Omuser.com posted a series of image samples at any focal length an aperture (Click here to read the google english translation). Image quality and build quality of the [shoplink 16261]Panasonic 100-300mm[/shoplink] are very good. The AF is quick and quiet. The only “issue” is that the lens is big and heavy. But damn that is a 200-600mm FF equivalent! And if you compare it to other lenses the Panasonic is really very small and very cheap:
The Panasonic 100-300mm lens is already in Stock in Europe at Amazon Deutschland
In US you can only preorder the lens at Amazon US
You can also buy all new Panasonic lenses on eBay:
[shoplink 17556 ebay]Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 eBay acutions[/shoplink]
[shoplink 17618 ebay]Panasonic 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 eBay acutions[/shoplink]
[shoplink 17620 ebay]Panasonic 3D 12.5mm f/12 eBay acutions[/shoplink]
11 Responses
This lens isn’t cheap – the Olympus ZD 70-300 is about a third of the price and is a stellar performer. The Zuiko a bit bulkier than the Lumix but on a small fourthirds camera it looks and feels right. I think the Lumix looks ridiculous on the GF1. You cannot compare the Lumix to any of the Sigmas, because they are all available in 43 mount which gives 1000mm and 1600mm “equivalent” focal length. That’s A LOT more reach than you might think.
I searched 3 stores in Canada. New, the ZD goes for about 2/3 of the price. Adapter non included and no OIS.
I too think that the 100-300 looks clumsy on a EP/GF body. That said, it looks perfectly fine on a G/GH, no matter how good the ZD feels on a 43 body.
Finally, the comparison with the Sigmas does makes sense, depending on the point of view. Its an extension of the logic on how UW lenses are compared with FF equivalent.
Interesting… the test pictures were all in Hong Kong.It’s been a nice week here with a few bright days so good shooting conditions.
Would like to see some geometric data, pincushion/barrel etc. How good is the OIS etc. Quality is beyond what I was expecting.
Chinese NY is not too far off.:)
In the US the ZD can be had for less than $250 if you look around. The Lumix is $600, so even with the adapter the ZD still a pretty good deal.
Comparing the FF equiv. with out looking at the effective aperture is quite unfair.
It should have a tripod collar.
Actually, m43 should make a large body available. With the faster zooms coming out in the next year, the lenses will be larger and heavier. The existing bodies do fine with the consumer lenses, but the better grade lenses require a better body. I myself would like to see a longer grip to provide greater control. They don’t need to add that much weight to a better body.
They do need to engineer a tougher body. And by all means, I prefer the G1 over the GF1. I know because I have been putting both cameras to real world use and the G1 sees a lot more action. I think it was a natural inclination for technology to move towards mirrorless camera as a natural part of photographic evolution in the digital age but that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to keep shrinking smaller and smaller. I am very displeased with the new GF2 simply because they got rid of the dial. I’ll tell you what, look at the M43 as a new format like DX and realize it’s full potential. Both Panasonic and Olympus need to start thinking about the professionals now! 🙂
I own the 100-300mm, and it looks and feels fine on the G2. It is a very good performer even at open aperture at all focal lengths.
Provato 100 300 Lumix e 70 300 Olympus con EP2 Olympus, il primo è risultato nettamente superiore per qualità ottica e messa a fuoco (e rapidità).
Purtroppo nel Lumix problemi di sfregamenti metallici interni molto rumorosi nello zumare, probabilmente obiettivo difettoso che spero mi venga sostituito
how do you dare to compare the panasonic 100-300 to the sigma 300-800mm lens.. omg you people are crazy ^^
Why? It gives similar coverage for a fraction of the price. Even on APS-C cameras, you’d have to buy a 400mm lens (not cheap) to get the 600mm full-frame equivalent that this lens provides on m4/3 cameras. Also, the cost of 600mm lens on a full-frame camera is beyond impractical for the average user.
It’s not perfect – no lens is – but it’s certainly a useful addition to the m4/3 lens lineup, and failing to see that is a little “crazy” in itself.