- Fine Detail Performance: 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter resulting in a near 10 percent boost in fine detail resolving power over existing 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds...
- Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera Kit: With 2 super compact lenses 12 32mm F3.5 5.6 and 45150mm F4.0 5.6, shoot lighter and faster with the modern hybrid photography performance of a mirrorless...
- Class Leading Dual Image Stabilization: In body 5 axis dual image stabilization works in both photo and motion picture recording—including 4K video—to produce clear handheld shots even in low...
What is the best travel lens for Panasonic Lumix GX85?
So you’re planning on travelling and wondering which lens is best for travel photography with your Panasonic Lumix GX85?
These days, most travelers use their smartphones to take pictures and post them on Facebook or Instagram. Don’t get me wrong, you can make impressive pictures with recent smartphones and they are very useful to document little details of your trip, but they are limited to one perspective.
So you’ll probably need a lense with a focal range that will allow you to get shots that are impossible to get with your cell phone (zoom or wide angle).
What makes a good travel lens?
Well, this is extremely subjective and depends on the type of photo you will make when you will be on the road. It also depends on how often you’re going to use it. Any lens can be good for travel, but having to commute by train, bus, plane, and moving around all the time makes it hard to carry a huge bag dedicated to your favourite lenses. There are always the risks to pay extra fees for them, to break them during the trip or to get your bag stolen.
Hence, most photographers like to travel light, with the lightest and most versatile setup possible. Getting the most out of one or two lenses is probably the way to go, with a range .
You may not know for sure what kind of shot you are about to make during your trip. If you plan on taking portraits, wildlife, street scenes but also landscapes, a zoom lens will be perfect since they offers the advantage of allowing close-ups and scenery shots, to some extent. For a more versatile use, this kind of lens will be the perfect fit.
Travels are full of surprises, and you may want to grab your Panasonic Lumix GX85 and shoot as quickly as possible. For this situation, the best lens will be a bright wide angle lens since they are usually a good choice for street photography. They allow for close-ups and large scenes, and are generally pretty small and convenient to carry. If you are planning a city trip, this kind of lens should be attached in permanence to the body of your Panasonic Lumix GX85.
Every photographer has its own favourite setup for snapping on the go. But if you are not sure on what travel lens to choose for your Panasonic Lumix GX85, this small selection is suitable for most photographic opportunities while traveling.
Note: the product links in this article lead to Amazon.com
Summary
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60 mm f/2.8-4 ASPH (All around travel lens)
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18 mm f/2.8-4 ASPH (Wide angle)
- Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II POWER O.I.S (Zoom lens)
- Useful accessories
- Conclusion
Here’s the Top 3 travel lenses you should consider for your Panasonic Lumix GX85:
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60 mm f/2.8-4 ASPH (All around travel lens)
Weight: 320 g
Filter size: 62 mm
If you are looking for a versatile, versatile and capable all-purpose lens for a wide variety of situations, then the 12-60mm f/2.8 is a good travel lens for the Lumix GX85. Equivalent to a 24-120 mm on full format, it has nothing to see in terms of size compared to pancake lenses, but it remains easily transportable when travelling. It’s tropicalized and can be used in difficult conditions in combination with the GX85. Too bad though that the aperture is not constant and that the aperture of f/2.8 is only available at 12mm and not beyond….
Overall, it’s a lens that provides a good balance between image quality, weight and compactness, with impressive stabilization and a discreet and powerful autofocus in both still and video. In terms of optical quality, it does not offer a glaring difference with the 12-60mm sold with the GX85, but its construction is much stronger and it’s a better choice if you make video (and you have the necessary budget).
- NANO SURFACE COATING: Professional, high quality LEICA DG VARIO ELMARIT camera lens optics with Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating to reduce unwanted ghosting and flaring for crystal clear pictures (4...
- HIGH SPEED AUTO FOCUSING: Upgraded faster focus tracking via a 240 fps linear motor performs smooth aperture changes so there are no sudden jumps in exposure for improved video performance
- ADVANCED OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION: Panasonic POWER O.I.S. compatible with enhanced LUMIX Dual I.S. 2.0 LUMIX Mirrorless cameras immediately compensates even large camera shake and vibrations for...
