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 priceReleased Jun 2017
Sony
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Sony E Mount
Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Mar 2021
FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 3.8 years newer.
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Wins
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Wins
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
TL;DR — Key differences
- 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 778 g)
- BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
- BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
- ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.17 ×)
Key specs at a glance
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 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
- ✓
Special elements
Adds Aspherical
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Weight
305 g vs 778 g — lower is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II supports it
- ✓
Diameter
61 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Length
93 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.25 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better
Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Custom function button
Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it
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
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Pros
- ✓Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
- ✓Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
- ✓Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
- ✓Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens
Cons
- –Expensive investment for a single focal length
- –Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
- –Some visible vignetting wide open
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.