Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Pentax DA 21987 35mm
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
Pentax DA 21987 35mm
This Pentax 35mm f/2.4 lens is widely praised for its sharpness, color rendition, and value for money. Users consistently note that it outperforms its price point, with many calling it a bargain and a great walk-around lens. The main criticisms are the plastic build and mount, lack of a lens hood, and limited manual focus control, but these are often seen as acceptable trade-offs for the price. Overall, it's highly recommended for Pentax DSLR users seeking an affordable prime.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Excellent value for money
- Compact and lightweight
- Good color rendition
- Fast autofocus
Cons
- Plastic build and mount
- No lens hood included
- Limited manual focus control
- No aperture ring
- Not weather-sealed
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Pentax DA 21987 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 6 |
| Groups | 10 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | PENTAX Super Protect (SP) coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/2.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | 6 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax K |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.13 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 49 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 0.17x★ |
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
Pentax DA 21987 35mm
- Strong build (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average bokeh (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
