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Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS Review

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS

Main Features

  • 100-400mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F6.3 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 985g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 172mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 1.3m
  • Max Magnification: 0.25x
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Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 Overview


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:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeExcellent
SportsExcellent
PortraitPoor
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingPoor
Walk AroundFair
VloggingPoor
LandscapeFair
MacroAverage

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.

PROs
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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Buy Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
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:

  • 72mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 72mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 72mm Clear Protection Lens Filters



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:

  • Olympus ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS: 0.57x - (Compare)
  • Panasonic 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS: 0.5x - (Compare)
  • Olympus 12-200mm F3.5-6.3: 0.46x - (Compare)

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
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS
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FourThirds 1120gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS
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35mm FF 1135gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 II Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 II Power OIS
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FourThirds 520gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO
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FourThirds 1850gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 655gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 OIS
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FourThirds 520gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Fujifilm XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Lens Fujifilm XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
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APS-C / DX 1605gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 Pro Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 Pro
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FourThirds 760gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**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.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS Alternatives in Micro Four Thirds Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS
Compare
FourThirds 1120gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Panasonic
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds
Focal Range 100-400mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 4.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.0 - F6.3
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 20
Optical Groups 13
Special Elements 1 aspherical ED, 1 UED, 2 ED elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 1.3m
Max Magnification 0.25X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Extending front
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 985g
Diameter 83mm
Length 172mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 72mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
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Frequently Asked Questions about Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS
is the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS
is the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS
Does Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS have Image Stabilization?
Does Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS


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