Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra-Macro APO 180mm
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
This Panasonic Leica 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, solid build, and constant aperture, making it a versatile workhorse for both photo and video on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Users highlight its impressive image quality that rivals larger formats, fast and reliable autofocus, and effective image stabilization, especially when paired with compatible bodies. A few note the lens is somewhat heavy and that depth of field at f/2.8 is limited on MFT, but overall it is considered a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality standard zoom.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- Solid build quality
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
- Limited depth of field at f/2.8 on MFT
- Image stabilization barely noticeable at wide angles
- Not as sharp as prime lenses
- Plastic lens hood
Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra-Macro APO 180mm
The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 Ultra-Macro APO lens is highly praised for its sharpness, compact size, and lightweight design, especially compared to older Canon models. However, users note limitations with its autofocus, which is slow and has a minimum distance of 1.5m, and the lack of close AF for handheld macro work. A pleasant surprise is its image circle covering GFX sensors with only minor corner softness.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness and detail
- Lightweight and compact design
- 1.5:1 magnification ratio
- Surprising GFX sensor coverage
- Beautiful bokeh for macro
Cons
- Slow autofocus speed
- Minimum AF distance of 1.5m
- No close AF for handheld macro
- Manual focus needed for close range
- Tripod collar sold separately
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra-Macro APO 180mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 180 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 180 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 12 |
| Groups | 9 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | APO |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4.5 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.52 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1.5:1★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong optical (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (85th percentile)85th %ile
Laowa 180mm f/4.5 1.5x Ultra-Macro APO 180mm
- Strong macro (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong build (70th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (7th percentile)7th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.