Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm
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
Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm
The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II is a budget-friendly lens that delivers excellent image quality, creamy bokeh, and fast autofocus for many users, though a significant number report serious AF issues, especially with certain Sony cameras like the A7C II. Build quality is generally praised as solid, but complaints about a wobbly mount, defective focus rings, and a flimsy hood exist. The value proposition is strong at its price point, making it a worthwhile choice for those willing to risk potential firmware or compatibility quirks.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Creamy bokeh
- Sharp image quality
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Solid build construction
Cons
- Serious autofocus issues on some cameras
- Incompatible with Sony A7C II
- Flimsy lens hood
- Wobbly lens mount
- Warm color cast reported
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 85 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 9 |
| Groups | 10 | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Ultra Multi-Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.51 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 900 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x★ | 0.11x |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm
- Strong social proof (77th percentile)
- Strong build (69th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average macro (26th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
