Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Announced January 8, 2024
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
Exceptional
The Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro stands out as the most compact and lightweight 1:1 macro lens available for L-mount systems. While it lacks built-in optical image stabilization, it delivers excellent sharpness and fast, silent autofocus that performs reliably for both macro and portrait photography.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent sharpness and image quality
- Exceptionally lightweight and compact design
- Fast, quiet, and reliable autofocus
- Beautiful bokeh and smooth out-of-focus transitions
- Weather-sealed construction
Cons
- Absence of optical image stabilization
- Occasional autofocus hunting in close-up or low-light conditions
- Limited tactile controls and missing programmable buttons
- Visible focus breathing or lens flare under specific conditions
- High retail price point
- Launch price $999.99 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 100mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage L-Mount Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 20.3 cm (1x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor Linear motor
- Weight & size 298g (10.5 oz) · 73.6 x 82 mm (2.90 x 3.23 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Lumix S 100mm 2.8 Macro is a welcome addition to the L-mount system, delivering sharp results across the frame, near and far.
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If I were an L-mount user, I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
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With such a classy performance and such smooth handling, the Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens is without doubt awarded the accolade of Editor's Choice.
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The Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro is the lightest and most compact macro lens currently available for L-mount cameras, delivering great image quality with the minimum of fuss.
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The Panasonic Lumix 100mm hugely impresses with its compactness for a full-frame 1:1 macro lens, contrasting starkly with larger competitors. Complementing Panasonic's other prime lenses, its size consistency aids in balancing cameras for video work.
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The image quality of this macro lens is very good, excellent sharpness from center to corner, very little amount of chromatic aberration. [...] there really is no major weakness.
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[T]his is a super impressive lens with very solid performance and results.
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This lens is quite outstanding in sharpness and AF speed. It is also the smallest, lightest option if you want a high-performance 100mm portrait or tele prime.
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The Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro is one of the most impressive lenses that I've tested in a long time. [...] I will definitely revisit this lens [...] but for now I very highly recommend it.
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Everything you point the lens at looks great. So, super impressed and definitely a good addition to the kit bag.
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This is the smallest and lightest short telephoto true 1:1 maximum magnification macro I have ever had in hand by far, and this is huge. It fundamentally changes the balance and handling of whatever camera to which it is mounted.
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It's a fantastic lens and the pricing is up there with the competitors as well, so I won't complain too much about that, but overall really good lens and I definitely recommend it if you're rocking the S5II or the S5IIx or if you have an L-mount compatible unit [...]
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I'm really impressed with this 100mm; I think the main selling point of this lens is just how small and compact it is, and in that small form factor, you don't sacrifice any quality or functionality [...]
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The new Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro is undeniably a quality piece of kit, and the fact that it’s so compact and lightweight is a massive plus.
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The 85mm f/1.8, however, will not allow me to copy negatives and if you count macro photography as one of your important genres it is hard to ignore the Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro.
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It’s fast to focus, the image quality is very very good, and overall I am very impressed.
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I personally think this is a fantastic addition to the Panasonic native lens lineup.
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Panasonic Lumix have done something super special with this lens. It's the Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro [...] what they have done with it has made it so much more than just a macro lens.
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This one also delivers outstanding results and it is a perfect match for S5, S5II or S5IIx If you need a lens to shoot macro with as well as portrait, street photography or even landscape, you should definitely check it out.
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So I've been playing around with this lens for a while and I've got to say that I'm extremely impressed with it, and it's definitely one that's going to be staying in my lens kit because it is super lightweight, it is super small, and it's extremely sharp [...]
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The S-E100 F2.8 Macro from LUMIX is a great lens to open up new directions in your photography, and maybe open a few doors for your creativity as well.
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To tie it all up, I really like the 100. This is the lens I'm going to be adding to my kit as soon as possible because of the great autofocus performance, the fantastic image quality, and just the ability to get up really close on your subject and get amazing shots.
