Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a lens that divides opinion. Many users adore its dreamy, characterful rendering, creamy bokeh, and beautiful color, especially for portraits and low-light work. However, a significant number report issues with slow and unreliable autofocus, softness wide open, and a high price tag that doesn't always match the optical performance. It's a lens that rewards skill and patience but can frustrate those seeking clinical sharpness and fast, consistent AF.
Pros
- Beautiful creamy bokeh
- Dreamy, characterful rendering
- Excellent color and contrast
- Solid build quality
- Great for portraits and low light
Cons
- Slow and unreliable autofocus
- Soft wide open at f/1.2
- Very expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Noticeable chromatic aberration
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
Scores
Specifications
| Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 8 | 14 |
| Groups | 6 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.2 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.95 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | USM★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.19x | 0.21x★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon RF EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 50mm
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
- Below average macro (33rd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
