Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
What Buyers Say
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
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
This Sigma 70-300mm lens is widely praised for its excellent value, delivering sharp images, good bokeh, and a useful macro function at a budget price. Many users note it's ideal for amateur photographers, though the autofocus can be slow and noisy, and image quality softens slightly at 300mm without a tripod. Overall, it's considered a fantastic performance-to-price winner for those not needing professional-grade telephoto capabilities.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality
- Good bokeh effect
- Useful macro function
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Noisy autofocus motor
- Softness at 300mm without tripod
- Rotating front element for polarizers
- Weighty for long hikes
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 14 |
| Groups | 9 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Multi-layer lens coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 4-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.55 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 950 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:2★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong optical (86th percentile)86th %ile
Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong bokeh (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.