Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Samyang Tilt-Shift SYTS24-N 24mm
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
Samyang Tilt-Shift SYTS24-N 24mm
Users generally appreciate this tilt-shift lens as a budget-friendly alternative to expensive name-brand options, praising its sharpness at f/8-f/11, good contrast, and versatile tilt/shift capabilities. However, several note the all-manual operation, small locking knobs, and lack of friction in the shift mechanism, which can cause the lens to drop if not held. Build quality is seen as decent but not as robust as Nikon or Canon equivalents, yet the value for the price is a recurring positive theme.
Pros
- Sharp at f/8-f/11
- Good contrast and color
- Versatile tilt/shift functions
- Great value for price
- Smooth focus ring
Cons
- Small locking knobs
- Shift mechanism lacks friction
- Plastic build quality
- Fully manual operation
- No aperture control from camera
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Samyang Tilt-Shift SYTS24-N 24mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | tilt-shift |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 24 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 24 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 16 |
| Groups | 9 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | UMC |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 8★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon F |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.68 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 200 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Samyang Tilt-Shift SYTS24-N 24mm
- Strong optical (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong macro (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average bokeh (19th percentile)19th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 2.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.
