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Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G vs Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6

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Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
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Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6

Standard Zoom | Leica L

Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6
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Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G vs Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G for the E Mount and Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 for the L Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses from Sony and Panasonic.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Key Specs

  • 20-70mm Focal Range
  • F4 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 488g.
  • Diameter: 79mm
  • Length: 99mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.25m
  • Max Magnification:0.39x

Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Key Specs

  • 20-60mm Focal Range
  • F3.5-5.6 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica L Mount
  • Weight: 350g.
  • Diameter: 77mm
  • Length: 87mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.15m
  • Max Magnification:0.43x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and the Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageFair
PortraitVery GoodGood
TravelVery GoodGood
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroFairGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G is the longer of the two lenses at 99mm. The Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 with a length of 87mm is 12mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G also has a larger diameter of 79mm compared to Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6's 77mm diameter.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G vs Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Size and Weight

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 weighs 350g, 28% (138g) lighter than the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G's weight of 488g.


Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G has the Sony E lens mount whereas the Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 has the Leica L lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV for the Sony E Mount and Panasonic S5 II, Panasonic S5 II X and Sigma fp L for the Leica L Mount.

Focal Range

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G has a focal range of 20-70mm and 3.5X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 30 - 105mm.
Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 has a focal range of 20-60mm and 3.0X zoom ratio .

Reasons to choose Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G over Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6

Focal Length - Tele 70mm vs 60mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 3.50x vs 3.00x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Tele 4 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens

Reasons to choose Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 over Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Max Aperture - Wide 3.5 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Weight 350g vs 488g 138g lighter
Diameter 77mm vs 79mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Length 87mm vs 99mm 12mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.15m vs 0.25m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.43x vs 0.39x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G vs Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Panasonic
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
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Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Leica L
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 20-70mm 20-60mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock - No
Zoom Ratio 3.5X 3.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4 F3.5-5.6
Min Aperture F22 F22
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 16 11
Optical Groups 13 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.15m
Max Magnification 0.39X 0.43X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 488g 350g
Diameter 79mm 77mm
Length 99mm 87mm
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 72mm 67mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH174 -
Tripod Collar No No
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