Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, minimal distortion, and solid all-metal build, making it a favorite for real estate, architecture, and astrophotography. Users appreciate the value for money compared to pricier alternatives, though some note it is heavier than expected and lacks autofocus. A few reviewers report issues with infinity focus on Nikon bodies and poor customer support from Venus Optics, but overall sentiment remains very positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Minimal distortion (Zero-D)
- Solid all-metal build
- Great value for money
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- No autofocus
- Infinity focus issues on Nikon bodies
- Poor customer support from Venus Optics
- Lens cap not secure
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
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
Scores
Specifications
| Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 12 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 14 |
| Groups | 10 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Frog Eye Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.61 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | manual focus only | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 180 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.2x | 0.21x★ |
Pros & Cons
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
- Strong optical (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.