Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
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
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised for its excellent sharpness, fast and silent autofocus, and lightweight design, making it a fantastic value for amateur photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Many users highlight the impressive image quality at the long end and the effective image stabilization, though some note softness beyond 200mm and noticeable vignetting at full zoom. A few reviewers experienced quality control issues like blurry images or a non-functional focus ring, but the overwhelming consensus is that this lens delivers outstanding performance for its price point.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness for the price
- Fast and silent STM autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Effective image stabilization
- Great value for money
Cons
- Softness beyond 200mm
- Noticeable vignetting at full zoom
- Plastic build quality
- Electronic manual focus requires camera power
- Slow maximum aperture (f/5.6 at 250mm)
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 250 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 15 |
| Groups | 9 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Spectra coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 4-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.38 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 250 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 0.29x★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM offers 4.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
