Compare
Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR vs Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D
Short answer
The Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR (8mm) and Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D (9mm) are both ultra-wide lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. The Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D is the faster lens at f/2.8 against f/3.5 on the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR. Only the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR has weather sealing, an aperture ring, and autofocus.
Evenly matched on paper
Side by side
| Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR | Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fujifilm | Laowa |
| Focal length | 8mm | 9mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 12mm | 14mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Autofocus | Yes | Manual focus |
| Optical stabilisation | No | — |
| Weather resistant | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Macro | No | — |
| Linear motor | No | — |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | — |
| Lens construction | 12 elements in 9 groups | — |
| Special elements | 3 aspherical and 2 ED elements | — |
| Angle of view | 121° | — |
| Minimum focus | 0.18 m | — |
| Maximum magnification | 0.07× | — |
| Weight | 215 g | — |
| Diameter | ⌀68 mm | — |
| Length | 52.8 mm | — |
| Filter thread | ⌀62 mm | — |
Where each one is ahead
Reasons to choose the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR
- Wider view 12 mm vs 14 mm
- Autofocus Yes vs Manual focus
Reasons to choose the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D
- Longer reach 14 mm vs 12 mm
- Maximum aperture f/2.8 vs f/3.5
Framing and reach
| Lens | Frames like | Horizontal view | Frame width at 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR | 12 mm | 111.5° | 29.4 m |
| Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D | 14 mm | 105.1° | 26.1 m |
The Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D gets 1.17× closer to the subject than the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR: whatever it points at fills 1.17× more of the frame edge to edge, or 1.4× more of its area. With the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR you would have to walk about 14% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 73% of the original pixels.
Angles and widths are calculated from focal length and sensor width, horizontally, on the native sensor of each mount.
What each one suits
| Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR | Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D | |
|---|---|---|
| Birds and wildlife | Poor | Poor |
| Sports | Poor | Poor |
| Portrait | Poor | Poor |
| Travel | Average | Fair |
| Street | Poor | Fair |
| Weddings | Average | Fair |
| Walk around | Fair | Fair |
| Vlogging | Very good | Average |
| Landscape | Excellent | Good |
| Macro | Poor | Poor |
Scored from the published specifications — focal length, aperture, stabilisation, weather sealing and weight. Sharpness, bokeh and rendering are not in a spec sheet and are not scored here.
Cameras that take both
Both lenses fit every interchangeable-lens X Series body — 34 in our list. Fixed-lens models such as the X100 series cannot take them.
Which one to choose
Choose the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR if
- you want more in the frame. It starts at 12 mm equivalent, against 14 mm on the other lens — interiors, landscapes and groups at close range.
Choose the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D if
- low light is the priority. At f/2.8 it lets in 0.6 stops more than f/3.5 — faster shutter speeds indoors and softer backgrounds.
Everything above comes from published specifications. How sharp each lens is, how quickly it focuses and what its pictures look like are not in any spec sheet, so this comparison does not try to judge them.
Common questions
Which is better in low light, the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR or the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D?
The Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D. At f/2.8 against f/3.5 it gathers 0.6 stops more light, which matters without flash and for background blur. Stabilisation can offset some of that for still subjects, but not for moving ones.
Will both lenses fit my camera?
Both use the Fujifilm X mount, so they fit any X Series camera with interchangeable lenses. They do not fit fixed-lens models such as the X100 series or GFX bodies.
compare.faqTitle
Which is better, the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR or the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D?
On paper they come out even across 22 compared specs. What is left is handling and today’s price, which this page does not measure.
Owner reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.
Built from the specifications Fujifilm publishes.