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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

vs

Tamron

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony E Mount

An incredibly popular third-party zoom updated with vastly improved sharpness and autofocus.

$899

Launch price

Released Aug 2021

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 6.9 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

2categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 wins 3 categories·28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 2 categories
  • ALEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ALEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ALEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 38 cm)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.25 ×)

Key specs at a glance

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.228-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length42.5 mm28-75 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountMicro Four ThirdsSony E
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight425 g540 g
Min Focus38 cm18 cm
Filter Size67 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.228-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Portrait
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
8.5Excellent
4.0Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
4.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • 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

  • Optical stabilization

    Only LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 supports it

  • Control ring

    Only LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 supports it

  • Weight

    425 g vs 540 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 76 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 LD, 2 GM

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Pros

  • Superb value for money compared to first-party options
  • Excellent sharpness throughout the range, even at f/2.8
  • Very lightweight and compact (only 540g)
  • Fast VXD linear motor focus drive
  • Customizable lens functions via Tamron Lens Utility software

Cons

  • Starts at 28mm instead of the wider 24mm standard
  • Slightly weaker corner sharpness at 75mm wide open
  • Weather sealing is basic compared to Sony GM lenses

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 and 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 at major authorized retailers.

Panasonic LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

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Full specifications

= category winner

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal length (Min)
42.5 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
42.5 mm
75 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
14
17
Groups
11
15
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
2 LD, 2 GM
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Min focus distance
38 cm
18 cm−20 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.37 ×+48%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
VXD Linear Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Weight
425 g−115 g less
540 g
Length
110 mm−8 mm less
118 mm
Diameter
70 mm−6 mm less
76 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
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.