Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH
Announced March 24, 2014
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH is a compact, metal-bodied prime lens that serves as a versatile walkaround option for street and landscape photography. While it delivers sharp images with a fast aperture and quick autofocus, users may encounter noticeable distortion and a lack of weather sealing.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- High image sharpness and contrast with pleasant bokeh
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Compact, lightweight, and robust all-metal construction
- Useful f/1.7 aperture for low-light shooting and depth-of-field control
- Integrated manual aperture ring for precise exposure adjustments
Cons
- Significant optical distortion and vignetting
- Aperture ring is prone to accidental adjustment and lacks compatibility with some camera bodies
- Softness in corners and edges at wider apertures
- Lack of weather sealing
- Absence of built-in optical image stabilization
- Launch price $599 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 15mm f/1.7
- Mount & coverage Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 20 cm
- Filter thread 46mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 115g (4.1 oz) · 57.4 x 36.07 mm (2.26 x 1.42 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Leica Summilux 15mm f1.7 is a high quality general-purpose prime lens for Panasonic and Olympus bodies, and one that’s also priced fairly compared to alternative options.
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[T]he Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 is an easy-to-use lens that creates satisfactory images for casual documentative photography.
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[T]he Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15 mm f/1.7 ASPH had a real chance to be a hit in that class but our test shows clearly that it squandered its potential a bit.
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The Leica name is like a seal of quality for Panasonic's Micro Four thirds lenses, and this lens lives up to the reputation in many ways.
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The Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH is an excellent moderate wide-angle prime lens that is small and light enough to be carried in a coat pocket if required.
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I’ve really enjoyed shooting with the Summilux 15mm f/1.7, and found it to be an accomplished performer in day-to-day shooting.
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The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. is a sharp, compact lens with a wide aperture and all metal build, but it does exhibit a little bit of distortion.
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The Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 is a lens with many merits. Besides boasting a handy focal length for both street and landscapes, it is extremely small, light and compact.
- Photo Review 8.8/10
The fast f/1.7 maximum aperture and associated depth-of-field control are the key features that will attract buyers of this lens since its modest wide-angle coverage is included in all popular kit lenses.
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It’s a solid lens and a great ‘take anywhere’ prime that is capable of producing excellent images in most any situation.
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The Panasonic Leica Summilux DG 15mm f/1.7 ASPH is a great little lens for astrophotography.
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Then again, having in mind how small it is, how much I actually enjoy using it, and the fact almost none of the issues are actually visible in real life images, my overall conclusion is very positive. In fact, this is the lens I bought for myself and will be keeping it.
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So yeah, overall I'm wrapped with this Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens. I couldn't be happier; it seems to take a lot of the boxes that I was looking for.
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[F]or a prime lens, for a single focal length, which is About a wide angle coverage which is close to 28 millimeters equivalent, I find that this Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH to be the best option out there.
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The compact, lightweight design, alongside all of the subjects it can be used to capture, makes this lens a great addition to your kit bag.
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If a lens is capable of delivering your favorite imagery, there's likely no price that stands in the way of recommending it. That's the case with the Pana Leica 15mm.
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It's an excellent general purpose walkaround lens, and like all of today's high-end MFT lenses, you would have to resort to nitpicking for criticism.
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I am not usually a fan of lenses around the 28mm focal length but I definitely enjoyed my time with the 15mm Summilux, and this lens would one hundred percent have a place in my micro four thirds kit.
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I think this is a cracking lens, and out of the two would definitely choose this. It just feels better to me in that IQ, anyway.
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It immediately became my new go-to lens for photo walks and joy shooting, and that's something I've fallen out of the habit of doing.
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[...] Panasonic and Leica released a very nice lens. It is versatile, well designed, and pleasant to use for many types of shots.
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I would say I would definitely recommend having this in your kit if you're a little bit more of a serious filmmaker.
