Sigma EX DG 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye 8mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Sigma EX DG 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye 8mm
The Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye lens is well-liked for its sharpness, color rendition, and unique circular fisheye effect. Users appreciate its ability to simplify handheld panoramic photography, though some note chromatic distortion and noise in dark corners. Compatibility with various Nikon bodies is generally good, but autofocus is not supported on entry-level DSLRs.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Unique circular fisheye effect
- Simplifies handheld panoramic photography
- Good color rendition
- Works with FTZ adapter on Z cameras
Cons
- Chromatic distortion (aurora) around image
- Noise in dark corners
- No autofocus on entry-level Nikon DSLRs
- Not a true full-frame lens (EX not FX)
- Requires manual focus on some bodies
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
| Sigma EX DG 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye 8mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | fisheye | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 8 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 11 | 15 |
| Groups | 6 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/3.5 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 6 | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.40 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | — | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus (with Nikon Cameras That Have an Autofocus Motor) | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 135 mm★ | 230 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.6★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Sigma EX DG 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye 8mm
- Strong macro (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong social proof (71st percentile)
- Below average bokeh (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.