Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Sirui Cine Lenses 20mm T1.8 1.33X Anamorphic 20mm
What Buyers Say
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
Sirui Cine Lenses 20mm T1.8 1.33X Anamorphic 20mm
The Sirui anamorphic lens receives high praise for its cinematic image quality, fast autofocus, and solid build, with many users noting it delivers a "movie-like" look straight out of camera. However, a few reviewers report issues with video distortion and inconsistent packaging, and one Dutch user found the glass quality and sharpness underwhelming for photography. Overall, it is a beloved lens for video work, especially on Sony, Blackmagic, and Panasonic cameras, but not without some caveats.
Pros
- Cinematic image quality
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Great character and sharpness
- Compact size and weight
Cons
- Distorted video quality on some cameras
- Inconsistent packaging (opened box)
- Underwhelming sharpness for photography
- Not the strongest anamorphic character
- Potential quality control issues
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Sirui Cine Lenses 20mm T1.8 1.33X Anamorphic 20mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 20 mm |
| Elements | 14 | — |
| Groups | 9 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 400 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
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
Sirui Cine Lenses 20mm T1.8 1.33X Anamorphic 20mm
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average optical (18th percentile)18th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 22 specs.
