Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
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 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Users are overwhelmingly positive about this Tamron 50-300mm lens, praising its versatility, sharpness, and lightweight design. It is seen as a great value for travel and outdoor photography, with impressive macro capability and fast autofocus. A few minor complaints include a non-smooth focus ring and limited aperture in low light, but these are considered acceptable for the price.
Pros
- Versatile zoom range
- Lightweight design
- Sharp image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Impressive macro capability
Cons
- Non-smooth focus ring
- Limited aperture in low light
- Not compatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 19 |
| Groups | 10 | 14 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | 22-32★ |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.67 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | VXD Linear Motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm | 221 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 1:2★ |
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
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 21 specs.
