Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) is 180mm, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) for telephoto, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Choose the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) if…
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 180mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You shoot close-ups — 1.5x magnification gets you true macro the other can't.
Choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/4.5, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You shoot wide — it starts at 50mm vs 180mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.4 vs the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount)'s f/4.5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) is 180mm, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Close-up: the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) reaches 1.5x magnification vs 0.15x — more for close-up and macro work.
Frequently asked
Is the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) or the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) is 180mm, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) for telephoto, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Who should choose the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount)?
Choose the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) if you need more reach — it goes to 180mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you shoot close-ups — 1.5x magnification gets you true macro the other can't.
Who should choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/4.5, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 50mm vs 180mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
What is the main difference between the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount) and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Aperture: the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.4 vs the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra Macro APO (L-mount)'s f/4.5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 180mm | 50mm |
| Lens Type | Prime | Prime |
| Optical Elements | 12 | 17 |
| Optical Groups | 9 | 13 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 7 | 11 |
| Rounded Aperture | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Lens Mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Angle of View | 14° | 47° |
| 35mm Equivalent | − | − |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | No | Yes |
| Focus Motor | − | HLA |
| Focus Limiter | No | No |
| AF/MF Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Min Focus Distance | 22 cm | 40 cm |
| Max Magnification | 1.5x | 0.15x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Declickable Aperture | No | Yes |
| Parfocal | No | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $999 | $999 |
| Filter Size | 67mm | 72mm |
| Diameter | 82mm | 80.2mm |
| Length | 214mm | 111.3mm |
| Weight | 670g (1.48 lb) | 665g (1.47 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
