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Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens

BH #PA126028LDG • MFR #H-ES12060
47 reviews
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens
Key Features
  • Micro Four Thirds System
  • 24-120mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Four Aspherical Elements
Spanning a useful wide-angle to short telephoto range, the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens from Panasonic is a 24-120mm equivalent zoom designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Designed in collaboration with Leica, this versatile lens utilizes four aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements to deliver well-corrected, sharp image quality that is void of color fringing and distortions. The lens also makes use of a linear motor for fast, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, and the POWER Optical Image Stabilizer system helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. Additionally, the durable metal body of the lens renders it splash, dust, and freezeproof to suit its use in trying environmental conditions.
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Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.... Overview

Spanning a useful wide-angle to short telephoto range, the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens from Panasonic is a 24-120mm equivalent zoom designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Designed in collaboration with Leica, this versatile lens utilizes four aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements to deliver well-corrected, sharp image quality that is void of color fringing and distortions. The lens also makes use of a linear motor for fast, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, and the POWER Optical Image Stabilizer system helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. Additionally, the durable metal body of the lens renders it splash, dust, and freezeproof to suit its use in trying environmental conditions.

Standard zoom for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, this lens provides a 24-120mm equivalent focal length range.
Four aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements contribute to minimizing chromatic and spherical aberrations and various distortions in order to produce a high degree of clarity, sharpness, and color accuracy.
Linear autofocus motor delivers fast AF performance that is also precise, smooth, and near-silent to benefit both stills and video applications.
POWER Optical Image Stabilizer minimizes the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting, and also supports the Dual I.S. function for increased stabilization performance.
Splash, dust, and freezeproof design benefits working in inclement weather conditions.
Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth and pleasing bokeh quality.
UPC: 885170306691

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.... Specs

Focal Length12 to 60mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 24 to 120mm)
Maximum Aperturef/2.8 to 4
Minimum Aperturef/22
Lens MountMicro Four Thirds
Lens Format CoverageMicro Four Thirds
Angle of View84° to 20°
Minimum Focus Distance7.87" / 20 cm
Maximum Magnification0.3x
Optical Design14 Elements in 12 Groups
Diaphragm Blades9, Rounded
Focus TypeAutofocus
Image StabilizationYes
Filter Size62 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)2.69 x 3.39" / 68.4 x 86 mm
Length at Maximum Extension4.72" / 120 mm
Weight11.29 oz / 320 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight1.22 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)7.2 x 4.55 x 4.4"

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.... Reviews

Linear focusing fixed

By Noah
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-02-04

I have found this lens to be OK for video with my prior main complaint being the very nonlinear focusing on the ring. The latest firmware update for the Panasonic BGH1 seems to have fixed this, as it can linearly focus now, no speed sensitivity associated with focus speed. I wish manufacturers would just look at legacy lenses, say the Zeiss lenses from 1920 on and even the Olympus lenses from 1980 onwards. The depth of field, focus, and even zoom could use a lot of human interface design from studying these old school lenses. I wish this had an aperture ring, but it generally is good for video, not suffering a lot from focus breathing or other issues. Depth of field is nice and controllable and not out of hand. The zoom is a little nonlinear with respect to aperture, but it is what it is, an adaptable, high-quality lens and arguably very good lens for the money.

The best M43 lens I own

By Jeffrey
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-28

This is a bit more expensive, but in every way it seems worth it: image clarity, build quality, AF and OIS performance all outstanding. AF seems faster and more precise than other lenses and OIS seems smoother, especially with a body that has IBIS for Dual OIS: best walking video I've had without a gimbal. I will be using this a lot.

Very good lens

By R
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-17

Panasonic Leica 12-60mm lens is a very good lens. I have a couple of issues. Firstly it is pricey for what it is. I know I know. Most expensive lenses are crazy expensive. Secondly the hood has an odd way of attachment to the front of the lens. Very minor complaint but being used to the usual way, I put a lot of force trying to turn the hood to attach it. Doesn't seem to be damaged at all though.

Excellent quality

By Stephen
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-03-29

Excellent quality in a compact, lightweight lens. Perfect zoom range.

Impossible to Rack Focus When Shooting Video

By Robert
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2019-10-20

If you are planning to rack focus while shooting video this is NOT the lens for you! Yes, you can manually focus this lens for still photography or prior to filming, however while recording video it is 100% IMPOSSIBLE to rack focus effectively. This is because the lens uses some crazy algorithm to change the focus throw based upon the focusing speed. I am an expert focus puller and yes, I had read the reviews about how difficult this lens is to manually focus, but I thought how bad can it really be? - As it turns out, it is SOFTWARE DRIVEN IMPOSSIBLY BAD! THE DETAILS: In general, when shooting video with any lens, you will need it to rack focus smoothly within a defined period of time, perhaps 1-2 seconds. The Panasonic Leica 12-60mm cannot achieve this. If you turn the focusing ring slowly you will eventually achieve focus after 6-8 seconds which is uselessly slow when filming. If you turn the focusing ring faster (the algorithm will shorten the focus throw) making you hunt back and forth, also useless.

best pro kit lens ever

By Benjamin Anthon
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2019-09-04

I bought this lens with my GH5 from a local dealer in my area and boy am I happy! This lens offers excellent sharpness and the focal length offers access to all the necessary focal lengths. I do photography as a hobby and videography for hire and it covers just about everything I need, 12mm for wide-angle landscapes, 25mm for video, 40mm for portrait, and 60mm for light telephoto/some macro. My only gripe with this lens and most lenses in the Panasonic Leica line up is the focus by wire which is not great for video or stills and the fact that the lens becomes f4 way earlier than I would have preferred. However, if you want the flexibility of a kit lens but the optics of a pro this is the lens to buy. The photos attached are from my most recent trip to the Sequoias and should give you an idea of how how flexible this lens is (note these are edited raw exported as jpeg)

Firmware Linear Focusing Makes It So Much Better

By Chris
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-01-12

Light. Sharp. Versatile. But past reviews are correct in saying that focus-by-wire is difficult on this lens. But the latest firmware updates (v 1.5) gives this lens linear focusing on certain Panasonic bodies, and it is an absolute joy! It takes me back to my ENG camera days when manually pulling focus was a breeze. Makes a great lens even greater!

Falls Short for a  Pro Lens

By Theodore
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-08

Panasonic promotes the PL elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 as a professional quality lens.  The lens sells at a premium price.  The colors and contrast of images from the copy I purchased recently were indeed very good.  The autofocus was snappy, but not exceptional.   However, after extensive testing of the lens with resolution charts and real world photography, I was disappointed in the acuity of the lens, which fell short of my exectations for a “professional level” lens.  By comparison, the image quality was definitely not in the same class as my G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 lens or my G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 lens, both of which I already own. The image quality was much more comparable to that of my G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6, which sells at almost half the price.   Since I could not justify the premium price of the 12-60mm lens,  I have returned it for a refund.

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Can this lens be used as a step zoom?
Asked by: David D.
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Asked by: noble
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