Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Panasonic
96 Overall Score
vs
Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 70-200mm

Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 70-200mm

Sony
70 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

92 out of 100 medium confidence 22 reviews

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
👍 Optical performance 7
👍 Build quality 6
👍 Autofocus speed 5
👍 Versatility 4
👍 Video features 3
👎 Depth of field 2

Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 70-200mm

88 out of 100 high confidence 451 reviews

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is overwhelmingly praised for its exceptional sharpness, blazing-fast autofocus, and noticeably lighter weight compared to its predecessor. Users highlight its superb build quality, smooth bokeh, and versatility for sports, portraits, and low-light photography. A few complaints mention high cost, occasional autofocus issues, and a heavy tripod collar, but the vast majority consider it a top-tier professional lens worth the investment.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Blazing-fast autofocus
  • Lighter than previous version
  • Superb build quality
  • Beautiful bokeh
Cons
  • High price
  • Heavy tripod collar
  • Occasional autofocus issues
  • Bulky for some users
  • Focus ring noise
👍 Image quality 35
👍 Autofocus performance 28
👍 Weight and portability 25
👍 Build quality 20
👍 Bokeh 15
🤔 Value for money 18

Scores

Video Cinema
Panasonic
98
Sony
64
Professional
Panasonic
92
Sony
66
Landscape
Panasonic
91
Sony
79
Portrait
Panasonic
90
Sony
54
Budget
Panasonic
90
Sony
71
Street
Panasonic
83
Sony
53
Travel
Panasonic
83
Sony
62
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
78
Sony
64
Macro
Panasonic
76
Sony
58

Specifications

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mmSony G Master SEL70200GM2 70-200mm
Optics
Typezoomtelephoto
Focal Length Min12 mm70 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm200 mm
Elements1423
Groups918
Aspherical Elements4★2
ED Elements16★
CoatingNano Surface CoatingNano AR Coating II
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/22
Min Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Constant✓✓
Diaphragm Blades711★
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsSony E
Formatmicro-four-thirdsfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.31 kg★1.48 kg
Filter Thread58 mm77 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusDual Linear & Super Sonic Wave AF Motors
Stabilization✓✓
Stabilization Stops5 stops5 stops
Focus
Min Focus Distance150 mm★960 mm
Max Magnification0.21x0.25x★

Pros & Cons

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

  • Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
  • Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
  • Strong aperture (87th percentile)87th %ile
  • Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile

Sony G Master SEL70200GM2 70-200mm

  • Strong optical (100th percentile)100th %ile
  • Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
  • Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
  • Below average build (17th percentile)17th %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average macro (29th percentile)

Verdict

★ Winner: Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports