Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
What Buyers Say
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
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
This Sony 18-70mm kit lens receives mixed reviews, with many praising its value, clarity, and quick autofocus for general photography. However, several users report durability issues, particularly with the plastic mount and softness at maximum zoom, leading to two failed copies for one buyer. Overall, it is seen as an affordable, lightweight option for casual use but not a professional-grade lens.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Fast autofocus
- Good clarity and color
- Lightweight and compact
- Works well for general photography
Cons
- Fragile plastic mount
- Soft at maximum zoom
- Durability issues (multiple failures)
- Not sharp throughout zoom range
- Auto focus can fail after impact
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 70 mm |
| Elements | 15 | — |
| Groups | 10 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony A |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.31 kg | 0.23 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | — |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm | 35 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
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
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
- Strong macro (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong versatility (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm offers 1.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
