Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
Sony FE SEL2870 28-70mm
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 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
Sony FE SEL2870 28-70mm
The Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens is widely praised as an excellent value for money, offering surprisingly sharp images, silent autofocus, and a compact, lightweight build. Many users find it more than adequate for everyday photography, especially when stopped down, though it struggles in low light and exhibits softness at the wide end. A recurring complaint is significant flare and washed-out colors in bright conditions, and some feel it doesn't fully exploit the camera's sensor. Overall, it's seen as a great starter or travel lens, but not a replacement for higher-end optics.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Surprisingly sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight design
- Silent and fast autofocus
- Dust and moisture resistant
Cons
- Soft corners at 28mm wide end
- Significant flare in bright light
- Washed-out colors in sunlight
- Slow aperture limits low-light use
- Not sharp enough for high-res sensors
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm | Sony FE SEL2870 28-70mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 70 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 9 |
| Groups | 9 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Multi-Layered Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | 22-36★ |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.29 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | Linear Autofocus Motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 300 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x★ | 0.19x |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong optical (86th percentile)86th %ile
Sony FE SEL2870 28-70mm
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong versatility (77th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (16th percentile)16th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
Pricing
Sony FE SEL2870 28-70mm offers 2.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
