Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm
The Sony/Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is praised for its exceptional optical quality, delivering tack-sharp images with smooth bokeh and minimal chromatic aberration. Users love it for wedding and portrait photography, but note it is very large and heavy for a mirrorless lens, making it less ideal for casual walk-around use. The build quality is rock-solid, and the aperture ring with de-click option is a nice bonus, though the price is high and the lens is specialized.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness wide open
- Smooth and pleasing bokeh
- Minimal chromatic aberration and distortion
- Rock-solid build quality
- Aperture ring with de-click option
Cons
- Very large and heavy for mirrorless
- Expensive price point
- Not ideal for casual walk-around use
- Focus-by-wire system
- Heavy for long carry
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its excellent optical performance, sturdy yet lightweight build, and fast autofocus. Users highlight its versatility as a workhorse zoom for both photo and video, with particular appreciation for the linear focus mode on compatible cameras. A few note the shallow depth of field is limited due to the Micro Four Thirds system, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent optical performance
- Sturdy yet lightweight build
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Versatile zoom range
- Linear focus mode for video
Cons
- Limited shallow depth of field
- Focus-by-wire system not linear
- No built-in gear ring for cine use
- Slight chromatic aberration in high contrast
Scores
Specifications
| Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 14 |
| Groups | 8 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano AR coating II | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.52 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | XD Linear Motors★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 300 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.23x★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong optical (77th percentile)
- Strong build (68th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
