Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
Both are Nikon Z 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 16mm at the wide end
Pick the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A if
- You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
- You need more reach: 50mm vs 16mm at the long end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.2 m
- You want bigger close-ups: 0.22× vs 0.13× maximum magnification
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 7 aperture blades vs 5
Spec differences
12 differences| Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF | Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Laowa
|
Tamron
|
| Type |
Wide Zoom
|
Zoom
|
| Format |
APS-C
|
not listed
|
| Focal length |
8-16mm
|
16-50mm
|
| Max aperture |
f/3.5
|
f/2.8
⅔ stop faster
|
| Filter thread |
86 mm
|
55 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.2 m
|
0.15 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.13×
|
0.22×
larger
|
| Aperture blades |
5
|
7
more blades
|
| Optical design |
16 elements / 12 groups
|
14 elements / 10 groups
|
| Weather sealing |
not listed
|
Yes
|
| Released |
not listed
|
2026
|
2 identical specs hidden: mount, image stabilization. Show all
- Mount
- Nikon Z both
- Image stabilization
- No both
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