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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

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 price

Released Mar 2021

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 3.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

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

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II wins 2 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 3 categories
  • ALEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • 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 35-100mm F2.8 II has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 156 mm)

Key specs at a glance

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 IIFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length35-100 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountMicro Four ThirdsSony E
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight760 g778 g
Min Focus38 cm40 cm
Filter Size67 mm72 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 IIFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 87 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

  • Weight

    760 g vs 778 g — 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

  • Length

    108 mm vs 156 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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.

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

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 35-100mm F2.8 II and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
100 mm
50 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
10
Special elements
Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
38 cm−2 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×+47%
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
760 g−18 g less
778 g
Length
156 mm
108 mm−48 mm less
Diameter
70 mm−17 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Sony E
Format coverage
Micro Four Thirds
Full Frame

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