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 priceReleased Nov 2022
Panasonic
LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S.
Leica L Mount
LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. — 70–300mm f/4.5-5.6 for Leica L, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.
$1,249
Launch priceReleased Apr 2021
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. is 1.6 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Wins
LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S.
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BLUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.25 ×)
- BLUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. has lower Min focus distance (28 cm vs 60 cm)
- AVario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)
- BLUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. has lower Weight (790 g vs 1470 g)
- AVario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
⌀88 × 170 mm
1470 g (3.24 lb / 51.85 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S.
⌀81 × 161 mm
790 g (1.74 lb / 27.87 oz)
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. is 9mm longer and 7mm wider than LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S..
Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. is 680 g heavier than LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S..
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 4 Aspherical, 2 ED
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
Reasons to choose the LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S.
- ✓
Special elements
Adds Aspherical
- ✓
Max magnification
1 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
28 cm vs 60 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
790 g vs 1470 g — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Length
161 mm vs 170 mm — lower is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Optical stabilization
Both support optical stabilization
OIS effectiveness
Both 5 stops
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.
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
LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S.
Pros
- ✓Built-in optical image stabilization
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
- ✓Native Leica L mount compatibility
Cons
- –Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
- –Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. and LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. at major authorized retailers.
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.