Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its excellent optical performance, sturdy yet lightweight build, and fast autofocus. Users highlight its versatility as a workhorse zoom for both photo and video, with particular appreciation for the linear focus mode on compatible cameras. A few note the shallow depth of field is limited due to the Micro Four Thirds system, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent optical performance
- Sturdy yet lightweight build
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Versatile zoom range
- Linear focus mode for video
Cons
- Limited shallow depth of field
- Focus-by-wire system not linear
- No built-in gear ring for cine use
- Slight chromatic aberration in high contrast
Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast f/1.4 aperture, and beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite for low-light and portrait photography on APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its solid build quality and excellent value for money. However, some reviewers report inconsistent autofocus, particularly at longer distances, and occasional chromatic aberration or vignetting wide open. A few copies have exhibited noisy or unreliable AF motors, especially in video mode.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Beautiful bokeh
- Solid build quality
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Inconsistent autofocus at distance
- Chromatic aberration wide open
- Vignetting wide open
- Noisy AF motor in some copies
- Soft corners at f/1.4
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm | Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 30 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 30 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 7 |
| Groups | 9 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.27 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 400 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:7.14★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
Sigma EX DC 30mm f/1.4 EX DC 30mm
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.