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Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18 mm f/2.8-4 ASPH (Wide angle)
Weight: 315 g
Filter size: 67 mm
Recently released, this wide angle offers the equivalent of a 16-35mm on a full format. Highly recommended by many American and French sites, this is the best that is currently being done in wide angle for the GX85. It has little distortion and vignetting, and even if the aperture is not constant it remains efficient even in low light (thanks to the five axis stabilization of the GX85!).
It benefits from a good quality of construction, with a very pleasant design and handling, while keeping a modest weight. In short, it offers fantastic image quality and is an almost perfect tool if you want to take architectural or landscape photos with your Panasonic GX85. Its only flaw: its price, quite high.
- NANO SURFACE COATING: Professional, high quality LEICA DG VARIO ELMARIT camera lens optics with Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating to reduce unwanted ghosting and flaring for crystal-clear pictures (1...
- HIGH SPEED AUTO FOCUSING: Upgraded faster focus tracking via a 240 fps linear motor performs smooth aperture changes so there are no sudden jumps in exposure for improved video performance
- 4K VIDEO SUPPORT: Smooth aperture changes and a silent design for enhanced capture of the scene’s exposure and audio; AF performance records excellent 4K video where precise focusing is essential
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Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II POWER O.I.S (Zoom lens)
Weight: 357 g
Filter size: 58 mm
An excellent zoom for the G85, sold at a reasonable price compared to the equivalent 70-200mm focal length lenses from Canon and Nikon, while being much more compact and lightweight.
The sharpness of the images delivered by this 35-100mm constant aperture 35-100mm f/2.8 is excellent over the entire focal range (especially in the center, a little less in the corners), with little distortion and a beautiful bokeh that offers a great rendering in wedding or portrait photography.
The quality of construction is also excellent and carrying it on a trip will not be a problem. If you have the budget, there is no need to hesitate.
A cheaper alternative is the Lumix 35-100mm f/3.5-5.6 but it’s not as good in low light or for portraiture.
- Upgraded faster focus tracking via a 240 fps linear motor for improved video performance
- Panasonic POWER O.I.S. compatible with enhanced LUMIX Dual I.S. 2.0 LUMIX Mirror less cameras
- Durable metal body for various weather conditions (Splash proof / Dustproof / Freeze proof)
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☛ ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
- For more travel lenses options, check this out: The best lenses for Panasonic Lumix GX85
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Useful accessories for travel photography
Travels can be hectic, so you want to make sure that your lenses are safe and sound all along the trip. A good quality carry bag is mandatory to protect them from the weather and bumps. A UV filter will also help protect your lens by adding a layer of glass that can be scratched or dripping with water with no harm to the lens. Finally, a polarizing filter is always useful to get a glare-free result in any shooting scenario you might face.
Here is a small selection of useful accessories to complement your lenses and your Panasonic Lumix GX85:
Conclusion
If you want to go on a trip soon and are wondering what is the best travel lens for the Panasonic Lumix GX85, think in advance about the types of photos you plan to take mainly: landscapes, portraits, night shots… Think about the focal lengths you need for that.
You can also go on Google, type in the name of the country or the tourist sites you want to visit and you will see which focal lengths are mainly used. This will give you an idea of what equipment you will need to bring but remember that taking a single lens with you might be too limiting. The flexibility of an all-around lens is very useful but generally they offer a lower image quality than a fixed focal length.
Another thing, if you plan to do a lot of walking or hiking, take into account the total weight with the camera body and the lens. If the whole thing is too heavy or bulky and lacks discretion, you won’t want to bother with it and would rather just take your smartphone with you. You may also not want to risk damaging an extremely expensive lens.
And finally, perhaps the most decisive point about choosing the perfect travel lens for your Panasonic Lumix GX85 will be if you need to get a portfolio of professional quality travel photos or videos (it may be your business or it may become your business who knows?).