Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) vs Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3
Key differences
- —The 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) is 1030g lighter (500g vs 1530g).
- —The 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) is faster: f/4.5 vs f/5 (≈0.3 stops more light).
- —At launch the 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) cost $1,696 less ($499 vs $2,195).
- —The 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) is manual focus only.
- —For close-ups the 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) reaches 1.50× vs 0.24×.
Which to choose
- 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount)
Choose it for:
- +The lightest option: 500g, 1030g less than the next
- +The brightest aperture: f/4.5, about 0.3 stop more light
- +The best close-ups: 1.50× magnification
- +A physical aperture ring
- +The lowest launch price: $499, $1,696 less
- Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3
Choose it for:
- +The widest view: starts at 100mm
- +The longest reach: up to 400mm
- +Autofocus
- +Optical stabilisation
- +Weather sealing
Computed from published specs, confirmed launch prices and, where every lens has at least two reviews, review scores.
- Mount
- L-Mount (FF)
- L-Mount (FF)
- Focal length
- 180mm
- 100–400mm
- Max aperture
- F4.5◆
- F5–6.3
- Weight
- 500g◆
- 1,530g
- Dimensions ⌀ × L
- 67.6 × 134.4mm
- 88.0 × 198.0mm
- Volume
- 482 cm³◆
- 1204 cm³
- Density
- 1.04 g/cm³
- 1.27 g/cm³
- Filter thread
- ⌀62mm
- ⌀82mm
- Min focus
- 0.30m◆
- 1.10m
- Max magnification
- 1.50×◆
- 0.24×
- Elements / groups
- 12 / 9
- 22 / 16
- Aperture blades
- 9
- 9
- Focus drive
- Manual Helicoid
- AF motor (type not published)
- Stabilisation
- —
- Yes
- Weather sealed
- —
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- Yes
- —
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- MSRP (USD)
- $499◆
- $2,195
- Sharpness
- 8.5
- 8.6◆
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.0◆
- 7.8
- Autofocus Speed
- MF
- 8.3
- Flare Resistance
- —
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.5
- 9.0◆
- Value / Size
- 8.3◆
- 7.0
Performance overlay
- 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount)
- Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3
◆ marks the best value in a row. Scores are 0–10 editorial ratings.