Best Lenses for Panasonic Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Within Panasonic's optics park for full-frame mirrorless cameras, there's a whole line of fixed lenses with similar sizes and f/1.8 aperture. This is done for the convenience of video shooting — using similar weight models allows not balancing the stabilizer every time the optics are changed. The family is led by an 85mm portrait fixed lens and includes 24/35/50 mm versions.

The model features a simple optical design of 9 elements in 8 groups. Under the hood, the lens does not have any aspherical elements, but instead has a couple of elements with extra-low dispersion. The absence of "asphericity" positively affects the softness of the blurred background — the bokeh looks neat and interesting, with proper "cleanliness" of highlights.

The Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 is suitable for portrait shooting as well as other photography genres. Thanks to the quiet autofocus and excellent sharpness across the entire frame even when wide open. The model also performs well in video mode, providing the option to change the focus ring's action from nonlinear to linear. The only "but" is the presence of the "breathing" effect during refocusing, which might hinder videographers.

Other criticisms of the model include noticeable vignetting when wide open, though for portrait optics, "vignetting" is often beneficial. A definite plus for the lens is its confident performance in backlighting (even without the use of a lens hood). The model's dust and moisture protection underlines its advantages. Among competitors, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art stands out — it costs more but provides an additional ⅔ stop of exposure thanks to a higher aperture capability.

Lenses from the Sigma Contemporary series are designed for a wide variety of cameras with a focus on accessibility and good image quality. For Leica SL and Sony E mounts, the lineup includes an interesting wide-angle zoom covering focal lengths from 16 to 28 mm.

The model is intended for landscape, architecture, and indoor photography, as well as street photography. The optical formula consists of 16 elements in 11 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses and 5 FLD (fluoritic-like) glasses. It also features a 9-blade aperture, allowing for soft bokeh.

The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN produces sharp and detailed images and boasts a consistent maximum f/2.8 aperture regardless of the focal length. The lens focuses sharply from a distance of 25 cm, using a quiet stepper motor for autofocus. During this process, the lens does not change in size — it has internal focusing.

The lens adds approximately 450 g to the camera body. It comes with a petal hood, and 72 mm filters can be attached to the front thread. This model acts as a reliable and more affordable alternative to the slightly wider Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art DG DN.

The second iteration of the universal full-frame zoom lens Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art DG DN has shed almost 100 g of excess weight, improved in ergonomics, sharpness, and image detail.

The lens retains the optical scheme of its predecessor — 19 elements in 15 groups. However, there has been a significant increase in special lenses: the formula uses 6 fluorite-like FLD glasses, 5 aspherical lenses, and 2 SLD elements. Thanks to this, sharpness across the frame has been enhanced. The lens's beautiful background blur is ensured by an 11-blade aperture.

This universal zoom focuses quickly and silently. The minimum distance for autofocus is 17 cm. Among the new features, users will find a switch for a smooth or stepped aperture ring operation and a second focus lock button. The zoom drive in the lens remains telescopic.

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art DG DN II's body has reliable dust and moisture protection. It's also compatible with large 82 mm filters. The model is available for full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras, as well as Panasonic and Leica cameras.

The first lens from Sigma with an outstanding f/1.2 aperture is a 35mm fixed lens for full-frame mirrorless Sony, Panasonic, and Leica cameras. This model is well-suited for any photo and video shooting styles, including wedding photography, landscapes, architecture, or full-length portraits.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art has a dust and moisture-resistant construction, with an optical layout of "17 elements in 12 groups." Out of these lenses, three are aspherical, and another trio are extra-low dispersion. The lens has enough resolution capability to comfortably shoot with cameras featuring image sensors over 50 MP.

The f/1.2 aperture combined with the 11-blade aperture ensures impressive bokeh. Meanwhile, the model does not disappoint in terms of sharpness even when the aperture is wide open. It rightfully belongs to the artistic Sigma Art optics line. Additionally, the lens's design includes an aperture ring with the option to select between stepped and clickless rotation, a focus mode selector, and a reprogrammable focus lock button.

Videographers will appreciate the aforementioned clickless aperture operation and the silent autofocus system. However, the sizable dimensions and generous weight of the lens (about 1.1 kg) might require some getting used to. If size is a critical consideration, an alternative option is the original fixed lens for the Leica L system, the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8.

Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. is a high-class instrument for true professionals, intended for use in reportage-style photography, portrait shooting, or capturing distant objects.

This model is aimed at photographers with high demands, and it meets them in every way. Consider this: a telephoto lens with a range of 70-200 mm has a constant maximum f/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range, two types of focusing motors (linear and stepper), an optical image stabilization system, and dust and moisture protection for the body. The only downside is its large size and weight (over 1.5 kg).

The telephoto's optical scheme consists of 22 elements in 17 groups, with one aspherical lens, two low-dispersion elements, and three extra-low dispersion glasses. The lens can create beautiful, soft bokeh and is completely resistant to chromatic aberrations. Meanwhile, images have razor-sharpness with the aperture wide open. The built-in optical stabilizer works in conjunction with Panasonic's in-camera stabilization, providing compensation up to 7 stops of shutter speed or exposure. The user can choose between two stabilization modes.

On the body of the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S., there are three focus lock buttons spaced around the body — handy for any grip orientation. Notably, these can be reprogrammed from the camera menu. For focus mode switching, the model has a convenient Focus Clutch mechanism — shifting the focus ring backward or forwards. Finally, the lens is equipped with a removable Arca Swiss profile tripod foot — compatible with corresponding heads without the need for an additional plate. Among competitors, the model is noted for only the more affordable and less bright Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4.0 O.I.S..