Panasonic designs and makes their own lenses, as well as in cooperation with Leica. The US distributor doesn't have a dedicated page for lens information, but you can find specifications and other information on their shop-and-compare page here.
Future lenses in development (2013):
- 42.5mm f/1.2
- 150mm f/2.8
(This rest of this page is an "accordion" of the sub-pages: you can click on a colored product name header bar below to reveal the contents of that sub-page here, or you can use the menu system above to navigate directly to a named sub-page.)
Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 ASPH
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- 16 elements in 12 groups (2 aspherical, 4 ED elements), nano coating
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- no filter ring
- 9" (.25m) minimum focus, 1:6.6 magnification ratio
- 3.27" (83.1mm) long, 2.95" (75mm) diameter
- 10.68 ounces (303g) weight
- built in petal-shaped lens hood
- Includes storage bag
- US$900 suggested retail
- Model Number H-F007014
Thom's Mini Review: Expensive. But it performs quite well in almost every situation I've used it in. Optical quality is quite high, with the corners being a bit compromised wide open, but not enough for me to worry about. Some chromatic aberration in the corners, but again, not enough for me to worry about, as it's easily removed in post these days. Autofocus is fast and reliable, manual focus difficult to assess. Doesn't have optical stabilization, but that really isn't a drawback on a lens this wide. The constant f/4 is a nice touch, saving you a stop at the long end in low light situations, and m4/3 needs as much aperture as it can get in low light. The built-in hood doesn't cover much area, but seems effective in reducing flare from the sides. The front element is fairly vulnerable, but this is m4/3, so the lens isn't jutting out that much in the first place. I've been able to keep the bulging front element on my sample from hitting anything. Very good build quality. This has been my m4/3 equivalent to the Nikkor 14-24mm, with my only real complaint about the Panasonic being that f/4 is limiting for low light work. Recommended
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Lumix GX 12-35mm f/2.8 ASPH
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing, HD designation (near silent during video shooting), splash proof/dust proof design
- Nano coating to suppress flare/ghosts
- power OIS optical image stabilization
- 14 elements in 9 groups, four aspherical, one high dispersion (UED), one UHR element
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 58mm filter ring
- 9" (.25m) minimum focus, 1:5.9 magnification ratio
- 2.9" (73.8mm) long, 2.7" (67.6mm) diameter
- 10.8 ounces (305g) weight
- included lens storage bag and hood
- Model Number H-HS12035
- US$1300
- Announced 5/21/2012, shipped June 2012
Thom's Mini-Review: This is a very sharp lens in the center, good at the edges, which gives the overall impression of high acuity, especially at f/2.8 where it is optically the best. It's better at 35mm than 12mm, though the center is still quite excellent at 12mm. The downsides are high degrees of linear distortion (without the automatic correction applied by cameras and many software packages, though this oddly still doesn't fully correct the distortion), and high vignetting and chromatic aberration at 12mm (same comment). Some people will be happy with this lens, some won't. It really boils down to whether you need f/2.8 in a 24-70mm equivalent zoom, I think. The price alone means this isn't the lens for everyone. On the plus side, this is a very well built lens, and it works very well for video (silent focus and smooth zooming). Personally, I was a bit surprised by its smallish size and weight; I was expecting a bigger lens based upon the pre-release chatter (I hadn't seen one up close during all the previews). That's not to say that it is small and light, just that it isn't huge and bulky. It's actually a very nice size on the front of the G5, GH3, or OM-D.
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Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- Mega-OIS optical image stabilization (no switch on lens)
- 12 elements in 9 groups, one aspherical element.
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 52mm filter ring
- 12" (.3m) minimum focus, 1:3 magnification ratio
- 2.5" (63.6mm) long, 2.39" (60.7mm) diameter
- 5.82 ounches (165g) weight
- included lens storage bag
- Model Number H-FS014042
Thom's Mini Review: This is the new kit lens for most of the Panasonic bodies. As such, it's a modestly specified lens. The thing to note is how big this lens is versus the Olympus kit lens. The Panasonic dwarfs the Olympus kit lens (especially when the Olympus is retracted). Thus, it seems a little out of place on the front of a small m4/3 body. Fortunately the lens performs near the top of one's expectations for a kit lens. Autofocus speed is good. No real optical flaws that make it undesirable, however this version of the lens does not have a switch for optical stabilization, that's done via the body menu system now. Zoom ring is slightly stiffer and catchy compared to the older lens. The lens' mediocre aperture specs do hurt low light use of the m4/3 bodies, though. You're much better off with a fast prime in low light. Very good build quality. Comes with removable hood and pouch. Not Recommended (older 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 or newer 14-42mm X are preferred)
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Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus, supports power zoom
- internal focusing
- Mega-OIS optical image stabilization (no switch on lens)
- 9 elements in 8 groups, two aspherical elements
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 46mm filter ring
- 8" (.2m) minimum focus, 1:3 magnification ratio
- 1.9" (49mm) long, 2.2" (56mm) diameter
- 4 ounces (110g) weight
- Black only
- Model Number ??
