Panasonic Leica DG Vario Elmarit 12-35mm F/2.8 ASPH Power O.I.S.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F/2.8 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. – Compact all-round zoom for photo and video

This Leica-branded Lumix G lens delivers a compact, versatile zoom range designed for both photography and video. It covers wide angle, normal and short telephoto perspectives, making it an excellent choice as an all-round lens for Micro Four Thirds users.

Advanced autofocus and video-friendly control

The lens supports smooth, silent operation to work with your camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system. It can handle sensor drive at a maximum 240 fps, which helps with rapid and accurate focusing.

For video, the lens reduces focus breathing and includes micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure transitions. These features help you achieve professional-quality video recording by minimizing common issues that arise when using stills lenses for motion work.

Image stabilization and Dual I.S. 2

The lens features POWER O.I.S. for optical image stabilization. When combined with a camera body that has Body I.S., the system supports Dual I.S. 2. Together, these systems provide effective hand-shake correction to improve handheld shooting stability in both photo and video situations.

Optical construction and coatings

The optical design comprises fourteen lens elements arranged in nine groups. The construction includes four aspherical lenses, one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens element.

Panasonic updated the glass material of the UHR element to a type with higher transmittance to achieve more natural color reproduction. In addition, Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating applies a nanometer-level microstructure thin coating to reduce reflections. According to the manufacturer, this coating reduces reflection across the entire wavelength of 380-780 mm including the visual light range.

Combined with a newly adopted light-shielding part, the coating and design help minimize occurrence of ghosting and flare for clearer image rendering.

Rugged, mobile design

The lens exterior has been refined to match the Leica name. At approximately 306 g it remains compact and lightweight, supporting the portability that the Micro Four Thirds system offers. The lens also features a dust- and splash-resistant construction and is designed to withstand use under harsh conditions, including operation at 10 degrees below zero.

Other physical details include a 58 mm filter diameter and a 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm for pleasing out-of-focus rendering.

Who this lens suits

• Photographers who need a single, versatile zoom for wide, normal and short telephoto shooting.
• Videographers who require smooth focus transitions, reduced focus breathing and reliable stabilization.
• Users who shoot outdoors and need a lens with dust/splash resistance and low-temperature performance.

FAQ

question: Is this lens suitable for both stills and video?
Answer: Yes. The lens is designed as a compact all-round zoom for both photo and video. It includes features aimed at video work—such as focus breathing suppression and micro-step aperture control—while also offering fast, silent autofocus for stills.

question: How does stabilization work with this lens?
Answer: The lens has built-in POWER O.I.S. and, when paired with a camera body that offers Body I.S., supports Dual I.S. 2 for improved hand-shake correction. This combination helps stabilize both photos and handheld video.

question: What optical elements and coatings reduce flare and ghosting?
Answer: The lens uses four aspherical elements, one UED and one UHR element, along with Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating. Together with a newly adopted light-shielding part, these measures help minimize ghosting and flare.

question: Is the lens rugged enough for outdoor use?
Answer: Yes. The external design is dust- and splash-resistant and is specified to operate at temperatures down to 10 degrees below zero, supporting use in challenging outdoor conditions.

question: What filter size does the lens use?
Answer: The lens accepts 58 mm filters.

question: Will this lens work with my Micro Four Thirds camera’s autofocus system?
Answer: Yes. The lens is designed for the Micro Four Thirds system and works with high-speed contrast AF systems, supporting sensor drive up to a maximum of 240 fps for responsive performance.