Venus Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6

Sony E

Review

The Venus Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 is a unique zoom lens developed for Sony E-mount cameras, catering to landscape photographers, architectural enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of wide-angle photography. With its impressive range and innovative design, this lens has garnered attention for its ability to produce stunning images with minimal distortion, a common issue in ultra-wide lenses.

One of the standout features of the Laowa 12-24mm is its exceptional build quality. The lens feels robust and well-constructed, which is something you would expect from Venus Optics. It includes a weather-sealed body, making it suitable for outdoor photography in various weather conditions. Coupled with a beautiful matte finish, this lens not only performs well but also looks elegant attached to your camera.

When it comes to optical performance, the Laowa 12-24mm does not disappoint. The lens offers sharpness across most of the frame, even at its widest aperture. Colors are rendered beautifully, with a remarkable contrast that adds depth to images. The lens minimizes chromatic aberration and barrel distortion, meaning that straight lines remain mostly intact even at ultra-wide angles, which is essential for architectural shots.

However, a few drawbacks need to be mentioned. The f/5.6 maximum aperture may feel limiting, especially for those looking to shoot in low-light conditions or achieve shallow depth-of-field effects. While this is typical for many ultra-wide zoom lenses, it could be a dealbreaker for some photographers. Additionally, the lens has no image stabilization, so users may need to rely on higher shutter speeds or stabilize their shots using a tripod to mitigate any camera shake.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent build quality with weather sealing.
• Minimal distortion and chromatic aberration.
• Sharpness is impressive, even at wide apertures.
• Great for landscape and architectural photography.

Cons

• Maximum aperture of f/5.6 might be limiting for low-light conditions.
• Lacks image stabilization.

Verdict

The Venus Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 for Sony E-mount is an outstanding choice for photographers who value image quality and robust construction in a wide-angle lens. Despite its limitations with low-light performance and lack of stabilization, its optical prowess and unique design make it an excellent addition to any wide-angle lens collection. If you're passionate about landscape or architectural photography and seek a lens that offers exceptional clarity and minimal distortion, the Laowa 12-24mm is certainly worth considering.