Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
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
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 150-500mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent value compared to native telephoto zooms. Many users appreciate the extra reach and image quality, though the weight is a common concern, especially for handheld use. Some reviewers note trade-offs in low-light performance and stabilization, and a few report compatibility issues with teleconverters or defective copies.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great value for money
- Extra reach over 100-400mm
- Effective image stabilization (VC)
Cons
- Heavy for handheld use
- Average low-light performance
- Stabilization not as good as native lenses
- No teleconverter compatibility
- Some copies may be defective
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 150 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 25 |
| Groups | 9 | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 5★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | BBAR-G2 and fluorine coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 5-6.7 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 1.73 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear autofocus motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 600 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:3.1★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average build (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average social proof (25th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 2.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
