Now that the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom lens for micro four thirds compact system cameras is available for purchase more and more reviews of this lens start to appear. This time review of the 12-35mm F2.8 X zoom lens is made by SOUNDIMAGEPLUS Blog.
Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom Lens for Micro Four Thirds Review
Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom Lens for Micro Four Thirds Review
For the review they used a Olympus E-PL3 micro four thirds compact system camera.
The first impression the lens gives is of being sturdy and durable and according to reviewer is the best solid feeling lens for micro four thirds compact system cameras. Also the zoom and focusing rings work smoothly being easy to operate the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 lens for both video and stills. The lens is also weather sealed being therefore a fine addition for the Olympus OM-D E-M5.
Focusing of the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 lens in the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is fast being almost instant. Kudos for Panasonic for doing it right in terms of lens firmware as the lens work great with both Panasonic and Olympus camera bodies.
The Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom Lens is not cheap costing about 1000 EUR but it is one of the most impressive lens ever made for Micro Four Thirds. It weighs over 300 grams but it is easy to handle and operate when couple to camera.
Lens sharpness starts wide open at F2.8 and allows photographers to take nice looking photos.
Photo Sample of Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom Lens taken with Olympus PEN E-PL3 Camera
Photo Sample of Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom Lens taken with Olympus PEN E-PL3 Camera
Photo Sample of Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 X Zoom Lens taken with Olympus PEN E-PL3 Camera
Bokeh of the lens is also nice and appealing specially when Micro Four Thirds does not have many lens able to give bokeh due to size of sensor.
Reviewer also used a Panasonic G3 micro four thirds camera to test further this lens.
When comparing this lens coupled with a micro four thirds camera to a full frame system what comes first to sight is its smaller size. However size does not say all as this lens is able to deliver.
Panasonic G3 with 12-35mm X Zoom Lens vs Nikon D800E with 24-85mm lens
We can also see how this lens compares at different apertures (F2.8, F5.6, F11 and F22)
Panasonic 12-35mm Lens Sample at F2.8
Panasonic 12-35mm Lens Sample at F5.6
Panasonic 12-35mm Lens Sample at F11
Panasonic 12-35mm Lens Sample at F22
Wide open at F2.8 there is some slight vignetting and out of focus in the background while at F5.6 there is no vignetting and almost all image is in focus. From F11 onwards performance does start to degrade and quality suffers at F22 with diffraction appearing.
All in all this lens is one of the most versatile ones available for Micro Four Thirds and able to deliver in both stills and video.
