The best lenses for Panasonic full-frame mirrorless cameras

The first sign from Sigma with an outstanding f/1.2 aperture was a 35mm prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras from Sony, Panasonic and Leica. The model will perfectly cope with any genre of photo and video shooting, be it wedding photography, landscapes, architecture or full-length portraits.

Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art has a dust- and moisture-proof design, inside of which an optical design of the “17 elements in 12 groups” format is placed. Of the total number of lenses, three pieces of glass are aspherical, and another trio are ultra-low dispersion. The resolution of the lens is easily enough for comfortable shooting on cameras with an image sensor over 50 MP.

The highest aperture of f/1.2, coupled with an 11-blade aperture, is the key to obtaining a spectacular bokeh pattern. At the same time, the model does not disappoint in terms of sharpness from open apertures. No wonder it belongs to the artistic line of Sigma Art optics. Additionally, the design of the lens includes an aperture ring with the ability to select stepwise and clickless rotation, a focus mode selection slider, and a reprogrammable focus lock button.

Videographers will appreciate the model's aforementioned continuously variable aperture and silent operation of the autofocus system. But you have to put up with the dimensions and considerable weight of the prime lens - the lens weighs down the camera body by about 1.1 kg. If the choice of this parameter is critical, an original prime lens for the Leica L system in the form of the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 will serve as an alternative to the model.

In the Panasonic optics fleet, under the guard of full-frame mirrorless cameras, there is a whole line of prime lenses with similar dimensions and f/1.8 aperture. This was done for the sake of convenience of video shooting - using models that are similar in weight allows you to avoid balancing the stabilizer every time you change optics. The family is headed by the 85 mm portrait prime, and it also includes 24/35/50 mm models.

The model has a simple optical design of 9 elements in 8 groups. Moreover, “under the hood” the lens does not have aspherical lenses at all, and only a couple of elements with ultra-low dispersion are installed from special glasses. The absence of aspherics has a positive effect on the softness of the background blur - the bokeh looks neat and interesting, with proper “purity” of the highlights.

The Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 is suitable for both portraits and other photography genres. All thanks to silent focusing and excellent sharpness across the entire field of the frame even from open apertures. The model also performs well in video recording mode, for which it is possible to change the stroke of the focusing ring from nonlinear to linear. The only “but” is the presence of a “breathing effect” when refocusing, which can interfere with videographers.

As for other complaints about the model, there are complaints regarding noticeable vignetting at the open apertures. However, for portrait optics, “vignette” is only useful. The lens receives a separate plus for its reliable performance in backlit conditions(even without using the included lens hood). The advantages of the model are reinforced by the dust and moisture protection of the case. Among the portrait photographer's competitors, I would like to highlight the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art - this “glass” will cost more, but will give an additional ⅔ stop of exposure due to its higher aperture ratio.

A wide viewing angle for full-frame mirrorless cameras from Sony, Leica and Panasonic is provided by the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art zoom lens.

The model was developed from scratch specifically for the cavalry of mirrorless cameras with a full-frame image sensor. Its optical design is quite complex and consists of 18 elements in 13 groups, including six low-dispersion lenses and three aspherical glasses. The integrated work of the optical group allows you to completely get rid of unpleasant artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, and special Super Multi-Layer and Nano Porous coatings help suppress stray reflections and halos.

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art boasts highly detailed images across the entire range of focal lengths. The main thing is that the lens aperture remains unchanged at f/2.8. Add here an 11-blade aperture and we get the opportunity to see remarkable bokeh when shooting relatively close-ups. At the same time, spherical aberrations characteristic of wide-angle optics are also minimized.

Sigma's Shirik has a quiet and fast stepper motor autofocus system with functions for focusing on eyes and faces. To lock focus, a separate button is provided on the body of the model, which can be reassigned from the camera menu to perform other commands. Reliable operation of the lens is ensured thanks to the dust and moisture protection of the housing.

It won’t take long to go broke purchasing the “native” Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for Panasonic full-frame cameras. But there is no need to be upset - a high-quality zoom lens Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art will cost half as much.

The model from the “art” line of Sigma Art optics covers popular focal lengths from 24 to 70 mm and has a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. Sharpness across the entire frame area remains consistently high with the apertures open. In addition, the model is optimized for video shooting - a tenacious and silent autofocus stepper motor is installed inside it. The minimum focusing distance in automatic mode is 18 cm from the plane of the camera matrix.

The optical design of the zoom lens contained 19 elements in 15 groups. The model uses a variety of lens coatings to improve image quality and prevent contamination of the front glass. By the way, filters with a diameter of 82 mm can be attached to the front frame of the lens. Despite its retractable trunk design, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art has basic dust and splash protection.

The lens allows you to achieve spectacular background blur when shooting with a shallow depth of field. This is largely due to the 11-blade diaphragm design. The only thing missing from the model is an optical stabilizer. However, full-frame Panasonic cameras a priori provide for the presence of a matrix stub, which ensures smooth video recording and helps to gain a couple of stops of shutter speed or exposure when shooting in low light conditions.

Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 OIS is a high-quality tool for true professionals, which is intended to be used in reportage photography, when shooting portraits or objects at a distance.

The model is aimed at photographers with high demands and it fully corresponds to these. Judge for yourself, a telephoto camera with a range of focal lengths of 70-200 mm has a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, two types of focusing drives (linear and stepper), an optical image stabilization system, and dust and moisture protection of the body. The only disadvantages of the lens are its large dimensions and heavy weight (over 1.5 kg).

The optical design of the telephoto consists of 22 elements in 17 groups with one aspherical lens, two low dispersion elements and three ultra-low dispersion glasses. The lens can “draw” beautiful soft bokeh and is completely immune to chromatic aberrations. At the same time, the picture literally “rings” with sharpness from an open aperture. The optical stabilization on board the model works in conjunction with matrix stabilization inside Panasonic cameras and provides compensation of up to 7 stops of shutter speed or exposure. The user has two stabilization modes to choose from.

On the body of the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 OIS there are a trio of focus lock buttons - for any grip type. By the way, they are reprogrammable from the camera menu. To switch focusing modes, the model has a convenient Focus Clutch mechanism - moving the focusing ring back or forward. Finally, the lens is equipped with a removable tripod foot with an Arca Swiss profile - it is directly compatible with the corresponding standard heads without the need for an additional platform. Of the model's competitors, only the more affordable and less fast-aperture Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4.0 OIS telephoto is noted.