- Price US$??
- Announced January 29, 2013
Note: This is the newest kit lens for most of the Panasonic bodies. It doesn't collapse like the 14-42mm X, but it is smaller than previous 14-42mm non-collapsible lenses Panasonic has made.
Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH PZ X
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing, power zoom (power collapse/expand)
- power OIS optical image stabilization
- 9 elements in 8 groups, (4 aspherical, 2 ED elements), nano coating
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 37mm filter ring
- 9" (.2m) minimum focus, 1:58 magnification ratio at 14-20mm, 12" (.3m) minimum focus 20-42mm
- 1.1" (26.8mm) long, 2.4" (61mm) diameter when retracted
- 3.4 ounches (95g) weight
- included lens storage bag
- Available in silver or black
- US$350
- Model Number: H-PS14042K
Thom's Mini Review: This is my recommended kit lens for those of you with Panasonic bodies (it's an additional price above the normal kit lens, though). The X version of the 14-42mm is only a bit over 1" in depth when the camera is turned off; it automatically extends to a non-collapsed shooting mode when you power on the camera. It's small, light, and very competent optically (better MTF than the previous Panasonic kit lenses), but the big deal is that it really is the "right size" for the GX1 and GF5 bodies for compact carrying. This is an optimal travel lens for m4/3 users. There are two things you lose with this lens: zooming is via a rocker switch, not a ring; really close focus is only maintained through about 20mm. Neither is a dealer breaker for me, as the very small retracted size is a big draw. Recommended
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Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- Mega-OIS optical image stabilization (switch on lens)
- 12 elements in 9 groups, one aspherical element.
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 52mm filter ring
- 12" (.3m) minimum focus, 1:5 magnification ratio
- 2.4" (60mm) long, 2.4" (60mm) diameter
- 6.9 ounces (195g) weight
- included lens storage bag
- Model Number H-FS014042
Thom's Mini Review: This is the original kit lens for early Panasonic m4/3 bodies. As such, it's a modestly specified lens. That said, I still find it optically better than the 14-42mm that replaced it, though not as good as the 14-42mm X power lens that's an optional extra. It's the biggest of the three kit lenses, and heaviest, too, which makes it a bit out of place now. It does have an OIS switch on the lens. No Longer Recommended (newer 14-42mm X is preferred kit lens)
Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4-5.8 ASPH Mega OIS
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus (silent, fast video)
- internal focusing
- Mega OIS optical image stabilization
- 17 elements in 13 groups, (4 aspherical, 2 SD elements)
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 62mm filter ring
- 1.64' (.5m) minimum focus, <tk> magnification ratio
- 3.3" (84 mm) long, 2.76" (70mm) diameter
- 16.2 ounces (460g) weight
- included lens hood, lens storage bag
- US$850 suggested retail
- Model Number H-VS014140
Thom's Mini Review: Expensive. This is the original kit lens for the Panasonic GH1 and has continued to be the go-to lens for all the Panasonic m4/3 mount video cameras (GH1, GH2, AG-AF100). It feels way too large on the smaller m4/3 bodies, but acceptable in size if you're doing video on a tripod, which I think was the original intention here. Like the other Panasonic zooms, it performs quite well optically, with only minor flaws showing at the extremes. Autofocus performance is impressively fast considering this is lens has a lot of focal length and gets to a pretty strong telephoto at the far end. Even at extreme telephoto the autofocus was fast and precise.The lens' mediocre aperture specs do hurt low light use of the m4/3 bodies, though. You're much better off with a fast prime in low light. Very good build quality. Recommended (qualified)
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Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus (silent, fast video)
- internal focusing
- Power OIS optical image stabilization
- 14 elements in 12 groups, (3 aspherical, 2 ED elements)
- 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22 (at 14mm)
- 58mm filter ring
- 1-1.6' (0.3-0.5m) minimum focus, 1:2 maximum magnification ratio
- 2.95" (75 mm) long, 2.6" (67mm) diameter
- 9.35 ounces (265g) weight
- included lens hood, lens storage bag
- available in black, silver
- US$700
- Model Number H-FS014140
- Announced April 24, 2013, shipped May 2013
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Lumix G 35-100mm f/2.8
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- power OIS optical image stabilization (switch on lens)
- 18 elements in 13 groups, (2 ED, 1 UED elements), nano coating
- 7-blade rounded aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 58mm filter ring
- 2.8' (.85m) minimum focus, 1:? magnification ratio
- 3.9" (99.9mm) long, 2.7" (67.4mm) diameter
- 12.7 ounces (360g) weight
- included lens storage bag, lens hood
- Weatherproof, splashproof
- Price: US$1500
- Model Number: H-HS35100
- Announced September 17, 2012, shipped November 2012
Note: The other half of the f/2.8 pro-lens duo from Panasonic (the first being the 12-35mm). This lens is the equivalent of the 70-200mm on 35mm film and full frame digital cameras, and a long awaited lens.
