Panasonic Lumix G VARIO H-FSA100300 100-300mm

Price is up about 17% to $548-$850. New rivals like the Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm offer more reach, while the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L raises the ceiling on image quality. Still a dependable, sharp zoom, but the field is more crowded now.

The competitive set has shuffled noticeably. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS now sits in the top five and brings an enormous zoom range that makes this lens look almost prime-like by comparison. The Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD also enters the picture for APS-C mirrorless shooters who want a single-lens solution, and its autofocus speed is genuinely impressive. On the higher end, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM has moved into the top five, reminding everyone what constant-aperture L-series glass can do, though it costs significantly more. The Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 and Nikon NIKKOR AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR round out the new arrivals, both offering different trade-offs in reach and stabilization. Several previous top-five contenders have dropped off the list, which says more about how quickly the mid-range zoom market is evolving than about any single lens falling behind.

The price has shifted upward, now ranging from $548 to $850 depending on the mount and retailer. That is a roughly 17% increase over the previous window, which pushes it out of casual impulse-buy territory. You still get a lot of glass for the money, and the build quality holds up against lenses that cost more, but the value proposition is tighter than it was. If you can catch it on sale near the lower end of that range, it remains a strong deal. At full retail near $850, you should cross-shop carefully.

This lens still delivers where it counts: sharpness, reliable autofocus, and a focal range that covers most everyday shooting without forcing a lens swap. The price increase stings a little, and the arrival of strong competitors like the Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm means you have more alternatives than before. If you already own it, there is no reason to jump ship. If you are buying new, weigh the extra reach and newer stabilization systems on those competitors against this lens's proven optical consistency and handling. It remains a smart pick, just not the automatic one it was six months ago.