Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Rokinon SP RK3512-FX 35mm
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
Rokinon SP RK3512-FX 35mm
User experiences with this lens are mixed. One reviewer praised it for being sharp and joyful on a Fujifilm camera, noting only minor chromatic aberration issues. Another found it a great value, while a third user was disappointed enough by the build quality to return it. Compatibility questions confirm it works with Sony E mount but not with Canon EF/EF-S DSLR cameras like the 60D.
Pros
- Sharp from f/1.4 onward
- Joyful to use
- Great value for the price
- Compatible with Sony E mount
Cons
- Chromatic aberration on backlit subjects
- Softer at f/1.2 compared to f/1.4
- Poor build quality reported
- Not compatible with Canon EF/EF-S DSLRs
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Rokinon SP RK3512-FX 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 9 |
| Groups | 10 | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Ultra Multi-Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/1.2 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.42 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 340 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 1:5.9★ |
Pros & Cons
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
Rokinon SP RK3512-FX 35mm
- Strong macro (65th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.