Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F/5-7.1 O.I.S.

Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1 O.I.S. – Telephoto Zoom with Long Reach and Dual I.S. 2 Stabilization

The Panasonic LUMIX S 100–500mm F5–7.1 O.I.S. is a high-quality telephoto zoom lens that offers fantastic flexibility for L-mount users. With its ability to handle distant subjects, such as wildlife and sports scenarios, in a compact and user-friendly format, this lens is the perfect choice for both enthusiasts and professional photographers and filmmakers. Whether you are filming a motorsport event or capturing beautiful landscapes, this lens will deliver impressive results.

Key Uses and Benefits

This lens is ideal when you need an extended focal length without complicated settings. With a focal length range of 100–500 mm, it is perfect for wildlife and sports where the subject is often at a distance. It is also excellent for compressed landscape shots, allowing you to capture dramatic and beautiful views with ease. Its user-friendly design makes it easy for both L-mount photographers and filmmakers to focus on what matters – the subject rather than the equipment.

Optical Construction and Image Quality

The optical construction of the Panasonic LUMIX S 100–500mm F5–7.1 O.I.S. consists of 19 elements in 12 groups, including UED, ED, and UHR glass. This carefully designed construction ensures that you achieve high resolution throughout the zoom range. With an aperture featuring 11 blades, you also get a smooth and pleasant background blur, helping your main subject stand out from the background. For even more reach, you can use compatible 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, allowing for focal lengths up to 1000 mm to capture even more distant subjects.

Stabilization and Autofocus

The lens supports Dual I.S. 2 stabilization, rated up to 7.0 stops (CIPA, at 500 mm with a compatible camera body). This stabilization works in conjunction with compatible Lumix cameras to ensure that you get sharp images even when handheld shooting at long focal lengths. The autofocus is driven by a Dual Phase Linear Motor, providing fast and quiet focusing that is ideal for both still photography and video recording.

Video-Friendly Features

For filmmakers, this lens offers several features that minimize focus breathing and provide micro-stepped aperture control. These features are crucial when it comes to avoiding distracting changes during focus pulls and enable smooth and steady aperture transitions during video recording. Therefore, the lens supports professional video performance, making it perfect for recording moving subjects or during focus adjustments.

Close Focus and Handling

The lens offers a minimum focus distance of 0.8 m at 100 mm and 1.5 m at 500 mm, with a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.36×. Controls include a customizable focus ring, a focus button, a focus limiter, AF/MF and O.I.S. switches, as well as a zoom limiter, allowing you to easily adapt the lens to your needs and the current shooting situation. These features enable quick adjustments to capture wildlife, sports, or handheld photography.

Build Quality and Portability

The lens has a weather-resistant construction, making it an excellent choice for working under demanding outdoor conditions. Despite its impressive reach, it is still easy to carry throughout the day, making it an ideal companion for field photography. The lens measures 196.1 mm in length and uses a front filter with a diameter of 82 mm, making it easy to use with standard filters.

Frequently asked questions

What focal length range does the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F/5-7.1 O.I.S. offer?
The lens has a focal length range of 100–500 mm.

What type of stabilization does the lens have?
The lens supports Dual I.S. 2 stabilization, rated up to 7.0 stops (CIPA, at 500 mm with a compatible camera body).

How many elements make up the optical construction?
The optical construction consists of 19 elements in 12 groups.

What features does the lens offer for filmmakers?
The lens offers features that minimize focus breathing and provide micro-stepped aperture control, which is important for smooth aperture transitions during video recording.