Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 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 VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 is widely praised for its sharpness, lightweight design, and excellent value compared to pricier OEM alternatives like the Sony 70-200mm GM II. Users highlight fast autofocus, effective image stabilization, and solid build quality, making it a favorite for sports, wildlife, and everyday telephoto shooting. A few concerns include the lack of a 200mm reach, potential dust ingress on the extending front, and isolated reports of gray market units without full warranty. Overall, it delivers professional-grade results at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Lacks 200mm reach of competitors
- Extending front element may collect dust
- Gray market units without full warranty
- Not parfocal
- Incompatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm | Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 180 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 20 |
| Groups | 9 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | BBAR-G2 |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.85 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops | 5 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:2.6★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong optical (86th percentile)86th %ile
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong versatility (78th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.