Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
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 21790 55mm
The Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and excellent performance in low light and portraits. Users praise its clarity and value, though some note it may have focusing issues on older Pentax DSLR bodies. Overall, it is considered a superb lens that delivers professional-quality results.
Pros
- Razor sharp image quality
- Beautiful smooth bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
- Great for portraits and events
- Weather-sealed for outdoor use
Cons
- Potential focusing issues on older Pentax bodies
- Slightly large size
- Not as sharp as Carl Zeiss lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Pentax DA 21790 55mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 55 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 9 |
| Groups | 10 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Aero Bright coating, Super Protect (SP) coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax K |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.38 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | SDM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 0.3x★ |
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 21790 55mm
- Strong build (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
