Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
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
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
The Laowa 4mm f/2.8 fisheye is a fun, ultra-wide lens that delivers a unique circular image at a very low price. Users praise its sharpness and build quality, but note that it requires careful handling to avoid including fingers, grips, or lens markings in the frame. Compatibility with full-frame cameras is limited, often requiring cropping, and manual focus can be tricky. Overall, it's seen as a great value for creative or occasional use.
Pros
- Very low price
- Unique circular fisheye image
- Sharp image quality
- Fun and creative perspective
- Compact and sturdy build
Cons
- Fingers and grip visible in frame
- Manual focus can be tricky
- Limited compatibility with full-frame cameras
- Requires cropping to remove black edges
- Lens markings appear in images
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | fisheye |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 4 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 4 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 7 |
| Groups | 9 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1★ | — |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.14 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm | 80 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.21x | 1:9.09★ |
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
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average optical (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
Pricing
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm offers 1.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
