Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm
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
7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm
This manual 12mm f/2.8 lens receives mostly positive reviews for its solid metal build and good image quality at a low price point. While many users love it for product videos and astrophotography, some report sharpness issues, severe flare when pointed near light sources, and the lack of camera recognition on certain bodies. It's best considered a budget specialty lens rather than an everyday general-purpose optic.
Pros
- Solid all-metal build
- Good image quality for the price
- Great value for money
- Smooth focusing rings
- Excellent for astrophotography
Cons
- Not sharp in corners
- Horrible flare near light sources
- Camera may not recognize lens
- Manual focus only
- Short focusing range
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | 7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 12 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 12 |
| Groups | 10 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 3★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.30 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 0.15m★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong build (74th percentile)
- Strong social proof (66th percentile)
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
