Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm
What Buyers Say
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
Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm
The Tamron 18-200mm lens is praised for its versatility and value, offering a convenient all-in-one zoom range that eliminates the need to switch lenses. While image quality is generally good, some users report issues like softness at the long end, vignetting at 18mm, and lens creep, though these can often be mitigated by sending the lens to Tamron for adjustment or using simple fixes. Focus speed is adequate for most needs but can be slow in low light or live view, and the manual focus is noisy, which is a drawback for video. Overall, it is considered a great budget-friendly option for hobbyists and entry-level photographers.
Pros
- Versatile all-in-one zoom range
- Good value for money
- Decent image quality for the price
- Lightweight and portable
- Includes tulip lens hood
Cons
- Softness at 200mm end
- Vignetting at 18mm
- Lens creep when pointed up/down
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Noisy manual focus for video
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 17 |
| Groups | 9 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Internal Surface coatings, multiple-layered coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/18 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon F |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.40 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Auto Focus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 498 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:3.7★ |
Pros & Cons
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
Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (21st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.