Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Panasonic
96 Overall Score
vs
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

OM System
46 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

92 out of 100 medium confidence 22 reviews

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
👍 Optical performance 7
👍 Build quality 6
👍 Autofocus speed 5
👍 Versatility 4
👍 Video features 3
👎 Depth of field 2

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

82 out of 100 medium confidence 14 reviews

This lens is praised for its excellent value, lightweight design, and good image quality for the price. Users appreciate it as an affordable entry-level superzoom, especially for travel and casual wildlife photography. However, the lack of optical image stabilization and all-plastic build are noted as compromises, with some users finding the camera's IBIS insufficient at the long end.

Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Good image quality for the price
  • Smooth zoom ring
  • Solid build despite plastic
Cons
  • No optical image stabilization
  • All-plastic build
  • Camera IBIS insufficient at 300mm
  • Not weather sealed
  • No lens hood included
👍 Value for money 6
🤔 Build quality 5
👍 Image quality 5
👍 Weight and portability 4
👎 Image stabilization 4
👎 Weather sealing 1

Scores

Video Cinema
Panasonic
98
OM System
41
Landscape
Panasonic
95
OM System
55
Professional
Panasonic
92
OM System
43
Portrait
Panasonic
89
OM System
38
Travel
Panasonic
86
OM System
53
Budget
Panasonic
86
OM System
51
Street
Panasonic
84
OM System
48
Wildlife Sports
Panasonic
78
OM System
47
Macro
Panasonic
76
OM System
40

Specifications

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mmOM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min12 mm75 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm300 mm
Elements1418
Groups913
Aspherical Elements4★—
ED Elements13★
CoatingNano Surface CoatingZERO coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/22
Min Aperturef/2.84.8-6.7
Constant✓★✗
Diaphragm Blades77
Build
MountMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
Formatmicro-four-thirdsmicro-four-thirds
Weather Sealed✓★✗
Weight0.31 kg★0.42 kg
Filter Thread58 mm58 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusMSC
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops5 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance150 mm★900 mm
Max Magnification0.21x★0.18x

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

  • Strong versatility (88th percentile)88th %ile
  • Strong optical (88th percentile)88th %ile
  • Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average macro (28th percentile)
  • Below average social proof (32nd percentile)

Pricing

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II is $445 cheaper (2.0x less).

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

Verdict

★ Winner: Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm

Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 22 specs.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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