Sony G Master SEL600F40GM 600mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Sony G Master SEL600F40GM 600mm
The Sony 600mm f/4 GM is widely praised as the ultimate telephoto prime for wildlife and bird photography. Users consistently highlight its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and superb balance that makes hand-held shooting feasible despite its size. While the high price and need for a specialized bag are noted, the optical performance and build quality are considered unmatched.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Superb balance for hand-held use
- Excellent build quality
- Great with teleconverters
Cons
- Very high price
- Requires specialized camera bag
- Long minimum focus distance
- Heavy and bulky
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Sony G Master SEL600F40GM 600mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | super-telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 600 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 600 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 24 | 15 |
| Groups | 24 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 3 | 3 |
| Coating | Nano AR Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/4 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 3.04 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 41 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | XD linear motor★ | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 4.50 m | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.14x★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Sony G Master SEL600F40GM 600mm
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average build (7th percentile)7th %ile
- Below average macro (24th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.