Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
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
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
The Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and excellent performance in low light and portraits. Users praise its clarity and value, though some note it may have focusing issues on older Pentax DSLR bodies. Overall, it is considered a superb lens that delivers professional-quality results.
Pros
- Razor sharp image quality
- Beautiful smooth bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
- Great for portraits and events
- Weather-sealed for outdoor use
Cons
- Potential focusing issues on older Pentax bodies
- Slightly large size
- Not as sharp as Carl Zeiss lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Pentax DA 21790 55mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 55 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 9 |
| Groups | 9 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Aero Bright coating, Super Protect (SP) coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax K |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.38 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | SDM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 0.3x★ |
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
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
- Strong build (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 2.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
