Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 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
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
The Sigma 500mm f/4 Sports lens wins strong praise for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and solid build. Users note it pairs well with Nikon Z-series cameras via the FTZ adapter and delivers excellent image quality for wildlife and bird photography, especially in low light. A few caution that it's heavy for prolonged handheld use, but most find it well-balanced. The lens is seen as a cost-effective alternative to pricier OEM primes, with the added benefit of customization via the Sigma Lens Dock.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Excellent low-light performance
- Well-balanced design
Cons
- Heavy for handheld use
- Expensive initial cost
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm | Sigma Sports 185955 500mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 500 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 16 |
| Groups | 9 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon F |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 3.17 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 46 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 3.50 m |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x★ | 0.15x |
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
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (75th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average build (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average macro (27th percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
No current pricing available
Sigma Sports 185955 500mm
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
