Panasonic has just released a new telephoto lens for L-Mount cameras: the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. This stabilized versatile lens should be a nice addition to your kit if you’re often shooting wildlife or landscape subjects. Let’s take a closer look at it!
If you’re shooting on a mirrorless camera that has a native L-Mount, the chances are that you’re patiently waiting for Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma to develop and release more L-Mount lenses. But, all three companies are going fast! Indeed, after the Panasonic LUMIX S 20-60mm F/3.5-5.6, the LUMIX S PRO 16-35mm F/4 and 70-200mm F/2.8 O.I.S, the LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F/2.8, and the LUMIX S 10-25mm F/1.7, this new Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 is the 9th L-Mount glass released by the company.
Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. Features
The Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is a relatively lightweight telephoto lens at only 1.7lbs / 790g. If you compare it to the Lumix S PRO 70-200mm F/2.8 O.I.S., it is close to two times lighter!
The lens design consists of 17 elements in 11 groups, with three ED elements and two UED Elements, which should help with chromatic aberration. The aperture diaphragm has eleven blades for smooth, round, and creamy bokeh. Finally, the front filter diameter is 77mm.
As its name suggests, the LUMIX S 70-300mm is a macro lens with a minimum focusing distance of only 0.54m and a 0.5x macro capability at 300mm.
The lens has Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) with Dual I.S. 2 for sharper telephoto images. According to Panasonic, the image stabilization can compensate up to 5.5 stops on two axes.
Another interesting thing for filmmakers is that, according to Panasonic, this 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 is perfect for “high-quality video application with suppressed focus breathing.”
The lens is dust/splash/freeze-resistant for outdoor shooting, and it even has a zoom lock so you can carry it safely in your camera bag.
Talking about the zoom range, Panasonic claims that the lens has high-precision tracking performance throughout the 70 to 300mm zoom range, with “less image shifting when zooming.”
Price and Availability
The Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. should start shipping in May 2021 for $1.249.00/€1.191.22.
What do you think about this new Panasonic L-Mount telephoto lens? Do you often carry a telephoto lens in your camera bag? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
