Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM
The Sigma 120-400mm lens receives mixed feedback. Many users praise its image quality, optical stabilization, and value for money compared to Canon's 100-400 L series, but note it is very heavy and requires good light for sharp results. A few reviewers experienced severe blurriness or autofocus issues, while others found it excellent for wildlife and sports photography when used correctly.
Pros
- Good image quality for the price
- Effective optical stabilization
- Quiet and fast HSM autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Good value compared to Canon 100-400 L
Cons
- Very heavy and bulky
- Requires good light for sharpness
- Lens creep when pointed down
- Autofocus can hunt or shake initially
- OS cannot be used on tripod
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
Scores
Specifications
| Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 120 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 400 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 21 | 14 |
| Groups | 15 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Super multi-layer coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 1.64 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | HSM | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 1.50 m | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.2★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average build (9th percentile)9th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
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
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.