Lens Reviews / Panasonic Lenses i Not yet tested

70-200mm	$2,398 average price

Updates:
11/25/2020: Field Test and Gallery Images added

 

Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. Field Test

Panasonic's fast 70-200mm full-frame Lumix S lens is excellent

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 11/25/2020

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 188mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 800. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In Panasonic's Lumix S series of full-frame lenses, there are several zooms, including a pair of 70-200mm telephoto lenses. I have gone hands-on with the Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. tele-zoom and Panasonic S1 camera to see how it performs.

Panasonic70-200mm f/2.8 S PRO Key Features and Specs

• Full-frame L-Mount lens
• Pro-oriented lens
• 34° to 12° field of view on a full-frame camera
• Aperture range is f/2.8 to f/22
• 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm
• Minimum focus distance of 3.12' (95cm) results in 0.21x maximum magnification
• Double focus system utilizing both linear and stepping motors to drive autofocus
• Built-in optical image stabilization
• Splash, dust and freeze-proof construction
• Removable rotating tripod collar
• Weighs 3.45 lbs. (1,570g) and is 8.21" (208.6mm) long without removable lens hood
• 22 elements in 17 groups, including 3 ED elements, 2 UED elements and 1 aspherical lens element
• 82mm front filter thread
• MSRP of just under $2,600 USD

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 167mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 200. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Lens design & handling: Large and heavy but rugged

The Panasonic 70-200mm f/2.8 lens offers a pleasing design, sharing similar aesthetics and materials as other S PRO lenses in Panasonic's full-frame lens lineup. At 3.45 pounds (1,570g), the lens is not lightweight, however. The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens weighs roughly 100g more than the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens, about 100g more than the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S and 500g more than Canon's very lightweight RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens. All four 70-200mm f/2.8 mirrorless lenses include image stabilization, so that doesn't help explain the weight difference.

In terms of size, the Panasonic 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is 8.21 in. (208.6mm) long without its lens hood and has a maximum diameter of 3.72 in. (94.4mm). The Panasonic's size is within the same general region as Sony and Nikon's pro zooms, but the Canon, once again, is an outlier at 5.75 in. (146mm) long. Granted, the Canon lens does extend as you increase the focal length, but compact size is still nice when packing the lens in a bag.

The Panasonic lens isn't lightweight nor compact, but it does feel excellent in the hands and balances well on the large Panasonic S1 camera body. In case you're curious, the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 O.I.S. lens, which is also excellent, weighs 985g and is just over 7 in. (179mm) long.

In use, the zoom ring and focus rings feel very nice and rotate with moderate resistance. The zoom ring goes from 70mm to 200mm in a bit less than 90° of rotation, so it's quick to go from the shortest to longest focal length. The ring is marked at 70, 100, 135 and 200mm focal lengths. The focus ring goes through its entire focus range in about 90° as well. Compared to many other mirrorless lenses, I appreciate that this lens has a focus scale, which is revealed when you slide back the focusing ring to enable manual focus mode. That said, I do find the red text for the imperial measurements on the focus scale a bit difficult to read against the black lens.

The lens has a pair of switches on the barrel near the lens mount. The first controls the focus range, with full focus range, 0.95m-5m and 5m-infinity options. The second switch controls the optical image stabilization (O.I.S.) functionality, with two modes and an 'off' setting. There are also three buttons between the zoom ring and the focus ring which you can use to perform functions such as AF-On, AE lock and more. The lens has a rugged tripod foot as well, which is removable and includes markers at each 90° interval.

Overall, while the Panasonic S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. lens is quite large and heavy, it is very well built. The rings, buttons and switches all feel high quality, the tripod foot works well, and the entire design is rugged and sturdy.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 2500. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Image quality and performance

Sharpness

The Panasonic 70-200mm f/2.8 lens includes 22 lens elements in 17 groups. Among these elements, three are ED elements, a pair are UED elements and a single aspherical element. Panasonic states that the aspherical element in particular acts to minimize distortions, spherical aberrations and vignetting.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. I shot the scene in full aperture increments at 70mm, 135mm and 200mm. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each focal length/aperture combination in the Gallery.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test image, full scene at 70mm. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

70mm

In terms of center sharpness, the lens performs well wide open at f/2.8. While the lens resolves more detail by stopping down to f/4, sharpness is still quite impressive at f/2.8. Color and contrast are excellent when shooting wide open, as well. Lines take on a slightly sharper edge when you stop down from maximum aperture, but it's a negligible difference when viewing the images at less than 100 percent.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 70mm, f/4, 1/640s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At f/5.6 and f/8, performance remains quite similar. I did not observe noticeable gains in terms of center sharpness by stopping down beyond f/4. At f/11-f/16, the image gets slightly softer but retains good detail. Finally, at the minimum aperture of f/22, there's noticeable softness due to diffraction.

When looking at corner sharpness, performance is unsurprisingly not as strong. However, even wide open at f/2.8, the extreme edges of the frame still deliver a fair amount of detail. There's certainly a noticeable loss in detail when viewing the image at 100 percent, but it's much less noticeable in more typical viewing situations. Stopping down, even to f/8, doesn't make a dramatic difference, however. The lens is consistent.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 70mm, f/8, 1/160s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

