Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie: a compact and lightweight ultra wide-angle for APS-C

The Chinese optician Venus Optics presents a new pancake lens, the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie, which manages to combine a very wide angle of view with record compactness. As usual, Venus Optics plans to use its lens for several ecosystems.

In this case, the 10mm f/4 Cookie will be compatible with Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF, Nikon Z and Leica L mounts. If it can be mounted on a 24×36 camera, this 10mm is intended for hybrids equipped with APS-C sensor. In 35 mm format, the 10 mm focal length is equivalent to a 15 or 16 mm, depending on the manufacturer.

A pancake lens with a record angle of view

Venus Optics presents its Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie as the rectilinear pancake lens with the shortest focal length in the world. The rectilinear denomination indicates the absence of distortion, unlike a fisheye lens. We’ll be sure to verify that promise in our regular tests. With its angle of view of 109.3°, it is easily placed in the category of ultra-wide-angles.

The name Cookie of the Laowa 10mm f/4 is not insignificant, it is indeed a lens that is more commonly called pancake. This type of lens is characterized by its very short length, bringing it closer to the famous pancake – hence its name! Here, the 10mm f/4 Cookie measures only 25 mm, and its weight does not exceed 130 g.

A compact lens

As for the optical formula of the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie, it consists of 12 elements gathered in eight groups. In addition to its short focal length, it has a minimum focusing distance of 10 cm. In addition to the absence of distortions, Venus Optics promises good management of vignetting.

Finally, it is important to note that this lens does not include any electronics. The autofocus is thus absent, and no connection is made with the case. Lens EXIF ​​data will not appear on the files, and mechanical sensor stabilization will need to be manually adjusted if applicable.

Price and availability

The Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie will be released in September 2022. Available in gray or black, its E, X, RF, Z and L mount versions will all be available at the recommended retail price of €449.