Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) vs Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 17.5mm, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is 100-400mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) for macro, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) for super-telephoto.
Choose the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.7 is faster than f/5, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You shoot wide — it starts at 17.5mm vs 100mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
- ✓You shoot close-ups — 10x magnification gets you true macro the other can't.
- ✓You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 17.5mm prime over a zoom.
Choose the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) if…
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 400mm vs 17.5mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You want one-lens flexibility — a 100-400mm zoom covers what the fixed 17.5mm can't reframe.
- ✓You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) opens to f/1.7 vs the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)'s f/5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 17.5mm, Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is 100-400mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Type: the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is a zoom (flexible framing), the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
- ›Stabilisation: only the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
- ›Close-up: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) reaches 10x magnification vs 0.24x — more for close-up and macro work.
- ›Weight: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 570g (1.26 lb) vs 1135g (2.50 lb) — you'll feel the difference handheld.
Frequently asked
Is the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) or the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 17.5mm, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) is 100-400mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) for macro, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) for super-telephoto.
Who should choose the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount)?
Choose the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.7 is faster than f/5, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 17.5mm vs 100mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you shoot close-ups — 10x magnification gets you true macro the other can't. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 17.5mm prime over a zoom.
Who should choose the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)?
Choose the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount) if you need more reach — it goes to 400mm vs 17.5mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 100-400mm zoom covers what the fixed 17.5mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
What is the main difference between the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) and the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)?
Aperture: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) opens to f/1.7 vs the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (L-mount)'s f/5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 17.5mm | 100-400mm |
| Lens Type | Prime | Zoom |
| Optical Elements | 17 | 22 |
| Optical Groups | 12 | 16 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.7 | f/5 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/5.6 | f/32 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 | 9 |
| Rounded Aperture | No | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Lens Mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Angle of View | − | 24° – 6° |
| 35mm Equivalent | − | − |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | No | Yes |
| Focus Motor | − | HLA |
| Focus Limiter | No | Yes |
| AF/MF Switch | No | Yes |
| Min Focus Distance | − | 112 cm |
| Max Magnification | 10x | 0.24x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Aperture Ring | Yes | No |
| Declickable Aperture | No | No |
| Parfocal | Yes | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $749 | $759 |
| Filter Size | 42mm | 67mm |
| Diameter | 70.2mm | 86mm |
| Length | 127.5mm | 197.2mm |
| Weight | 570g (1.26 lb) | 1135g (2.50 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
