Leica 11647 21mm
As the only 21mm lens for compact systems with an f/1.4 aperture, it combines an ultra-wide perspective with extremely shallow depth of field for dramatic subject isolation. Its floating element design maintains superb resolution even at the 0.7m close-focus limit, while vignetting and distortion are practically invisible. This lens is best for portrait and reportage photographers who need to separate a subject from a sweeping environmental context in low light.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong aperture (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong bokeh (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong stabilization (83rd percentile) 83rd
Cons
- Below average social proof (7th percentile)
- Below average optical (21st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 2 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 21 |
| Focal Length Max | 21 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
Build
| Mount | Leica M |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 21 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Leica 11647 21mm | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 21mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 16-28mm | 12-60mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Mount | Leica M | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | - | 544 | 450 | 450 | 320 | 420 |
| AF Type | - | RXD | Stepping Motor | Stepping AF Motor | linear motor | SSM |
| Lens Type | - | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica 11647 21mm | 53.7 | 94.5 | 34.3 | 98.6 | 21 | 96.8 | 33.3 | 6.7 | 83.4 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.7 | 87.4 | 69.6 | 85.9 | 91 | 84.6 | 89.3 | 85 | 83.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.4 | 75.9 | 85.9 | 88 | 84.6 | 67.3 | 68.7 | 37.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.4 | 75.9 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.6 | 68 | 62.6 | 37.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98.1 | 87.4 | 84.6 | 51.9 | 91 | 84.6 | 93.1 | 67.7 | 83.4 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.4 | 78.5 | 77.7 | 34.1 | 88 | 67.2 | 92.4 | 55.5 | 93.4 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
