Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
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
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 Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 8 mm | 600 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 18 mm | 600 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 17 |
| Groups | 10 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4 | 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 | 67 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | 240-fps autofocus drive | USM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5.5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 230 mm★ | 4.20 m |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x | 1:6.67★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %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 Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 offers 27.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
