Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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 II lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
There is only one more lens with the Micro Four Thirds mount that has the exact same focal and aperture range with the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II, the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3.
Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II is a member of Panasonic's Elmarit-MFT series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
Panasonic Elmarit-MFT Series Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount
Reasons to Buy the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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 II ASPH Power OIS lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization |
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| AF/MF Switch on Lens |
| Stabilization On/Off Switch on Lens |
| Focus Range Limiter |
| Compatible with Panasonic Teleconverters |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Focus Distance Limiter |
| Zoom Lock |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
| 400mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
| High Max Magnification ratio of 0.5x |
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| Lens Extends while zooming |
| Slow Aperture at Tele end |
| Variable Aperture |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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-3 Astro, OM System OM-5 II and OM System OM-3.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II has a maximum diameter of 83mm and a total length of 172mm when not extended. It weighs 985g / 34.7 oz.
Check the size of the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II when attached to MFT cameras:
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II Size with MFT Cameras
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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 II:
You can also check All Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses with 72mm Filter Thread Size to find the matching lenses.
Focal Range
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II is compatible with the Panasonic DMW-TC20 2x TC for MFT-Mount Teleconverter lens.
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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 II with a weather-sealed camera body such as the OM System OM-3 Astro, OM System OM-5 II and OM System OM-3.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II also has a Stabilization On/Off switch on the lens body so you don't need to delve into your cameras menu to disable or enable the IS.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 172mm and a weight of 985g, the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II 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 II 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 II 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 II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.5x with a minimum focusing distance of 1.3m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.5x 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 II 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 II's optical formula consists of 20 elements in 13 groups . The 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 II comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
What's in the Box of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II:
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens Front Lens Cap Panasonic Rear Lens Cap for Lumix G Lenses Tripod Collar Storage Bag Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Recommended Accessories for the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II
Now it is time to look at the Top Recommended Accessories for the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II.
Body Colour
Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II is available in Black color.
Popular Comparisons of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II ASPH Power OIS.
Top Alternatives of Panasonic 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II in Other Lens Mounts
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