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Panasonic

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II — 12–35mm f/2.8 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Jun 2017

vs

Panasonic

LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4

Leica L Mount

LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 — 50mm f/1.4 for Leica L, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Oct 2019

LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

3categories

LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II wins 3 categories·LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 wins 2 categories
  • ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has lower Weight (305 g vs 958 g)
  • BLUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BLUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has lower Length (93 mm vs 184 mm)

Key specs at a glance

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 IILUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Focal Length12-35 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountMicro Four ThirdsLeica L
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight305 g958 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size58 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 IILUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Portrait
4.5Fair
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    305 g vs 958 g — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II supports it

  • Length

    93 mm vs 184 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    61 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Custom function button

    Only LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4

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
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II and LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 at major authorized retailers.

Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4

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Full specifications

= category winner

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
12
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Min focus distance
38 cm
30 cm−8 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×+67%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Weight
305 g−653 g less
958 g
Length
93 mm−91 mm less
184 mm
Diameter
61 mm−20 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
58 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Leica L
Format coverage
Micro Four Thirds
Full Frame

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