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Panasonic

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II — 35–100mm f/2.8 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$1,499

Launch price

Released Jun 2017

vs

Panasonic

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Micro Four Thirds Mount

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 — 42.5mm f/1.2 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$1,599

Launch price

Released Aug 2014

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II is 2.8 years newer.

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Wins

0categories

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

4categories

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Video & HybridSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II wins 0 categories·LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 wins 4 categories
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Weight (425 g vs 760 g)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Length (110 mm vs 156 mm)

Key specs at a glance

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 IILEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Focal Length35-100 mm42.5 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight760 g425 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 IILEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Portrait
7.5Good
7.0Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
8.5Excellent
Landscape
3.0Limited
5.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

No major spec wins compared to LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2.

Reasons to choose the LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

  • 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

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Weight

    425 g vs 760 g — lower is better

  • Length

    110 mm vs 156 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

Diameter

Both 70 mm

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm 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

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • 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 35-100mm F2.8 II and LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 at major authorized retailers.

Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

Panasonic LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

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Full specifications

= category winner

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
42.5 mm
Focal length (Max)
100 mm
42.5 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
20
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Weight
760 g
425 g−335 g less
Length
156 mm
110 mm−46 mm less
Diameter
70 mm
70 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Micro Four Thirds
Micro Four Thirds

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