Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and FourThirds max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
MFT cameras.
What type of photography is the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Reasons to Buy Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization |
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Focus Distance Limiter |
| Zoom Lock |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades |
| 400mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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| Lens Extents while zooming |
| Slow Aperture at Tele end |
| Variable Aperture |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is compatible with cameras that have a Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds lenses are OM System OM-5, Panasonic GH6 and OM System OM-1.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a maximum diameter of 83mm and total length of 172mm when not extended. It weighs 985g / 34.7 oz.
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a filter thread of 72mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3:
Focal Range
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a focal range of 100-400mm and 4.0X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 200-800mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.
Weather Sealings
The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 with a weather-sealed camera body such as the OM System OM-5, Panasonic GH6 and OM System OM-1.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 172mm and a weight of 985g, the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Zoom Method
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Zoom Lock
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.25x and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.3m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.25x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Zoom type MFT mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 100mm, and a max aperture of f6.3 and minimum aperture of f22 at 400mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
100mm
|
F4 |
F22 |
|
400mm
|
F6.3 |
F22 |
Optical Formula
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3's optical formula consists of 20 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 1 aspherical ED
- 1 UED
- 2 ED elements
Lens Hood
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Body Colour
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 is available in Black color.
Popular Comparisons of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 Lens
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