Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2.0 Series 40mm
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
Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2.0 Series 40mm
The Zeiss 85mm f/1.8 Batis lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent color rendering. Users praise its lightweight design and compatibility with Sony full-frame cameras, particularly the a7 series. A few minor concerns include the lens hood being slightly long and the need for thin ND filters to avoid vignetting, but overall it is considered a phenomenal lens for both professional and street photography.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent color rendering
- Lightweight design
- Great build quality
Cons
- Lens hood slightly long
- Thin ND filters needed to avoid vignetting
- Price may be high for some
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2.0 Series 40mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 40 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 40 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 9 |
| Groups | 9 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 16★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 1.49 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 430 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2.0 Series 40mm
- Strong bokeh (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong aperture (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Below average build (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average optical (34th percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 22 specs.