Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
What Buyers Say
Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm
The Viltrox lenses receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional value, sharp image quality, and solid build. Users praise the fast apertures and autofocus performance, though some note issues with chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes and noisy autofocus on certain models. Overall, these lenses are seen as a budget-friendly alternative that punches above their price point.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality wide open
- Solid metal construction
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Pleasing bokeh
Cons
- Chromatic aberration in high contrast
- Noisy autofocus in video
- Slow autofocus in low light
- No weather sealing
- Front-heavy on small bodies
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 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
| Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 9 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 9 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 14 |
| Groups | 11 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | HD multilayer nano coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.17 kg★ | 0.31 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 130 mm★ | 150 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x | 0.21x★ |
Pros & Cons
Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Pricing
Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm offers 2.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
