Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
Both are Nikon Z wide zoom lenses. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF if
- You want a wider view: 8mm vs 12mm at the wide end
Pick the Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 if
- You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
- You need more reach: 20mm vs 16mm at the long end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.18 m vs 0.2 m
- You want bigger close-ups: 0.17× vs 0.13× maximum magnification
- You shoot full frame: the Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF is made for APS-C
Spec differences
12 differences| Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF | Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Laowa
|
Tamron
|
| Format |
APS-C
|
Full frame
|
| Focal length |
8-16mm
|
12-20mm
|
| Max aperture |
f/3.5
|
f/2.8
⅔ stop faster
|
| Diameter |
not listed
|
90 mm
|
| Filter thread |
86 mm
|
not listed
|
| Min focus distance |
0.2 m
|
0.18 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.13×
|
0.17×
larger
|
| Aperture blades |
5
|
12
more blades
|
| Optical design |
16 elements / 12 groups
|
17 elements / 12 groups
|
| Weather sealing |
not listed
|
Yes
|
| Released |
not listed
|
2026
|
3 identical specs hidden: mount, type, image stabilization. Show all
- Mount
- Nikon Z both
- Type
- Wide Zoom both
- Image stabilization
- No both
More comparisons
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Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
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Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S vs Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF
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Nikon Nikkor Z 17-28mm F2.8 vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
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Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF vs Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary
wider (8mm) vs more reach (300mm)
Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
wider (8mm) vs more reach (20mm)