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 F1.4 GM
Sony E Mount
FE 50mm F1.4 GM — 50mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.
$1,799
Launch priceReleased Feb 2023
FE 50mm F1.4 GM is 5.7 years newer.
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Wins
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Wins
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
- BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
- ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has lower Weight (305 g vs 516 g)
- ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.16 ×)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this lens size diff to shareLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
⌀61 × 93 mm
305 g (0.67 lb / 10.76 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
⌀81 × 96 mm
516 g (1.14 lb / 18.20 oz)
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II is 3mm shorter and 20mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II is 211 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.
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 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II supports it
- ✓
Weight
305 g vs 516 g — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
61 mm vs 80.6 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.25 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
38 cm vs 41 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Length
93 mm vs 96 mm — lower is better
Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.4 GM
- ✓
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 FE 50mm F1.4 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 F1.4 GM
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
- –Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II and FE 50mm F1.4 GM at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.