Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH Lens

Key Features

• 16-36mm zoom range
• Reasonably fast for a zoom lens
• Durable construction

The Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0 Wide Angle Lens from Panasonic is a 16-36mm equivalent lens that blends optical excellence with durable, refined physical design for Micro Four Thirds mirror less cameras.

Excellent image quality

Designed in collaboration with Leica, this lens employs a series of low dispersion and aspherical elements to realize sharp and clear imagery with controlled fringing and aberrations, and a Nano Surface Coating also helps to minimize flare and ghosting for increased contrast and colour accuracy.

Durable construction

The durable metal lens body is splash, dust, and freeze proof for use in trying environmental conditions, and a fast 240 fps auto focus drive suits both photo and video shooting in a variety of working situations.

Our expert's opinion

Something you’ve got a love about lenses for Micro Four Thirds cameras is their weight. This one comes in at just 315g. A comparable DSLR lens would not only likely be more expensive, it will come in at about double the weight.

The maximum aperture of f/2.8 is only available at 8mm, but that is where it’s also most useful. By the time you’re at 36mm focal length equivalent, if you’re looking for speed, there are much better options.

This won’t be your work horse lens, but it provides solid image quality and a range of focus lengths you’re unlikely to otherwise have covered in your kit.