Panasonic announces revised 25mm f/1.4 MFT lens & brand-new Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 full-frame lens
posted Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 2:29 PM EDT
Panasonic has announced two new lenses, one for each of its interchangeable lens camera systems. The first is a revised version of the Micro Four Thirds Leica DG 25mm f/1.4 prime lens and the second is a pro-oriented 24-70mm f/2.8 L-mount lens for the Lumix S Series of full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Looking first at the new Micro Four Thirds lens, the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 II ASPH. The two primary improvements in this revised prime lens are its high-speed autofocus compatibility and a more rugged splash/dust-resistant construction. The 50mm-equivalent fast prime promises quick, smooth and quiet autofocus operation and is compatible with sensor drive autofocus at a maximum of 240 frames per second, allowing users to achieve fast focus with compatible high-speed AF cameras.
In total, the lens has 9 elements in 7 groups, which is the same amount as its predecessor. Despite improved weather sealing, the new version of the lens has essentially the same weight of 7.2 ounces (205 grams) and identical physical dimensions. The Panasonic Leica DG 25mm f/1.4 II can focus as close as 0.98 feet (0.3 meters), which results in a maximum magnification of 0.11x (0.22x in 35mm camera equivalence). The Panasonic Leica DG 25mm f/1.4 II ASPH will be available this October with a suggested retail price of $699.99 USD.
For Lumix S series owners, the new Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 lens promises high-quality professional-level performance and image quality. The 24-70mm f/2.8 is a fast, constant-aperture standard zoom lens which Panasonic promises will deliver "high descriptive performance across the entire zoom range."
Built for the rigors of professional photography, the S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 lens features a rugged dust- and splash-resistant design. Further, the lens features a double focus system, which combines linear and stepping motors to drive focus at 480 frames per second. The lens includes a focus clutch mechanism, meaning you can instantly switch between autofocus and manual focus on the fly. For video users, the lens has also been designed to minimize focus breathing.
Optically, the lens includes 18 elements in 16 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses, 4 ED lenses and a single UHR element. To help create pleasing bokeh, the rounded aperture diaphragm includes 11 blades. The lens can focus as closely as 1.21 feet (0.37 meters), which results in a maximum magnification of about 0.25x.
The lens is approximately 5.51 inches (140 millimeters) long with a maximum diameter of 3.58 inches (90.9mm). The lens has an 82mm filter thread. In total, the Panasonic 24-70mm f/2.8 lens weighs 32.98 ounces (935 grams) without the lens hood, which is slightly heavier than some competing mirrorless 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses, including those from Sony and Nikon.
The Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 lens will be available starting this October at a suggested retail price of $2,199.99 USD. Further, Panasonic has promised that by 2020, the company will design and develop 10 or more Lumix S Pro and other lenses. When accounting for Panasonic, Leica Camera AG and Sigma lenses for L-mount, there will be more than 45 available lenses.
For more on Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds and full-frame S Series cameras and lenses, stay tuned to Imaging Resource. If you'd like to learn more about the latest S Series camera, the S1H, head to our expanding Panasonic S1H Preview!