Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) vs Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary (L-Mount)
Key differences
- —The 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount) is 635g lighter (500g vs 1135g).
- —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 $450 less ($499 vs $949).
- —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, 635g 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, $450 less
- +The sharpest results in reviews
- +The nicest background blur in reviews
- 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary (L-Mount)
Choose it for:
- +The widest view: starts at 100mm
- +The longest reach: up to 400mm
- +Autofocus
- +Optical stabilisation
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◆
- 1,135g
- Dimensions ⌀ × L
- 67.6 × 134.4mm
- 86.0 × 197.2mm
- Volume
- 482 cm³◆
- 1145 cm³
- Density
- 1.04 g/cm³
- 0.99 g/cm³
- Filter thread
- ⌀62mm
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.30m◆
- 1.12m
- Max magnification
- 1.50×◆
- 0.24×
- Elements / groups
- 12 / 9
- 22 / 16
- Aperture blades
- 9
- 9
- Focus drive
- Manual Helicoid
- Stepping Motor
- Stabilisation
- —
- Yes
- Weather sealed
- —
- —
- Aperture ring
- Yes
- —
- Released
- 2025
- 2020
- MSRP (USD)
- $499◆
- $949
- Sharpness
- 8.5◆
- 8.1
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.0◆
- 7.4
- Autofocus Speed
- MF
- 7.8
- Flare Resistance
- —
- 8.2
- Build / Sealing
- 8.5◆
- 7.9
- Value / Size
- 8.3
- 9.0◆
Performance overlay
- 180mm f/4.5 1.5X Ultra Macro APO (MF, L-Mount)
- 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary (L-Mount)
◆ marks the best value in a row. Scores are 0–10 editorial ratings.