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
Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

Sony
60 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

Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

85 out of 100 medium confidence 20 reviews

This lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and versatile focal range, making it a favorite among portrait and event photographers. However, its high price and considerable weight are common concerns, with some users noting it may not replace their prime lenses for all situations. Overall, it is considered a top-tier, albeit expensive, investment for serious shooters.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Versatile focal range
  • Fast f/2 aperture
  • Excellent build quality
Cons
  • High price
  • Heavy weight
  • Not a true prime replacement
  • Large size
👍 Image quality 8
👍 Build quality 4
🤔 Value for money 5
👎 Weight 3
👍 Focal range 4
👍 Autofocus 2

Scores

Portrait
Panasonic
89
Sony
57
Video Cinema
Panasonic
85
Sony
64
Street
Panasonic
84
Sony
56
Landscape
Panasonic
83
Sony
65
Budget
Panasonic
82
Sony
64
Travel
Panasonic
82
Sony
57
Professional
Panasonic
82
Sony
64
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
75
Sony
59
Macro
Panasonic
69
Sony
51

Specifications

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min8 mm50 mm
Focal Length Max18 mm150 mm
Elements1519
Groups1017
Aspherical Elements4★2
ED Elements35★
CoatingNano Surface CoatingNano AR Coating II
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/22
Min Aperture2.8-4f/2
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades711★
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsSony E
Formatmicro-four-thirdsfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.31 kg★1.34 kg
Filter Thread67 mm95 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF Type240-fps autofocus driveXD linear motors★
Stabilization✓★✗
Focus
Min Focus Distance230 mm★400 mm
Max Magnification0.12x0.2x★

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

Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

  • Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
  • Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
  • Strong versatility (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
  • Strong social proof (72nd percentile)
  • Below average build (19th percentile)19th %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
  • Below average macro (35th percentile)

Pricing

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

Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

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 4 of 21 specs.

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

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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