Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 Asph. Power O.I.S. (2023) (H-ES12035)

The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2,8 Asph. Power O.I.S. is a versatile lens ideal for virtually any shooting situation thanks to its large aperture, O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) integration, compact size, and lightweight profile. This lens is a redesigned replacement for the LUMIX G X Vario 12-35 mm F2.8 II Asph., widely considered one of Panasonic’s best LUMIX G Micro Four Thirds lenses. Available since end of February 2023.

The lens is comprised of fourteen lens elements in nine groups, including four aspherical lenses, one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) to achieve high optical performance. The glass material of the UHR lens element is newly updated with higher transmittance to achieve greater natural color reproduction. Panasonic’s unique nano surface coating provides effective antireflection and produces clear description. Due to its thin coating with nanometer-level microstructure and an ultra-low dispersion ratio, the reflection of the entire wavelength of 380-780 mm, including visual light range, are reduced. Together with a newly adopted light-shielding part, occurrence of ghost and flare is minimized.

For more versatile use, the lens features shorter focusing distance of 0.15m (at wide-end) with a larger magnification ratio of 0.21x (at 17mm), compared with the conventional LUMIX G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II Asph. with 0.25m of focusing distance and 0.17x of magnification ratio.

It also offers smooth, silent operation with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system, with the sensor drive at a maximum 240 fps. It also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing and includes a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change. Combined with the camera’s body I.S. and the lens’ O.I.S., Dual I.S. 2 provides effective hand-shake correction.

The external design has also been refined compared to the previous lens. The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 Asph. Power O.I.S. features stunning mobility with its approximately 306 g compact size, light weight, and rugged dust/splash-resistant design that withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero centigrade. The filter diameter is 58 mm, with a 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm.