Panasonic Lenses: The Year in Review, 2019

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One half of Micro Four Thirds and one third of the L Mount Alliance, Panasonic is in a unique position where it is actively developing cameras and lenses for two separate systems. 2019 was definitely dedicated more to the L mount, with six new lenses being released along with three new full-frame mirrorless cameras. That alone would be a busy year for most, but Panasonic also made sure to keep its more compact Micro Four Thirds line fresh with a few new lenses, too.

With its burgeoning full-frame L-mount system clearly the priority of the year, Panasonic spent 2019 carving out a very strong foundation of lenses. Announced alongside its first two full-frame bodies, the S1 and S1R, Panasonic released the first three lenses for the system, with a 24-105mm f/4, a 50mm f/1.4, and a 70-200mm f/4. Considering at the Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. first, this lens is a perfect start for a brand-new system, and is a lens that should be a mainstay for a long time. Besides its versatile wide to short-tele range and constant f/4 design, it also touts a “Macro” designation for working with close-up subjects at up to a 1:2 magnification. Also, it has an Optical Image Stabilizer to counter camera shake, and this works in conjunction with camera-based IS for 5-axis Dual I.S. 2.


Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. Lens

The other zoom introduced at the L-mount launch was the Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 O.I.S., which serves as the initial telephoto zoom fit with an Optical Image Stabilizer, double focus system for especially fast performance, and a constant f/4 maximum aperture to retain a reasonable size for handheld shooting. This 70-200mm is also the first zoom in Panasonic PRO line, and contains a suite of specialized elements to reduce a variety of aberrations throughout the zoom range for well-controlled image quality.


Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 O.I.S. Lens

The third and final lens announcement during this launch event early in the year was for the first L-mount prime from Panasonic: the Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4. This fast normal-length lens sets a standard for future primes to come, with its bright f/1.4 design, liberal use of specialized elements, a double focus with linear and stepping AF motors, and a manual focus clutch mechanism for finer control over manual focusing.


Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 Lens

Later in 2019, Panasonic continued to strengthen its foundation for the L mount, with the introduction of yet another workhorse of a lens: the Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f/2.8. This standard zoom will certainly find its place in the bags of most working shooters who are using Panasonic’s full-frame cameras, and is also the first f/2.8 zoom for the system. Like other PRO lenses, it has a double focus system, 11-blade diaphragm, manual focus clutch, and a sophisticated optical design. Similarly, released toward the end of 2019, Panasonic also released the second 70-200mm with the Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. Besides the obvious f/2.8 vs. f/4 difference between the two same focal length lenses, this f/2.8 version also gains a more complex optical design that helps to suppress a variety of aberrations, as well as better suppress focus breathing to suit video applications.


Panasonic Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens

Closing out the L-mount announcements for the year, Panasonic also addressed the wide-angle end with the Lumix S PRO 16-35m f//4 zoom. A double-magnet linear AF system is used this time, to achieve speedy AF performance, and a manual focus clutch is available again for more focusing responsiveness. Like all PRO-series lenses, this 16-35mm is splash-, dust-, and freezeproof for working in inclement weather.


Panasonic Lumix S PRO 16-35mm f/4 Lens

Turning to Micro Four Thirds now, Panasonic announced a trio of lenses for the system, including two updates and one wholly new lens. The Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. and Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 II ASPH. are second-generation versions of these esteemed lenses and have both been updated with enhanced weather sealing to suit working in harsh climates and to better match the rugged designs of more of their camera bodies. The Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 ASPH., on the other hand, is a brand-new design combining a wide to normal-length zoom range with a very impressive f/1.7 constant maximum aperture. This ultra-fast zoom also makes use of a series of low dispersion and aspherical elements to control a variety of aberrations and has a fast 240 fps AF drive for quick and accurate focusing performance.


Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens

2019 was a busy year for Panasonic, with most of it spent establishing and reinforcing this company’s efforts with the L Mount Alliance. The initial sextet of lenses that have been released form a strong starting point for a move into full-frame and set the stage for a more creative 2020 in terms of unique focal lengths and other optical surprises for the Lumix S1-series cameras. Also refreshing this year was the attention given to Micro Four Thirds; while not given much of the spotlight, Panasonic made sure to show everyone that they’re not forgetting their existing mirrorless line and are still actively developing lenses and cameras for fans of the smaller sensor size.

What are your thoughts on Panasonic’s lens releases of 2019? What lenses are you hoping to see from this manufacturer in 2020? Let us know in the Comments section, below.

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