Panasonic LUMIX Professional 12-60mm Camera Lens, Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT, F2.8-4.0 ASPH, Dual I.S. 2.0 with Power O.I.S, Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds, H-ES12060 (Black)

This is a fantastic, but expensive lens at about £800. If you are in the market for a new camera as well it makes much more sense to get this included. Eg I have just bought a new G9 camera and this was included as the kit lens. Taking into account the camera body only price made this lens cost £260. Or looking the other way around the camera body as well cost £400 instead of nearly £1000!

It's three weeks that I bought this lens. The first sample was a kind of disappointment as it was soft both at 12mm and 60mm full open, lacking micro contrast throughout the focal length. Then I swapped it for a fresh copy at the shop I bought it from and results have dramatically changed. On a pixel peep basis, the PanaLeica 12-60 is just a hair less sharp than the Olympus. Contrast and acuity though are excellent. As for the PanaLeica I haven't noticed any difference between 12mm at f2.8 and f4. Handling is superb, the lens is a pleasure to use with little-to-no flare/ghost. The difference of focal length between the PanaLeica and the Oly makes the rest: this lens won't any longer be detached from my Panasonic G80. It is that good with a perfect FL for all day used. Bokeh is smooth and pleasant. The Oly remains an exceptionally good lens and I clearly would have kept it had I bought the Oly 40-150 f2.8 to complement it, but compactness and quality is all micro 43 should be about. That's why I'm very, very pleased I swapped it for the PanaLeica. If you buy it and are not happy, tried a new copy. This little lens is absolutely a jewel.

Hochwertig wie ich erwartet habe.

Lo recibí con la caja algo deteriorada pero el interior parecía en perfecto estado así que me lo quedé. Tras varios meses de utilización puedo decir que es un estupendo objetivo, ideal como óptica "todo terreno" aunque tal vez un poco pesado para fotografía de calle pero, claro, está construido todo en metal; aun así es muy portable. Diseño minimalista pero agradable. La calidad del acabado es excelente transmitiendo la sensación de robustez y, a la vez, todo funciona de forma muy suave (hasta poner el parasol es una gozada). La calidad de la imagen es simplemente impresionante, muy buena nitidez (centro/esquina) en todos los rangos de focal i en todos los diafragmas hasta f-8 (a partir de ahí comienza a decaer pero es normal en las ópticas de m 4/3) teniendo su punto dulce entre f4 i f5.6, poca distorsión y en su extremo gran angular (12 mm.) i ninguna en el resto de las focales y prácticamente ninguna aberración cromática . Lo utilizo, sobretodo, en una Olympus PEN-F aunque también, ocasionalmente, en una Olympus E-PL8 sin ningún problema de compatibilidad. evidentemente el estabilizador de imagen MEGA-OIS no se suma al de las cámaras pero si las pone en un modo donde domina la estabilización del objetivo que, según mi experiencia, es superior al del cuerpo (ya de por sí magnífica sobretodo en la PEN-F). Una excelente compra, muy recomendable.

This is a great lens. I use it almost exclusively when traveling. It's larger than primes but is not heavy and balances well on my Panasonic G9 body. It is very sharp throughout. With a body that has electronic magnification, its reach is great. Color rendition is very accurate. Very easy to shoot hand held because of the synched IS. The build seems very sturdy, even after a number of years of use. I wish I'd pull the trigger on it long before I did.

so good love it

This lens offers wide range of uses. It has a hardy metal body providing confidence its gonna hold up. Great for adventure photography, but can still be used for city and home settings wonderfully. You just can't beat that Leica glass for its artistic value. Great over all lens with above average specs in many areas.