Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Panasonic
90 Overall Score
vs
Canon L RF 85mm f/1.2L USM 85mm

Canon L RF 85mm f/1.2L USM 85mm

Canon
52 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

85 out of 100 medium confidence 21 reviews

This Panasonic Leica 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, solid build, and constant aperture, making it a versatile workhorse for both photo and video on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Users highlight its impressive image quality that rivals larger formats, fast and reliable autofocus, and effective image stabilization, especially when paired with compatible bodies. A few note the lens is somewhat heavy and that depth of field at f/2.8 is limited on MFT, but overall it is considered a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality standard zoom.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Constant f/2.8 aperture
  • Solid build quality
  • Fast and reliable autofocus
  • Effective image stabilization
Cons
  • Somewhat heavy
  • Limited depth of field at f/2.8 on MFT
  • Image stabilization barely noticeable at wide angles
  • Not as sharp as prime lenses
  • Plastic lens hood
👍 Image quality 12
👍 Build quality 8
👍 Autofocus performance 6
🤔 Image stabilization 7
👎 Weight 4
👍 Value for money 5

Canon L RF 85mm f/1.2L USM 85mm

85 out of 100 low confidence 7 reviews

Users rave about the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lens for its exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh, especially in portraiture. Many emphasize that mastering the shallow depth of field at f/1.2 requires practice, but the results are rewarding. The lens pairs well with modern cameras like the Sony A9II and Canon R system, delivering fast and accurate autofocus. A few note the need for a tripod and the lens's weight, but overall sentiment is highly positive.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Fast f/1.2 aperture
  • Excellent for portraits
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
  • Requires practice to master f/1.2
  • Heavy weight
  • Tripod recommended for wide open
  • Chromatic aberration issues
  • Shallow depth of field challenging
👍 Sharpness 4
👍 Bokeh 3
👍 Portrait photography 5
👍 Autofocus performance 3
👍 Build quality 2
🤔 Learning curve 2

Scores

Video Cinema
Panasonic
100
Canon
51
Professional
Panasonic
92
Canon
52
Landscape
Panasonic
91
Canon
41
Budget
Panasonic
90
Canon
58
Street
Panasonic
84
Canon
49
Portrait
Panasonic
83
Canon
46
Travel
Panasonic
82
Canon
37
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
78
Canon
55
Macro
Panasonic
76
Canon
38

Specifications

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mmCanon L RF 85mm f/1.2L USM 85mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min12 mm85 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm85 mm
Elements148
Groups97
Aspherical Elements4★1
ED Elements11
CoatingNano Surface CoatingAir Sphere Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/16
Min Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
Constant✓✓
Diaphragm Blades78★
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsCanon RF
Formatmicro-four-thirdsfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.31 kg★1.19 kg
Filter Thread58 mm82 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusUSM★
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops5 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance150 mm★950 mm
Max Magnification0.21x★0.12x

Pros & Cons

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

  • Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong optical (87th percentile)87th %ile
  • Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong social proof (85th percentile)85th %ile

Canon L RF 85mm f/1.2L USM 85mm

  • Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
  • Strong af (94th percentile)94th %ile
  • Below average build (24th percentile)
  • Below average macro (29th percentile)
  • Below average bokeh (33rd percentile)
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Verdict

★ Winner: Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports