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Leica

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. — 35mm f/1.4 for Leica L, a popular choice in the leica lineup.

$4,595

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

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

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. is 4.5 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.

Portrait

Wins

1categories

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

PortraitLandscape

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. wins 4 categories·Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. wins 1 categories
  • ASummilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/4)
  • ASummilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • ASummilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. has lower Weight (695 g vs 1140 g)
  • BVario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. has higher Max magnification (0.26 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • ASummilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. has lower Length (102 mm vs 138 mm)

Key specs at a glance

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Focal Length35 mm24-90 mm
Max Aperturef/1.4f/2.8-4
MountLeica LL-Mount
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationNoYes
Weight695 g1140 g
Min Focus30 cm30 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.

76 × 102 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 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)

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. is 36mm shorter and 12mm narrower than Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH..

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. is 445 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 caseSummilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Portrait
6.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
6.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
5.0Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 1140 g — lower is better

  • Length

    102 mm vs 138 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

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

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Max magnification

    0.26 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 30 cm

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.

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

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 Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. and Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. at major authorized retailers.

Leica Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
90 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4+2 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4+3 stops wider
f/4
Elements
15
18
Groups
11
15
Special elements
4 Aspherical, 2 ED
4 Aspherical, 2 ED
Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Min focus distance
30 cm
30 cm
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.26 ×+53%
Autofocus motor
Stepper motor
Stepper motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
Weight
695 g−445 g less
1140 g
Length
102 mm−36 mm less
138 mm
Diameter
76 mm−12 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
Summilux-SL 35mm f/1.4 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.