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Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- Mega OIS optical image stabilization (no physical switch)
- 12 elements in 9 groups, (2 aspherical, one high refraction element)
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 52mm filter ring
- 3' (0.9m) minimum focus, 1:5.9 magnification ratio
- 2.9" (73mm) long, 2.4" (62mm) diameter
- 7.1 ounces (200g) weight
- included lens hood, storage bag
- comes in silver or black
- Model Number H-FS045150
- Price US$300
- Announced July 18, 2012, shipped September 2012
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Lumix G Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4-5.6 ASPH Power OIS
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus and power zoom (power collapse/expand)
- internal focusing
- Power OIS optical image stabilization
- 14 elements in 10 groups, (2 aspherical, 2 ED elements), nano coating
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 46mm filter ring
- 3' (0.95m) minimum focus, 1:5 magnification ratio
- 3.54" (90mm) long, 2.43" (61.6mm) diameter
- 7.5 ounces (210g) weight
- included lens hood (reversible), storage bag
- Available in silver or black
- Model Number H-FS045200
- Price: US$300
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Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega OIS
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- Mega OIS optical image stabilization
- 16 elements in 13 groups, 3 ED elements
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 52mm filter ring
- 3.3' (1m) minimum focus, 1:2.3 magnification ratio
- 3.94" (100mm) long, 2.76" (70mm) diameter
- 13.4 ounces (380g) weight
- included lens hood, storage bag
- price US$230
- Model Number H-FS045200
Thom's Mini Review: Inexpensive. This lens was the biggest surprise of the bunch for me. Optically it delivers very good performance for a low-cost telephoto (the 45-150 and 45-175mm are better optically, though). Yes, there's some vignetting and corner softness, but I've used this lens successfully on safari for close ups of animals and didn't find those things to be a real problem. The lens' mediocre aperture specs do hurt low light use of the m4/3 bodies, though. You'd be much better off with a fast prime in low light, but unfortunately there are none (you could use a converter with a third-party lens). Optical stabilization on lens selectable by switch. Good build quality. Recommended
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Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 Mega OIS
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- Mega OIS optical image stablization
- 17 elements in 12 groups, (1 ED element)
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 67mm filter ring
- 4.9' (1.5m) minimum focus, 1:2.2 magnification ratio
- 4.96" (126mm) long, 2.9" (73.6mm) diameter
- 18.3 ounces (520g) weight
- includes lens hood, storage case
- price US$500
- Model Number H-FS100300
Thom's Mini Review: Relatively inexpensive. Optically it delivers excellent performance for a low-cost telephoto. Yes, there's some vignetting and corner softness at the extreme, but we're talking about 600mm equivalent here. I don't know of any other bargain 600mm that performs as well. The lens' mediocre aperture specs do hurt low light use of the m4/3 bodies, though. You'd be much better off with a fast prime in low light, but unfortunately there are none (you could use a converter with a third-party lens). Focus ring is very smooth, zoom ring slightly less smooth, but still quite acceptable. Optical stabilization on lens selectable by switch. Good build quality. Note that this lens fully extended sticks out 9" (with hood) from the front of the camera. Your little camera won't look so little. Recommended
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Lumix G Fisheye 8mm f/3.5
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing
- 10 elements in 9 groups, (1 ED element)
- 180 degree diagonal coverage
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/32
- no filter ring
- 4" (.1m) minimum focus
- 2.04" (51.7mm) long, 2.39" (60.7mm) diameter
- 5.82 ounces (165g) weight
- permanently mounted petal lens hood
- comes with storage bag
- price US$610
- Model Number H-F008
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3D Lumix G 12.5mm f/12
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus with manual override
- internal focusing
- 4 elements in 3 groups (x2)
- 37° angle of view
- fixed f/12 aperture diaphragm
- no filter ring
- 1.97' (.6m) minimum focus, 1:10 magnification ratio
- .8" (20.5mm) long, 2.24" (57mm) diameter
- 1.59 ounces (45g) weight
- price US$150
- Model Number H-FT012
Note: This unique lens requires updated firmware on the G2, G3, GF3, GF2, GH2, and GX1. A software based 3D player available from Panasonic is required to view 3D images.
