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Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS Review

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS

Main Features

  • 12-35mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 306g.
  • Diameter: 68mm
  • Length: 74mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.25m
  • Max Magnification:0.17x
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Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 Overview

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Standard Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and FourThirds max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with Micro Four Thirds mount cameras.

Panasonic replaced the older Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS vs Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS

What type of photography is the Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeFair
SportsAverage
PortraitVery Good
TravelVery Good
StreetVery Good
WeddingVery Good
Walk AroundVery Good
VloggingVery Good
LandscapeVery Good
MacroPoor

Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS
Compare
FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS
Compare
FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 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
Full-time Manual Focusing
Fast Aperture at Wide end
Fast Aperture at Tele end
Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range
Minimum focus distance of 0.25m / 9.8 inch
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Buy Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming


Lens Mount

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 is compatible with cameras that have 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 Leica 12-35mm F2.8 has a maximum diameter of 68mm and total length of 74mm when not extended . It weighs 306g / 10.8 oz.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 and Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 II to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 vs Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 II Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 and Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 II Size and Weight

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 has a filter thread of 58mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8:

  • 58mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 58mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 58mm Clear Protection Lens Filters

Focal Range

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 has a focal range of 12-35mm and 2.9X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-70mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.


Weather Sealings

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 is a weather sealed lens which provides an extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have an effective protection, you have to pair the Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 with a weather sealed camera body such as OM System OM-5, Panasonic GH6 and OM System OM-1.

Optical Image Stabilization

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 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.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.17x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.25m. 0.17x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Aperture

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 12mm all the way to the 35mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
12mm F2.8 F22
35mm F2.8 F22

Optical Formula

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8's optical formula consists of 14 elements in 9 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • Four aspherical elements
  • one Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion (UED) element
  • one Ultra High Refractive Index (UHR) element

Lens Hood

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Body Colour

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
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Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
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FourThirds 254gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 320gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 210gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
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FourThirds 382gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8G ED Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8G ED
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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-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS Alternatives in Micro Four Thirds Mount
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OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Lens OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
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FourThirds 112gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
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FourThirds 382gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
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Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS
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FourThirds 70gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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FourThirds 95gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Panasonic
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds
Focal Range 12-35mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock No
Zoom Ratio 2.9X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F2.8
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 14
Optical Groups 9
Special Elements Four aspherical elements, one Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion (UED) element, one Ultra High Refractive Index (UHR) element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.25m
Max Magnification 0.17X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 306g
Diameter 68mm
Length 74mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 58mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
is the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
is the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Does Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS have Image Stabilization?
Does Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS


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