Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH reviews roundup: is it worth the price?
Released in 2016, the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 is a super-telephoto zoom lens designed for Micro four thirds cameras. It’s designed for bird, wildlife and sports photographers who need a very long focal length.
Specs:
- Mount: Micro 4/3
- Optical stabilization: Yes
- Weather sealed: Yes
- Weight: 985 grams
- Min. aperture: f/4
- Max. aperture: f/
- Minimum focus distance: 130cm
- Filter size: 72mm
- Experience a Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera lens design with a significant reduction in size and weight; Up to two thirds smaller and one fifth the weight of comparable DSLR 35 millimeter long...
- 100 to 400 millimeter F/4.0-6.3 LEICA VARIO ELMAR high performance lens for nature photography (200 to 800 millimeter 35 millimeter camera lens equivalent), Closest Focusing Distance : FULL:1.3 meter...
- Ideally suited for the outdoors with a splash and dustproof sealed body. (When combined with splash and dustproof LUMIX G Mirrorless camera models)
What do the critics think of the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3?
Overall, most reviews on the web agree that the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 is a fantastic lens for nature photographers or sports photography. It measures 17.2 cm and weighs 985 g so it’s relatively heavy, but when you realize that it offers an impressive focal length equivalent to 200-800 mm, it’s actually quite compact and lightweight. The quality of the lens construction is also excellent.
Alternative:
If the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 is too expensive for you, the closest and most competitive lens in the same category would be the Panasonic 100-300mm F4.0-5.6. It costs one-third of the 100-400, so you’ll be able to buy additionnal lenses with the money you’ll save and it’s a good zoom lens to start with.
Most reviews like…
- 200-800mm equivalent on full-frame (that’s HUGE)
- Good image quality throughout the focal range
- Well suited for close-ups
- Lens design is good
- High-performance optical stabilization (Dual IS)
- Weight/capacity ratio
- Integrated, retractable lens hood
Most reviews don’t like…
- Not cheap
- Low maximum aperture
- At 400mm sharpness is correct but the image is a little soft
For more infos about the positive and negatives sides of the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3, check out the selection of reviews below:
Websites Reviews
- Photographyblog.com – ★★★★½ (‘The Panasonic 100-400mm is testament to the advantages that Micro Four Thirds offers in terms of size and weight – we can’t think of another 200-800mm equivalent lens that weighs under 1kg!‘)
- Digital-photography-school.com – ★★★★½
- Ephotozine.com – ✪✪✪✪✪ – Highly recommended (‘If we want a high quality optic for sports, birding, wildlife, photo-journalism and other long range applications then this is it. The close focusing that brings closer subjects into range is a bonus.’)
- Imaging-resource.com – 9/10 – (‘It may be expensive, but it’s amazing to consider just what you’re getting for the price: one of the lightest ways to get an image-stabilized 800mm image.‘)
Amazon users reviews
- Experience a Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera lens design with a significant reduction in size and weight; Up to two thirds smaller and one fifth the weight of comparable DSLR 35 millimeter long...
- 100 to 400 millimeter F/4.0-6.3 LEICA VARIO ELMAR high performance lens for nature photography (200 to 800 millimeter 35 millimeter camera lens equivalent), Closest Focusing Distance : FULL:1.3 meter...
- Ideally suited for the outdoors with a splash and dustproof sealed body. (When combined with splash and dustproof LUMIX G Mirrorless camera models)