135mm

Performance at 135mm -- technically 136mm in my test shots -- is very good. At the center of the frame at f/2.8, the image is very detailed with good contrast and color. The gap between f/2.8 and f/4 at this mid-telephoto focal length is similar to the performance gap at 70mm, meaning that you can see an improvement in overall detail by stopping down, but performance at f/2.8 is still impressive. To my eyes, however, the improvement at f/5.6 is slightly more noticeable here than at 70mm. At this point, it's splitting hairs, but I still think it's worth mentioning.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/2.8, 1/1000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test image, full scene at 135mm. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/2.8, 1/1000s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The bottom left corner of the frame is fairly sharp. As before, some softness is noticeable when viewing the image at 100 percent, but the performance is good overall. The impact of stopping down is noticeable, and there's noticeably more clarity at f/4 and f/5.6 than at f/2.8, which may prove useful for photographers using the Panasonic 70-200mm f/2.8 for landscape photography.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/2.8, 1/1000s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 135mm, f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

200mm

At 200mm, center sharpness when shooting wide open is very good. Colors, contrast and edges look very good. While not true for just 200mm, you can see best at this focal length how good the Panasonic S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is with respect to controlling aberrations.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. Sharpness test image, full scene at 200mm. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

If you stop the lens down to f/4, there is a slight increase in detail, but again, the lens performs very well when shot wide open. At f/8, diffraction becomes slightly noticeable at 200mm, but performance remains good. At f/11 and beyond, the softness becomes increasingly more apparent.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/4, 1/400s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/8, 1/100s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/11, 1/50s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Corner performance at 200mm is fair. At f/2.8, there is some softness when viewing the image at 100 percent, but it's far from distracting. Performance doesn't change much either when stopping the lens down at 200mm.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/4, 1/400s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. This image has been converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall sharpness

The Panasonic S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 lens delivers good optical performance across the board, from 70mm to 200mm. Even when shooting wide open at f/2.8, the lens renders great detail and offers impressive contrast, color and control of aberrations, especially in the center of the frame. Overall, it's a sharp lens delivering strong performance.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/16, 1.3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Autofocus and close focus performance

The Lumix 70-200mm f/2.8 lens utilizes a double focus system, including both a linear motor and a stepping motor. The dual motors promise fast, precise and quiet autofocus performance. In my time with the lens, the promise has certainly been met. The lens focuses quickly and quietly in most situations, even in low light.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 4000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In terms of close focus, the minimum focus distance is an impressive 3.12 ft. (95cm). This results in a maximum magnification of 0.21x, which is quite good. The lens can certainly be used for some close-up work, albeit not quite at macro levels.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 160. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 113mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 500. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Manual focus on this lens works really well thanks to the excellent customizability of manual focus control in the Panasonic S series of cameras. You can easily switch from AF to MF by utilizing the focus clutch mechanism; you simply slide the focus ring to switch between AF and MF.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 500. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the Field with the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8

Working with the Panasonic S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is great. While I do wish the lens was a bit lighter and perhaps more compact, there's no doubt that the lens delivers great performance across the board. It captures images with good detail in all the right places, renders nice bokeh, and the autofocus performance is quick and accurate.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 2500. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 2500. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The 70-200mm focal length is a staple in many enthusiast and professional kits with good reason. It's a versatile focal length, and it can work well for many different types of photography, including portraits, events, wildlife, landscapes and more.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 176mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 200. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 103mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 125. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 6400. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

This is a moderately expensive and heavy lens, however. If you don't need the f/2.8 maximum aperture, Panasonic's 70-200mm f/4 lens is also a great option. It's lighter and more affordable while still offering good image quality. In my opinion, the extra light gathering capabilities of the f/2.8 lens is worth the added weight and cost, but there's certainly a case to be made for the f/4 lens. At the end of the day, both are good choices.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 2000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. Field Test Summary

A versatile, rugged and sharp telephoto zoom lens

What I like most:

• Rugged build quality
• Excellent optical performance
• Good autofocus speed

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 149mm, f/5.6, 1/320s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Lens is quite large and heavy, even for a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom
• $2,600 is far from inexpensive

There is a lot to like about the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. lens. Build quality, imaging quality and overall performance are all excellent. Every camera system, even a fledgling one, should include a 70-200mm equivalent focal length zoom lens and Panasonic currently offers two. They're both great, but the f/2.8 version stands out as a particularly excellent lens.

Shot on a Panasonic S1. 200mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 400. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

• • •

 

(From Panasonic lens literature)

Panasonic Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f/2.8 OIS Overview

Designed and developed for professional field shooting, the LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200) uses 2 UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses and optimum alignment comprising 22 elements in 17 groups, effectively suppressing both axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Astigmatism is also corrected with an aspherical lens, achieving high resolving performance. Adoption of a double focus system suppresses fluctuation of aberration even at close distances, which results in high descriptive performance from the center to the corners over the entire zoom range despite its large aperture.

Covering from 70mm to 200mm, the use of a Teleconverter allows a maximum 280mm (1.4x, with DMW-STC14) and 400mm (2x, with DMW-STC20) super telephoto shooting^*1, with maximum 480 fps focus control for high-speed, high-precision auto focus. The O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in the lens complies with the camera’s Body I.S. and the 5-Axis Dual I.S. 2*² makes it possible to use a 7-stop slower shutter speed*³. Adoption of a focus clutch mechanism enables instant AF/MF switching and accurate manual focusing.

The constant F2.8 large aperture provides smooth defocus gradation from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image to achieve a beautiful bokeh effect as well as a rich perspective. The LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem in all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography.

The rugged, dust/splash-resistant*⁴ design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero for high mobility. The filter size is 82 mm, with an 11-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

The LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 will be available for US$2,599 and will ship in January 2020.

*¹ Use of the tele converter reduces the effective aperture by one f/stop (DMW-STC14) or two f/stops DMW-STC20)
*² 5-Axis Dual I.S. 2 can be used with the camera LUMIX S1R, S1 and S1H, as of November 6, 2019.
*³ Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=200mm, when LUMIX S1R/S1/S1H is used.]
*⁴ Dust and Splash Resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water. ]