Panasonic today announced the latest product of its joint venture with Leica, the Panasonic 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH, Leica DC Elmarit lens for mirrorless Micro Four Thirds mount cameras. With a 35mm equivalent range of 100-400mm, the lens is freeze-, dust-, and splash-proof, making it a good choice for sports and wildlife photography.
Key features:
- 50-200mm
- f/2.8-4.0 to f/22 aperture range
- Closest focus 2.46 ft.
- 67mm filter ring
- Power OIS optical image stabilization
- 21 elements in 15 groups
- 5.2 inches long, 23.1 oz
The lens features Optical Image Stabilization that works with cameras that support Dual IS. Developed by Leica for Panasonic, the lens’s 21 elements include two aspherical lenses, 2 UED lenses, 2 ED lenses and 1 UHR lens to control spherical and optical aberrations as well as flare. It features dust- and splash-proof construction and can be operated down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a good choice for rugged shooting conditions.
To further reduce ghosting and flaring, the lens surface includes Panasonic’s Nano Surface coating, which is said to reduce reflections across the light spectrum. Panasonic says the sensors drive at a maximum of 248 fps—in other words, it focuses very fast.
The Panasonic 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH, Leica DC Elmarit will be available starting in June from Adorama for . It is compatible with Pansonic’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.
