Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm
What Buyers Say
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
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 is widely praised for its sharpness, lightweight design, and excellent value compared to pricier OEM alternatives like the Sony 70-200mm GM II. Users highlight fast autofocus, effective image stabilization, and solid build quality, making it a favorite for sports, wildlife, and everyday telephoto shooting. A few concerns include the lack of a 200mm reach, potential dust ingress on the extending front, and isolated reports of gray market units without full warranty. Overall, it delivers professional-grade results at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Lacks 200mm reach of competitors
- Extending front element may collect dust
- Gray market units without full warranty
- Not parfocal
- Incompatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 180 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 20 |
| Groups | 10 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.85 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 1:2.6★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 180mm
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong versatility (78th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
