Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) vs Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8

The bottom line

These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) is 10mm, the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 is 50mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) for wide-angle, the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 for short-telephoto / portrait.

Choose the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) if…

  • You shoot wide — it starts at 10mm vs 50mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
  • You're on a budget — $149 vs $399 leaves more for other gear.
  • You value portability — at 105g (3.7 oz) it's lighter than the 300g (10.6 oz) alternative for travel and all-day carry.

Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 if…

  • You want more light and background blur — f/1.8 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation.
  • You need more reach — it goes to 50mm vs 10mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
  • You work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.

Where they differ

  • Aperture: the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 opens to f/1.8 vs the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount)'s f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
  • Focal range: Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) is 10mm, Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 is 50mm — different framing and reach.
  • Price: the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) is $149, $250 under the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8.
  • Weight: the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) is 105g (3.7 oz) vs 300g (10.6 oz) — you'll feel the difference handheld.
  • Durability: the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 is weather-sealed; the other isn't.

Frequently asked

Is the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) or the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 better?

These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) is 10mm, the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 is 50mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) for wide-angle, the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 for short-telephoto / portrait.

Who should choose the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount)?

Choose the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) if you shoot wide — it starts at 10mm vs 50mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you're on a budget — $149 vs $399 leaves more for other gear. Choose it if you value portability — at 105g (3.7 oz) it's lighter than the 300g (10.6 oz) alternative for travel and all-day carry.

Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8?

Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 if you want more light and background blur — f/1.8 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you need more reach — it goes to 50mm vs 10mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.

What is the main difference between the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount) and the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8?

Aperture: the Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 opens to f/1.8 vs the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie (L-mount)'s f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.

Product
Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8
Panasonic
$399
Optical Design
Focal Length10mm50mm
Lens TypePrimePrime
Optical Elements99
Optical Groups78
Aperture & Iris
Maximum Aperturef/4f/1.8
Minimum Aperturef/16f/16
Aperture Blades79
Rounded ApertureNoYes
Coverage & Angle
Format CoverageAPS-CFull-Frame
Lens MountL-MountL-Mount
Angle of View110°47°
35mm Equivalent15-15mm
Focus
AutofocusNoYes
Focus MotorStepping
Focus LimiterNoNo
AF/MF SwitchNoYes
Min Focus Distance12 cm45 cm
Max Magnification0.15x0.14x
Stabilization & Video
Optical StabilizationNoNo
Aperture RingNoNo
Declickable ApertureNoNo
ParfocalNoNo
Internal ZoomNoNo
General
Price (MSRP)$149$399
Filter Size49mm67mm
Diameter55mm73mm
Length20mm82mm
Weight105g (3.7 oz)300g (10.6 oz)
Weather SealedNoYes
Tripod CollarNoNo