Panasonic Unveils 50mm f/1.4, 70-200mm f/4 OIS, and 24-105mm f/4 OIS S Lenses
Alongside its new S1R and S1 full-frame mirrorless cameras, Panasonic today also announced the first three full-frame lenses for the new S Series: the 50mm f/1.4, 70-200mm f/4 OIS, and 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS.
The L-Mount is a lens mount for mirrorless cameras that was launched by Leica and is equally suitable for both the APS-C format and full-frame cameras. Leica Camera, Panasonic and Sigma are set to offer a user-friendly solution that will allow photographers to ‘mix and match’ any of the three manufacturers’ APS-C and full-frame cameras with any lens from each other’s product portfolios. The aim of the L-Mount Alliance is to provide customers with a diverse and future-proof range of products. The advantages are a large inner diameter of 51.6 mm that enables the realization of extremely fast lenses and extremely compact dimensions. The configuration of the lens-to-camera communication interface is future-proof and the L-Mount also offers an option for the construction of sealed systems that are insensitive to dust and moisture.
Panasonic says all of its LUMIX S PRO lenses will be certified by Leica according to the German company’s “stringent Leica standards.”
50mm f/1.4
The new Panasonic S PRO 50mm f/1.4 is designed to be “the core of all LUMIX S Series lenses,” Panasonic says. “It provides smooth defocus gradation from the focus peak to the neighboring area of the image. It also describes the point light sources in the background as impressive, beautiful bokeh.”
Features and specs include 13 elements in 11 groups, a double focus system that uses linear and stepping motors for 480fps speed, a focus clutch mechanism for instant AF/MF switching, a focus breathing suppression mechanism for video recording, a 77mm filter diameter, an 11-blade circular aperture, and a dust/splash-resistant design.
70-200mm f/4 OIS
The Panasonic S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS features 23 elements in 17 groups, optical image stabilization (6 stops of compensation when paired with in-body stabilization), a linear motor with a max sensor drive speed of 480fps, a focus clutch mechanism for AF/MF switching, focus breathing suppression, a 77mm filter diameter, a 9-blade circular aperture, and dust/splash resistance.
24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS
The S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS is a wide-to-medium zoom lens that can also be used to shoot 0.5x macro photos with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m (~1 foot).
Features and specs include 16 elements in 13 groups, optical image stabilization (6 stops when paired with in-body IS), a linear motor with a 480fps sensor drive speed, focus breathing suppression, dust/splash resistance, a fluorine coating that repels water and oil, a 77mm filter diameter, and a 9-blade circular aperture.
Upcoming Lenses
Panasonic says it’s planning to design and develop at least 10 S PRO lenses by 2020 to expand the S Series lens lineup.
Pricing and Availability
All three lenses will ship in early April 2019. The 50mm f/1.4 will cost $2,299, the 70-200mm f/4 OIS will cost $1,699, and the 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS will cost $1,299.