Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR 16mm
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
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR 16mm
This lens is widely praised as one of Fujifilm's best, with exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and a very close focusing distance that makes it versatile for portraits, landscapes, and street photography. Users love the solid build quality and weather sealing, though some note the aperture ring is too loose and the lens is heavy and pricey. Overall, it's a must-have for serious Fuji shooters.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Close focusing capability
- Solid build quality
- Weather sealing
Cons
- Loose aperture ring
- Heavy and bulky
- Expensive
- Plastic lens hood
- Autofocus noise in video
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR 16mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 16 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 13 |
| Groups | 9 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Nano-GI and HT-EBC |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.38 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm | 150 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 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
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR 16mm
- Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong optical (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong build (79th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 1.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
