Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
What Buyers Say
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
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
The Laowa 4mm f/2.8 fisheye is a fun, ultra-wide lens that delivers a unique circular image at a very low price. Users praise its sharpness and build quality, but note that it requires careful handling to avoid including fingers, grips, or lens markings in the frame. Compatibility with full-frame cameras is limited, often requiring cropping, and manual focus can be tricky. Overall, it's seen as a great value for creative or occasional use.
Pros
- Very low price
- Unique circular fisheye image
- Sharp image quality
- Fun and creative perspective
- Compact and sturdy build
Cons
- Fingers and grip visible in frame
- Manual focus can be tricky
- Limited compatibility with full-frame cameras
- Requires cropping to remove black edges
- Lens markings appear in images
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | fisheye |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 4 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 4 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 7 |
| Groups | 10 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 3★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.14 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm | 80 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 1:9.09★ |
Pros & Cons
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 (84th percentile)84th %ile
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average optical (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average bokeh (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.