Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

Panasonic
95 Overall Score
vs
Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

Tamron
84 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

92 out of 100 medium confidence 22 reviews

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
👍 Optical performance 7
👍 Build quality 6
👍 Autofocus speed 5
👍 Versatility 4
👍 Video features 3
👎 Depth of field 2

Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

88 out of 100 high confidence 117 reviews

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is widely praised as a versatile, all-in-one zoom lens that delivers exceptional sharpness and fast autofocus across its entire range. Many users, including professional event and wedding photographers, have replaced multiple primes or zooms with this single lens, citing its f/2-2.8 aperture and 35-150mm reach as ideal for portraits, sports, and travel. The main drawbacks are its significant weight and size, with some noting it can be tiring for handheld use, and a few isolated complaints about packaging or slow focus for moving subjects. Overall, it is considered a game-changer for those who value convenience and image quality.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
  • Fast and reliable autofocus
  • Versatile 35-150mm focal length
  • Bright f/2-2.8 aperture
  • Excellent build quality
Cons
  • Heavy and bulky
  • No tripod collar included
  • Slow focus for moving subjects
  • Some vignetting at longer focal lengths
  • Packaging issues on delivery
👍 Image quality 35
👍 Autofocus performance 20
👍 Versatility 30
👎 Weight and size 25
👍 Build quality 15
👍 Value for money 10

Scores

Video Cinema
Panasonic
100
Tamron
79
Professional
Panasonic
92
Tamron
80
Landscape
Panasonic
91
Tamron
72
Budget
Panasonic
90
Tamron
79
Portrait
Panasonic
88
Tamron
87
Macro
Panasonic
75
Tamron
86
Travel
Panasonic
83
Tamron
69
Street
Panasonic
82
Tamron
69
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
78
Tamron
70

Specifications

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mmTamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min12 mm35 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm150 mm
Elements1421
Groups915
Aspherical Elements4★3
ED Elements14★
CoatingNano Surface CoatingBBAR-G2 Coating, Fluorine Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2
Min Aperturef/2.82-2.8
Constant✓✓
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsNikon Z
Formatmicro-four-thirdsfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.31 kg★1.87 kg
Filter Thread58 mm82 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusVXD
Stabilization✓✓
Stabilization Stops5 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance150 mm150 mm
Max Magnification0.21x1:5.55★

Pros & Cons

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

  • Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
  • Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
  • Strong optical (86th percentile)86th %ile

Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

  • Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
  • Strong bokeh (94th percentile)94th %ile
  • Strong aperture (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
  • Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
  • Below average build (14th percentile)14th %ile
  • Below average social proof (15th percentile)15th %ile

Verdict

★ Winner: Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

Scores 95 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm Better at:

BudgetStreetTravelLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

Tamron Di III 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD Better at:

Macro