Sony E SEL30M35 30mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Sony E SEL30M35 30mm
This Sony 30mm macro lens is widely praised for its sharpness, compact size, and excellent value, especially for beginners and hobbyists. Users love its macro capabilities and versatility as a standard prime, but many note the short working distance and slow autofocus as drawbacks. Overall, it's a great budget-friendly option for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Great value for money
- True 1:1 macro magnification
- Versatile as standard prime
Cons
- Short working distance
- Slow autofocus
- Soft corners
- No image stabilization
- Lens hood incompatible with filters
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 E SEL30M35 30mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | macro | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 30 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 30 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 7 | 14 |
| Groups | 6 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Multi-Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.14 kg★ | 0.31 kg |
| Filter Thread | 49 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 95 mm★ | 150 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:1★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Sony E SEL30M35 30mm
- Strong macro (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd 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
Sony E SEL30M35 30mm offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
