Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm
The Panasonic Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-4 is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and solid build quality. Users highlight its versatility for wildlife and landscape photography, with excellent image stabilization and smooth zoom/focus rings. A few note the weight and that the 100-400mm equivalent is not exact, but overall it is considered a top-tier lens.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Excellent image stabilization
- Smooth zoom and focus rings
Cons
- Heavy for some users
- 100-400mm equivalent not exact
- Zoom ring direction opposite to Olympus
- Minor sharpness loss with 2x teleconverter
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is widely praised as the best walk-around zoom for APS-C cameras, offering excellent sharpness, fast and quiet autofocus, and effective image stabilization. Many users compare its image quality favorably to L-series lenses, though some note it is not as sharp in the corners and can suffer from lens creep. A few reviewers experienced autofocus motor failures or inconsistent optical quality, and the lack of a constant wide aperture is a common drawback. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who want a versatile, high-quality single lens for crop-sensor bodies.
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness
- Fast and quiet USM autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile 15-85mm zoom range
- Great build quality
Cons
- Lens creep when pointed downward
- No constant wide aperture
- Soft corners at wide end
- Some copies have autofocus issues
- Expensive for a non-L lens
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm | Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 15 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 200 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 21 | 17 |
| Groups | 15 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Surface Coating | Super Spectra coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-4.0 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.73 kg | 0.57 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | linear motor★ | USM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 750 mm | 350 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.25x★ | 0.22x |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average macro (30th percentile)
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM offers 3.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 84 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
