Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
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 L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
The Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and significant weight reduction compared to previous versions, making it a favorite among wildlife and bird photographers. However, a notable number of users report a serious image stabilization issue causing vertical blur at slower shutter speeds, particularly with the 5D Mark IV, which has led to frustration and some negative reviews. Other complaints include the flimsy included case, expensive replacement hood, and a few isolated quality control problems like stripped tripod foot screws and a failed front element coating.
Pros
- Exceptional image sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Significant weight reduction
- Good balance and handholdability
- Excellent with teleconverters
Cons
- Image stabilization blur at slow shutter speeds
- Flimsy included carrying case
- Expensive replacement lens hood
- Tripod foot screws stripped
- Front element coating failure
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 600 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 600 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 17 |
| Groups | 9 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.31 kg★ | 3.05 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | USM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops | 5.5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 4.20 m |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:6.67★ |
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
Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
- Strong stabilization (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average build (7th percentile)7th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Pricing
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm offers 35.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
