More importantly the variable focal ratio allows the Leica 8-18mm to come in at a noticeably smaller size, lighter weight and slightly cheaper price too.
Heavy?How did it feel compared to the Pana 7-14?
Lens featuring Micro Four Thirds System, 14-28mm (35mm Equivalent), Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22, Four ED and Two Aspherical Elements, Multi-Coated Elements, Autofocus with MF Override, Built-In Petal-Shaped Hood, Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm. Regular Member
Re: Size and weight swung it for me
I own the 9-18 already for a long time and bought the 7-14 last year, but returned it after my tests. Certainly throughout my tests and sample images, there’s little evidence of the distortion that’s often apparent on ultra-wide lenses.Above: Leica 8-18mm geometry at 8mm left and 18mm right.Keep reading for my final verdict, or if you’d like more detail, check out my quality and sample images pages!The Leica DG 8-18mm f2.8-4 becomes the fourth ultra-wide zoom for the Micro Four Thirds system, and arguably the most compelling overall to date. Re: Panasonic 7-14mm or 8-18mm? That feels like quite a big difference to me.Rashid - did you get a chance to hold both lenses? The Leica may not be quite as sharp in the corners as the Olympus 7-14mm at wide apertures and it also lacks the constant f2.8 focal ratio, but in turn it’s smaller, lighter and cheaper. May 12, 2017 1
May 8, 2017
The Lumix 7-14mm is a tad smaller at 70mm in diameter, 83mm in length and a little lighter at 300g in weight, but in your hands and in your bag they’re both in a similar ballpark. Big? Same weight, but not quite so compact/stubby. Here’s two shots taken at the closest focusing distance and maximum aperture of the Leica 8-18mm, first at 8mm, then at 18mm. Is it wishful thinking that the 8-18 is going to improve it much given the PL 12-60 still exhibits some it also. The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. None of the three here are immune to artefacts when pointed directly at bright lights, but I should admit the front elements weren’t as clean as they could be.Staying on the subject of coloured flare artefacts, I was also keen to see if the Leica 8-18mm would suffer from the purple flare / blob issue which can plague the Lumix 7-14mm under some situations. Re: Panasonic 7-14mm or 8-18mm? May 11, 2017
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 Asph. Buy Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Assuming that's the case, then for most people the focal length range and the ability to take filters will be the deciders.For me though, I sold my Oly because I found I wasn't using it enough because of its size and weight. Panasonic 7-14mm or 8-18mm? Senior Member
is a pleasure to use, but the greatest pleasure is arguably in the outstanding sharpness, giving a real punch to images. These are non-scientific tests. I doubt it will happen so I might just save $500 buy the 7-14mm and just not aim it at something with sun in frame :/I also like the smallish lenses of m4/3 if they are highest quality. May 5, 2017
It’s clear that while the Lumix 7-14mm is the smallest, the Leica isn’t far behind; meanwhile the Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 is a giant alongside.Above: Lumix 7-14mm (left), Leica 8-18mm (middle) and Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 (right)Meanwhile the smallest of the MFT ultra-wide zooms is the Olympus ZD 9-18mm f4-5.6, at just 57mm in diameter, 50mm in length and only 155g in weight. Re: Weight: I'm confused - a mistake maybe? Review Panasonic null Re: Panasonic 7-14mm or 8-18mm? Buy Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 ASPH. (I have a 10% off code thats how Or wait for the 8-18 although my ONE main reason for waiting would be improved flare resistance, which I'm not sure is the case as I haven't seen too much shot with the sun.The IQ on the 7-14 is very good from what I've seen just that dang flare is brutal. Is it wishful thinking that the 8-18 is going to improve it much given the PL 12-60 still exhibits some it also. Due to the optical design and the sensor format, the lens is much less susceptible to vignetting with accessories and I was able to capture images at 8mm with two Lee filters slotted into the holder and no evidence of darkening in the corners.
It also out-performs the older Lumix 7-14mm f4, while mostly avoiding the purple flare issues of that model. This format is a blessing for travelers. That said, each also employs different degrees of damping.
Makes it a very versatile lens for many situations. Put it this way, I prefer the size, weight, price, coverage and filter mounting benefits of the Leica 8-18mm over the slightly wider short-end and brighter focal ratio of the Olympus 7-14mm.As always, if you do want to minimise the depth-of-field, it helps if you can focus close to your subject. The zoom ring on the Panasonic 7-14 has a bit more resistance than the 9-18, but both are very satisfying to use.
Of course if you don’t mind a reduction in resolution, you could always shoot with the 7-14mm lenses at 14mm and simply crop them to deliver a tighter field-of-view, but if we’re talking about the pure optical ranges of the lenses, I personally feel the 8-18mm (16-36mm equivalent) is more flexible, especially with this particular lens’s ability to easily work with filters. Veteran Member