Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4

Panasonic
89 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm

Nikon
66 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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm

78 out of 100 high confidence 54 reviews

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its excellent value, sharpness, and fast f/2.8 aperture, making it a popular choice for portraits, events, and general photography. Many users find it a great budget alternative to the more expensive 24-70mm f/2.8 S, noting only minor differences in image quality. However, some reviewers report issues with autofocus reliability, softness at wide apertures, and noticeable vignetting, which can be a concern for professional work. Overall, it is seen as a solid, affordable lens for enthusiasts and those new to the Z system.

Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Sharp image quality
  • Fast f/2.8 aperture
  • Lightweight and balanced
  • Great for portraits and events
Cons
  • Autofocus reliability issues
  • Softness at wide apertures
  • Noticeable vignetting
  • Not as sharp as S-line lenses
  • Build quality feels cheaper
👍 Value for money 12
🤔 Image sharpness 10
🤔 Autofocus performance 8
🤔 Build quality 7
👎 Vignetting 5
👍 Bokeh 4

Scores

Portrait
Panasonic
89
Nikon
49
Video Cinema
Panasonic
85
Nikon
59
Street
Panasonic
84
Nikon
57
Landscape
Panasonic
83
Nikon
72
Budget
Panasonic
82
Nikon
68
Professional
Panasonic
82
Nikon
68
Travel
Panasonic
82
Nikon
66
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
75
Nikon
61
Macro
Panasonic
69
Nikon
75

Specifications

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min8 mm28 mm
Focal Length Max18 mm75 mm
Elements1515
Groups1012
Aspherical Elements4★3
ED Elements3★2
CoatingNano Surface Coatingantifouling coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/22
Min Aperture2.8-4f/2.8
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsNikon Z
Formatmicro-four-thirdsfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.31 kg★0.56 kg
Filter Thread67 mm67 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF Type240-fps autofocus driveStepping Motor★
Stabilization✓★✗
Focus
Min Focus Distance230 mm190 mm★
Max Magnification0.12x1:2.94★

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm

  • Strong optical (89th percentile)89th %ile
  • Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong macro (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
  • Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
  • Below average stabilization (34th percentile)

Pricing

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm

No current pricing available

Verdict

★ Winner: Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4

Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 Better at:

BudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 28mm Better at:

Macro

Also Consider