Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Panasonic
89 Overall Score
vs
Mitakon Zhongyi Freewalker 42.5mm f/1.2 (M43) 42mm
Mitakon Zhongyi
32 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
88 out of 100 medium confidence 18 reviews
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
Image quality 12
Build quality 8
Value for money 6
Portability 5
Filter compatibility 4
Autofocus performance 3
Mitakon Zhongyi Freewalker 42.5mm f/1.2 (M43) 42mm
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Portrait
Video Cinema
Street
Landscape
Budget
Professional
Travel
Wildlife Sports
Macro
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Mitakon Zhongyi Freewalker 42.5mm f/1.2 (M43) 42mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | standard |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 42 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 42 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 9 |
| Groups | 10 | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 3★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/1.2 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 49 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
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
Mitakon Zhongyi Freewalker 42.5mm f/1.2 (M43) 42mm
- Strong build (73rd percentile)
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average optical (33rd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Mitakon Zhongyi Freewalker 42.5mm f/1.2 (M43) 42mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Winner: Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
