100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APOvs A6400
Laowa
100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO (2018)
Starting from £399 new
Best for Extreme macro & scientific photography
View 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Extreme Macro & Scientific Photography — 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO (2018): 2:1 magnification at a price no first-party lens can match — the specialist macro choice for Sony shooters who need maximum magnification.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The 100mm f/2.8 2x ultra macro apo is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO (2018) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £399 | £899 |
| Sensor | f/2.8 (max aperture) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | 22.6cm minimum focus distance (2:1 macro) | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Manual focus only — precision helicoid for close-up work | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (body IBIS or careful technique required) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 638g | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 73mm diameter × 123.5mm length | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | N/A | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Macro | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Video | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
More comparisons with 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
Camera family history