Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a lens that divides opinion. Many users adore its dreamy, characterful rendering, creamy bokeh, and beautiful color, especially for portraits and low-light work. However, a significant number report issues with slow and unreliable autofocus, softness wide open, and a high price tag that doesn't always match the optical performance. It's a lens that rewards skill and patience but can frustrate those seeking clinical sharpness and fast, consistent AF.
Pros
- Beautiful creamy bokeh
- Dreamy, characterful rendering
- Excellent color and contrast
- Solid build quality
- Great for portraits and low light
Cons
- Slow and unreliable autofocus
- Soft wide open at f/1.2
- Very expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Noticeable chromatic aberration
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
| Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 8 | 15 |
| Groups | 6 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.2 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.95 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | USM★ | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.19x★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
- Below average macro (33rd 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 5 of 21 specs.