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Leica

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. — 35mm f/2 for Leica L, a popular choice in the leica lineup.

$2,195

Launch price

Released Jan 2017

vs

Leica

Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

1470g weather-sealed f/2.8 telephoto zoom with dual stepper AF and 0.25x close focus.

$4,195

Launch price

Released Nov 2022

Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. is 5.8 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.

Wins

2categories

Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.

Video & HybridPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. wins 4 categories·Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. wins 1 categories
  • BVario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ASummicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Weight (538 g vs 1470 g)
  • ASummicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Length (89 mm vs 170 mm)
  • ASummicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Min focus distance (35 cm vs 60 cm)
  • ASummicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Focal Length35 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2f/2.8
MountLeica LLeica L
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight538 g1470 g
Min Focus35 cm60 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.

73 × 89 mm

538 g (1.19 lb / 18.98 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 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.

88 × 170 mm

1470 g (3.24 lb / 51.85 oz)

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. is 81mm shorter and 15mm narrower than Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH..

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. is 932 g lighter than Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 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 caseSummicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical

  • Weight

    538 g vs 1470 g — lower is better

  • Length

    89 mm vs 170 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    35 cm vs 60 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    73 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 Aspherical, 2 ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × 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.

Summicron-SL 35mm 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 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. and Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. at major authorized retailers.

Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Elements
10
19
Groups
8
15
Special elements
2 Aspherical
4 Aspherical, 2 ED
Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Min focus distance
35 cm−25 cm less
60 cm
Max magnification
0.2 ×
0.25 ×+25%
Autofocus motor
Stepper motor
Dual stepper motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Weight
538 g−932 g less
1470 g
Length
89 mm−81 mm less
170 mm
Diameter
73 mm−15 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Lens mount
Leica L
Leica L
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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