Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
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
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, quiet autofocus. Users consistently highlight its premium build quality and excellent value compared to first-party alternatives like Canon L or Nikon G lenses. While many note it is heavier and larger than typical 50mm primes, the image quality and performance are considered well worth the trade-off. A few users mention potential autofocus inconsistencies in low light or with older firmware, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Premium build quality
- Great value for money
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Autofocus hunts in low light
- Soft edges at f/1.4
- Potential front/back focus issues
- Firmware compatibility concerns
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 50 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 14 |
| Groups | 9 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon F |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 0.81 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 400 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:6.8★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong optical (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
