Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye
Laowa · 8–15 mm · f/2.8
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
50
SCORE /100
What We Like
+Unique zoom fisheye for mirrorless systems—only fisheye zoom ever made for mirrorless and fastest fisheye zoom ever made
+Dual fisheye effect in one lens: circular at 8mm (180°) and rectangular at 15mm (~175°) without changing lenses
+Constant f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range enables excellent low-light performance and astrophotography
+Exceptional close focus of 16cm (6.3 inches) with 0.23x magnification enables creative macro-style distortion
+Solid all-metal construction with smooth, tactile manual controls and excellent build quality
+Competitively priced at $699—roughly half the cost of discontinued Canon/Nikon DSLR fisheye zooms and available for modern mirrorless mounts
Worth Knowing
−No autofocus, no electronic contacts, and no EXIF data recording—fully manual operation requires careful focus confirmation
−No weather sealing or optical image stabilization despite all-metal build
−Sharpness at 15mm requires stopping down to f/5.6–f/8 for edge-to-edge crispness; off-center subjects blur at f/2.8
−Harsh, soap-bubble bokeh with specular highlights; awkward-looking intermediate focal lengths (9–14mm) between the two practical extremes
General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Laowa |
| Release Year | 2025 |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Sony E |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. | Sony E |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |  Full Frame |
Physical57/100 | |
| Lens Weight | 650 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point | 76.4 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. | 94.5 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. | No |
Optics67/100 | |
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) | 8–15 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) | 2.8 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 180°–175° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. | 18 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |  Manual |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture | 9020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |  Yes |
Zoom Mechanism ⓘSystem enabling zoom function |  Manual |
Zoom Ring ⓘIf zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring |  Yes |
Zoom Type ⓘThe design or approach to zooming |  Rotary |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. | 16 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced | 0.23x |
| Autofocus Mode | No |
| Manual Mode |  Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes |
Features | |
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. | No |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. | No |
| Built In Lens Hood | No |
Zoom Lock ⓘZoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length | No |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification | No |
| Image Stabilization | No |
Construction54/100 | |
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. | 13 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. | 2 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration | 4 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. | No |