Panasonic Refreshes 12-35mm Lens with Leica

2022.12.15

Earlier today, Panasonic announced a refreshed version of the 12-35mm core lens for Micro Four-Thirds system. This third-generation lens is built in collaboration with Leica to achieve ultimate performance for a bright zoom.

The new Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F/2.8 ASPH Power OIS lens is equivalent to a 24-70mm lens on Full-Frame cameras and is incredibly compact for a bright constant-aperture zoom. This one maintains a maximum F/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, like previous Panasonic models yet unlike others by Leica. A new optical formula promises superior image quality worthy of the Leica name.

This lens is equipped with the Panasonic Power Optical Image Stabilization system that works in Dual IS mode when attached to a camera with builtin image-stabilization which is not present on all Panasonic Micro Four-Thirds cameras. Unfortunately, Panasonic did not make any claims of image-stabilization efficiency with Dual IS or without. The latest Panasonic IBIS system provides 7½-stops of stabilization which is already so high that it is unlikely to be improved much in Dual IS mode.

Different optics also allow the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F/2.8 ASPH Power OIS to focus down to 15cm from the focal-place which provides a maximum magnification of 0.21X. A 58mm filter-thread is available on this zoom lens. As a premium offering, Panasonic made this lens weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C. A mechanical switch on the lens toggles its stabilization mechanism.

Panasonic expects to ship this lens in late February 2023 for $900 USD.

• Lens