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Leica

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. — 50mm f/2 for Leica L, a popular choice in the leica lineup.

$2,595

Launch price

Released Aug 2019

vs
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

Leica

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. — 24–90mm f/2.8-4 for Leica L, a popular choice in the leica lineup.

$6,310

Launch price

Released Oct 2016

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. is 2.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Portrait

Wins

2categories

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

PortraitLandscape

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. wins 4 categories·Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. wins 1 categories
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2 vs f/4)
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Weight (740 g vs 1140 g)
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2 vs f/2.8)
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Length (102 mm vs 138 mm)
  • BVario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. has higher Max magnification (0.26 × vs 0.2 ×)

Key specs at a glance

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Focal Length50 mm24-90 mm
Max Aperturef/2f/2.8-4
MountLeica LL-Mount
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationNoYes
Weight740 g1140 g
Min Focus35 cm30 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

73 × 102 mm

740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. shown to scale

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

88 × 138 mm

1140 g (2.51 lb / 40.21 oz)

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. is 36mm shorter and 15mm narrower than Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH..

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. is 400 g lighter than Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH..

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Portrait
6.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
3.0Limited
6.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
5.0Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Weight

    740 g vs 1140 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Length

    102 mm vs 138 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    73 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 Aspherical, 2 ED

  • Optical stabilization

    Only Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 35 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.26 × vs 0.2 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. and Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. at major authorized retailers.

Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

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Full specifications

= category winner

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
90 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2+2 stops wider
f/4
Elements
12
18
Groups
10
15
Special elements
3 Aspherical
4 Aspherical, 2 ED
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Min focus distance
35 cm
30 cm−5 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×
0.26 ×+30%
Autofocus motor
Stepper motor
Stepper motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Weight
740 g−400 g less
1140 g
Length
102 mm−36 mm less
138 mm
Diameter
73 mm−15 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Lens mount
Leica L
L-Mount
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full-Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.