Leica Super Elmar-M 11145 21mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Leica Super Elmar-M 11145 21mm
The Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M lens receives high praise for its exceptional sharpness, contrast, and compact build quality. Users highlight its superb optics and minimal distortion, making it ideal for travel and street photography. However, the lack of an included viewfinder and the need for an external finder on M bodies is a noted drawback.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Excellent contrast
- Compact and lightweight build
- Top-notch build quality
- Minimal distortion
Cons
- Viewfinder not included
- Requires external viewfinder on M bodies
- High price point
- Limited compatibility with non-Leica cameras
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Leica Super Elmar-M 11145 21mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 21 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 21 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 6 | 15 |
| Groups | 4 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| Coating | — | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/3.4 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 46 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | manual focus only | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 700 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.0010347222 | 0.12x★ |
Pros & Cons
Leica Super Elmar-M 11145 21mm
- Strong build (71st percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average macro (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 offers 9.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
