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Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D MFT - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
(Micro-)Four-Thirds
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published January 2021
Introduction
Over the last few years, Laowa has created an arsenal of ultra-wide prime lenses across all relevant systems - and they are still looking for further niches in this segment. They just released the Laowa 10mm f/2 Zero-D MFT. Those who have followed their journey may be a bit surprised. After all, they are also offering a 7.5mm f/2 MFT and a 9mm f/2.8 which aren't all that old either. However, not everybody needs an extreme wide-angle lens and a 10mm lens ("20mm" full-format) is easier to handle. Beyond the paper-specs are some further differences. The most important evolution is certainly electronic coupling. While it is still a manual focus lens, it supports a camera-controlled aperture, EXIF data as well as an MFT-compliant correction profile. Thus in-camera image stabilization is also possible without any further configuration. Unlike its older cousins, it's a designated "Zero-D(istortion)" lens thus it has been optically rather than digitally optimized. At $399 (USD), it is also somewhat more affordable.
Another Laowa trademark is an ultra-compact design - and it doesn't really get much more compact and lightweight than the 10mm f/2. It's not a pancake lens yet but it comes very close and at just 125g, it's a feather-weight really. This is especially impressive because, given its maximum aperture of f/2, it's by no means a slow lens. Fortunately, the low weight doesn't have a negative impact on build quality. While the lens isn't weather-sealing it feels very sturdy thanks to a tightly assembled, all-metal body (including the tiny lens hood). The focus ring operates smoothly.
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length (full-format) | "20mm" (in terms of field-of-view) |
| Equiv. aperture (full-format) | "f/4" (in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 7 groups inc. 3x aspherical & 2x ELD elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 5 |
| min. focus distance | 0.12m (max. magnification 1:6.7) |
| Dimensions | 53x41mm |
| Weight | 125g |
| Filter size | φ46mm |
| Hood | petal-shaped, bayonet mount, supplied |
| Other features | - |
| Mount | Micro-Four-Thirds |
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