Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Canon L-Series RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM 20mm
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
Canon L-Series RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM 20mm
This Canon RF lens lineup receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with users praising exceptional sharpness, fast and silent autofocus, and a lightweight, compact design that is ideal for both photography and video. Many reviewers highlight its outstanding performance for astrophotography, noting minimal coma and excellent star rendering wide open. A few criticisms mention heavy reliance on digital corrections, noticeable uncorrected vignetting, and some distortion, but these are generally seen as acceptable trade-offs for the size, weight, and price. Overall, it is considered a significant upgrade over older EF lenses and a top choice for hybrid shooters.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Excellent for astrophotography
- Minimal coma and aberrations
Cons
- Heavy reliance on digital corrections
- Noticeable uncorrected vignetting
- Some distortion and color fringing
- No image stabilization
- Loose, clunking elements (one report)
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Canon L-Series RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM 20mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 20 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 15 |
| Groups | 10 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 3 | 3 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Canon SSC (Super Spectra Coating); SWC (Sub-Wavelength structure coating; ASC (Air Sphere Coating); Fluorine protective coating on front element |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 11★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.52 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | VCM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm | 200 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 0.19x★ |
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
Canon L-Series RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM 20mm
- Strong optical (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong build (68th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Canon L-Series RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM 20mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
