Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
Announced January 5, 2016
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Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. offers Micro Four Thirds photographers a compact, lightweight super-telephoto option with extensive reach. Although the price is high and the aperture is narrow at longer focal lengths, it remains a standout choice for handheld wildlife and sports photography.
Weighted from 14 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent sharpness and optical quality
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Durable, weather-sealed construction
- Highly effective optical stabilization
- Compact and lightweight design
Cons
- Slow maximum aperture at long focal lengths
- Challenging zoom ring operation
- Flare and light-related image issues
- High price point
- Inconsistent performance at extreme focal ranges
- Launch price $1,799 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 100-400mm f/4-6.3
- Mount & coverage Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus (0.25x)
- Filter thread 72mm
- Autofocus motor Micromotor
- Weight & size 985g (2 lb 2.7 oz) · 83 x 171.5 mm (3.27 x 6.75 in)
Expert Reviews
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All of this adds up to a lens that’ll delight wildlife and sports shooters who use the Micro Four Thirds format; indeed unless you’re happy shooting with the fixed focal length of the Olympus 300mm f4, I’d say it’s your best bet for a high-end long telephoto.
- OpticalLimits 7.5/10
The Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Power OIS is a unique and probably quite under-appreciated lens. Unlike pretty much all other lenses on the market, it combines compact size, extreme reach and very decent quality in an affordable package.
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Add to that very solid workmanship, a very efficient autofocus and good correction of the majority of optical aberrations. Still it’s hard not to think that the current lens’s price tag is definitely too high.
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This Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm lens fits its purpose very well indeed, at a price which, although high, is reasonable in its class.
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The Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH Power O.I.S. is testament to the advantages that Micro Four Thirds offers in terms of size and weight - we can't think of another 200-800mm equivalent lens that weighs under 1kg!
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A great lens for sports and wildlife photography with Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Panasonic 100-400mm punches well above its diminutive size and weight.
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Well, the truth is that it might be the best middle ground you can find right now for the M4/3 system.
- Photo Review 9/10
Panasonic’s Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH lens has a compact and lightweight body; it’s arguably the lightest 200-800mm equivalent lens on the market.
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The compact size, outstanding reach and good optical stabilizer combine to make this truly a handholdable supertelephoto option, something that is rare in the photography world.
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It’s a beautiful world, and at least for me, this lens is going to help me capture that much more of it.
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Is it still really, really good? Yes, it is, and for the price and size, I’m not sure it can be beaten.
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Currently, I think this is the best option for Micro Four Thirds shooter who's interested in any kind of wildlife or similar photography.
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In effect, it's like taking pictures through a powerful telescope. If you need what it does, it's not expensive; it's a good buy. If you don't, once the novelty has worn off, it'll just be excess weight in your bag or on a shelf at home.
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Micro-43 users had to wait a long time for this lens, but it is worth the wait. This is an absolute winner.
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