Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

Panasonic
95 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

Nikon
75 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

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

85 out of 100 low confidence 5 reviews

Users praise this 35mm f/1.4 lens for its sharpness, character, and value, especially for low-light and portrait work on Nikon Z cameras. While it shows some chromatic aberration and softness wide open, these imperfections are easily corrected in post and add a desirable "3D pop." The build quality is considered adequate, and autofocus speed is satisfactory. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a lens with character rather than clinical perfection.

Pros
  • Sharpness
  • Character and 3D pop
  • Great value for money
  • Excellent for low light
  • Good autofocus speed
Cons
  • Chromatic aberration wide open
  • Softness at f/1.4
  • Not as sharp as S-line lenses
  • Plastic build feel
  • No weather sealing
👍 Sharpness 4
👎 Chromatic aberration 3
👍 Character and rendering 3
👍 Value for money 2
🤔 Build quality 2
👍 Autofocus speed 2

Scores

Video Cinema
Panasonic
97
Nikon
79
Professional
Panasonic
92
Nikon
77
Landscape
Panasonic
91
Nikon
61
Budget
Panasonic
89
Nikon
72
Portrait
Panasonic
88
Nikon
87
Travel
Panasonic
86
Nikon
57
Street
Panasonic
82
Nikon
75
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
78
Nikon
59
Macro
Panasonic
75
Nikon
57

Specifications

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mmNikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min12 mm35 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm35 mm
Elements1411
Groups99
Aspherical Elements4★1
ED Elements12★
CoatingNano Surface CoatingSuper Integrated Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
Min Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
Constant✓✓
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsNikon Z
Formatmicro-four-thirdsfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.31 kg★0.41 kg
Filter Thread58 mm62 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusSilent Wave Motor
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops5 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance150 mm★270 mm
Max Magnification0.21x★0.18x

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

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

  • Strong aperture (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong bokeh (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong social proof (77th percentile)
  • Strong build (77th percentile)
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Pricing

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm

No current pricing available

Nikon NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4 35mm

Verdict

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

Scores 95 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.

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

MacroBudgetStreetTravelLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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