Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM 35mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM 35mm
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast and silent autofocus, and beautiful rendering. Users highlight its versatility for portraits, landscapes, street photography, and even astrophotography, with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion when corrections are applied. A few note the reliance on digital corrections for distortion and vignetting, and some find the price steep, but the overwhelming sentiment is that it delivers outstanding image quality in a lighter, well-balanced package.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness wide open
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Beautiful bokeh and rendering
- Minimal chromatic aberration
- Versatile for multiple genres
Cons
- Relies on digital corrections for distortion
- High price point
- Noticeable vignetting without correction
- Some coma in extreme corners for astro
- No image stabilization
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM 35mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 15 |
| Groups | 11 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | Air Sphere (ASC) Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon RF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.56 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Nano USM★ | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | 7 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 280 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM 35mm
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