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Lumix G 14mm f/2.5
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- 6 elements in 5 groups (3 aspherical elements)
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 46mm filter ring
- .59" (.18m) minimum focus, 1:5 magnification ratio
- .81" (20.5mm) long, 2.19" (55.5mm) diameter
- 1.94 ounces (55g) weight
- comes with storage pouch
- price US$300
- Model Number H-H014
Thom's Mini Review: A very small modest wide lens. Optically quite good edge to edge when stopped down, a bit soft at the edge wide open. It's a lens many should probably have, as it's one of the better pancake wides. Good build quality. Recommended
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Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 ASPH
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- 7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical elements
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/16
- 46mm filter ring
- 8" (.2m) minimum focus, 1:4 magnification ratio
- 1" (25.5mm) long, 2.48" (63mm) diameter
- 3.53 ounces (100g) weight
- included lens pouch
- price US$360
- Model Number H-H020
Thom's Mini Review: A "normal" prime that's fast. Note that compared to the kit lens you're slightly over two stops faster with this lens at the same focal length. Thus, this lens really starts to shine when you're shooting in low light, as it slows you from bumping the ISO on the body too much. Optically, I wasn't particularly impressed: it's good but not great, just as the MTF charts suggest. I find the 14mm to perform slightly better. Likewise, the autofocus isn't quite as fast as I'd expect from a simple prime. Video shooters like this lens for getting that narrow DOF (Hollywood look), but I find the bokeh only good, not great. But it's a lens everyone should probably have, as it's smaller and lower priced than the 25mm f/1.4 and matches the smaller m4/3 bodies quite nicely. Good build quality. Recommended
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Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- 9 elements in 7 groups, 2 aspherical
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/16
- 46mm filter ring
- 12" (.3m) minimum focus, 1:9 magnification ratio
- 2.15" (54.5mm) long, 2.48" (63mm) diameter
- 7 ounces (200g) weight
- included lens hood, storage bag
- price US$500
- Model Number H-X025
Thom's Mini Review: Personally, I found this lens to be a little underwhelming. It's big compared to the Panasonic wide angle primes, it's expensive, and optically I found it just okay. The hood doesn't reverse on the lens, which I found surprising. It is a "fast normal" lens, though, and a lot of people want one of those. Let me suggest that you save some money here and look elsewhere. Not Recommended
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Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH Mega OIS
- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- 14 elements in 10 groups, 1 aspherical, 1 ED element
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 46mm filter ring
- .5" (.15m) minimum focus, 1:1 magnification ratio
- 2.46" (62.5mm) long, 2.48" (63mm) diameter
- 8 ounces (228g) weight
- included lens hood, storage bag
- price US$720
- Model Number H-ES045
Thom's Mini Review: An expensive, dedicated macro lens. I wanted to like this lens, but I kept finding that it didn't live up to my expectations in a couple of areas. Optically, it's excellent, exactly what you'd expect from a Leica-designed lens (and unlike the 25mm f/1.4). I had no problems with it in the optical arena, and it produces excellent macro results, too. The problem is focus. It's a slow-to-focus lens in my experience, and a temperamental one when used with continuous autofocus. Manual focus on the current crop of m4/3 bodies doesn't exactly excite me, and for macro work, getting precise manual focus is also high on the list of desired traits. Generally, I felt I was often fighting to get the focus point I desired with this lens, and that struggle increased the closer the focus point. So the question becomes one of price versus expected performance, and I think this current iteration fails. Perhaps with the GH3's faster autofocus I may change my opinion here, but for the current crop of m4/3 bodies I just felt this lens under delivered on its promise, especially considering its price. Excellent build quality. Not Recommended
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Panasonic Lens FAQ
What's the difference between Power OIS and Mega OIS?
Power OIS provides a more sophisticated system for dealing with hand shake. Otherwise the two are basically the same.
Which lenses are designed for video use?
In Panasonic literature, you'd see an "HD Video Support" stamp. At present lenses so designated include all but the 12.5mm f/12, 20mm f/1.7, 25mm f/1.4, and 45mm f/2.8.
What about the Panasonic "Conversion Lenses"?
Panasonic makes four conversion lenses, and they can be used on several of the lenses, as follows:
- Wide Conversion DMW-GWC1: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, 14mm f/2.5
- Tele Conversion DMW-GTC1: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6
- Macro Conversion DMW-GMC1: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, 14mm f/2.5
- Fisheye Conversion DMW-GFC1: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, 14mm f/2.5
What other Lens Accessories does Panasonic make?
There's a Zoom Lever for the 14-140mm (DMW-ZL1), plus Panasonic makes Protective, Polarizing, and Neutral Density filters in 37mm, 46mm, 52mm, 58mm, and 62mm sizes (also a polarizer in 67mm). Panasonic also makes three lens adapters:
- DMW-MA1 — for 4/3 lenses
- DMW-MA2M — for Leica M-mount lenses
- DMW-MA3R — for Leica R-mount lenses