I'm sticking with my 12-60 G because, 1) the price difference is too much, and 2) I reckon that I can improve my skill to get better out of the G. For a kit lens, the G is amazing (as is the little 12-32).
The Panasonic Leica 12-60mm gives fantastic results without looking too clinically sharp. Quite a versatile lens, with very good size. Enjoyed my time using it
A very fair comparison. I'm just an amateur hobby photographer, so I don't own any pro lenses, and am quite content with the IQ I get from consumer lenses in general. There were some early M43 lenses that were not great, but the more recent ones are perfectly satisfactory for my work. My shooting buddy is a pro, and he has pro lenses. Is there a difference? Certainly. Is the margin of difference one that I am willing to pay for for my amateur work? No. I often think that consumer lenses don't get the respect that they deserve, but no matter. I'm personally quite content with both my Panasonic and Olympus zooms and primes that I use.
For me the image quality is the most important thing, even if i am only an amateur : i prefer waiting 3/6 months to earn extra money for a lens that i will keep for 5/10 years. That said i leave the price question away and will just ak me the question if the IQ of the Panasonic is enough or not compared to the leica... For a micro 4/3 system with worse high ISO noise than FF it makes a difference. For Panasonic cameras with contrast focus detection, more light means a better autofocus too. It is only a matter of taste.
What does make the 12-60 f3.5-5.6 a very creditable choice is that it too has weather sealing! Thus pairing this with a weather sealed Panasonic G85, or even the beautifully small Olympus EM5 Mark 2 gives you a great kit for travel, and very decent image quality! The money you save, as you say, gives you the option of buying a good prime lens too! And nothing wrong with a good used example of the 12-60! The new Olympus 12-45 f4 would be perfect for me-a super lens, well made and lightweight. Again, the cost is an issue for me, not the aperture of F4. But for now, I will be happy with the 12-60-especially an excellent used example at £154.99!!
I tested the Lecia 12-60mm f2.8-4 at 16mm vs the Sig 16 f1.4 both at f4 and they are identical. I cant tell the difference! Lecia 12-60mm vs Oly 40-150mm f2.8. At 60mm at f8 and the Lecia destroys the Oly!
So i got the G9 but still have the Lumix 12-16 from when i bought the G85, wich i sold to fund my G9. Looking at the Leica 12-60. The Leica can be found for about 670EUR here in sweden on sale and the Lumix 12-60 is sold as new on sale for 170EUR wich is 4 times less then the Leica! I have no doubt that the Leica is better but the question is if its 4 times better!? I have to Think about this one. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Matti ! Your a great help. When the G95 reaches its end of production, I may consider it. Currently I see the G85 is only $695 with the lens, thus an outstanding value. I like the looks of Olympus and use both Panny and Oly gear, but there are a few things about Panasonic which stand out. That grip looks better, and the button layout - ergonomics looks great. I haven't a clue why Olympus on/off is on the left, other than style / heritage. The monitors on Panny are great, but Oly. may have better viewfinders. The menu system is no contest, with Panny being easy to get around in. -Loren
Thanks! Sure, some older models can be very attractive. My biased opinion is that Olympus is lagging behind with their viewfinders. They use that same old 2.36 M-dot panel even in the E-M1III, which is a high end model. All other manufacturers have at least 3.68 M-dot VF in their high end models. But I agree, that Oly makes some very nice (looking) cameras.
perfectly happy with my Lumix G version , it's not that far off the Leica and the Leica isn't nearly £500 better either. my Lumix G lives on my G80 most of the time unless I specifically need a different lens.
Some days I feel that I could use the more shallow depth of field of the leica and better IQ for landscapes but as I rarely do either I think I will hold onto the Lumix until theres a good offer in the Leica.
I picked up 12-35/F2.8. I hate variable aperture. Unfortunately that lens is not available as a kit (or was not at least back when I got my GH5) Variable aperture kept me from buying a Panasonic 8-18mm for a long time too. After a long time I gave up because I really needed a wide. In low light fast aperture wide (not F4!) would a a great to have.
FYI leica 12-60 f2.8-4 aperture vs. focal length: 2.8 - 12mm up to... 2.9 - 13mm 3.0 - 15mm 3.1 - 16mm 3.2 - 18mm 3.3 - 20mm 3.4 - 23mm (tested twice) 3.5 - 24mm (tested twice) 3.6 - 27mm 3.7 - 29mm 3.8 - 32mm 3.9 - 36mm 4.0 - 52mm Note double the focal length for 35mm equivalent FoV. So: 24mm = f2.8 35mm = f3.1 50mm = f3.5 and to compare here is the standard lumix 12-60: 3.5/12mm 3.6 /14 3.7/16 3.8/17 3.9/18 4.1/20 4.2/22 4.3/24 4.5/25 4.6/27 4.7/28 4.9/29 5.0/30 5.1/32 5.2/34 5.3/36 5.5/40 5.6/41 0.7 stop difference at start, 0.8 at 20mm and 24mm, 1 stop at 27mm, 1.1 stop at 29mm, 1.4 stop at 36mm, at 52-60mm, 1.6 stop. Considering mft ISO performance, i think i might have to trade in my 12-60 for the leica, because i use it all the time for travel. if the leica was 2.8 constant, i guess it would prob be twice the weight and 50% more $$
A little late and beating a dead horse, but stop differences aren't linear. It is a linear value to area size: f/4 is twice the area of f/5.6 (1 stop is a halving of the aperture area, e.g 50mm/f4/2radius²*pi = 2* 50mm/f5.6/2radius²*pi)
I have a few Leica lenses, but still have the G 12-60mm. I really like the picture quality of the 12-60mm. I have not tried the Leica 12-60mm though, so maybe I should? I will give it a go and see if it is worth the upgrade for me?
Thanks for your comment. It's worth a try, but make sure you can use for something real and not just some test shots in a store for example. When you try it for yourself then you'll see if it's worth it or not.
Thank you Matti! I have the Lumix 12-60mm which came with my G85 and it works very well for my purposes (still images and video). The slight advantages of the Leica 12-60mm would be great -- but #1 I already have the Lumix 12-60mm and #2 I can't afford it! :-) Man -- stay out and enjoy that beautiful weather!
As a casual video shooter, I can add one other thing to think about: How smooth is the zoom ring mechanism? I own the Lumix 12-60, and I'm happy with it overall except for one thing. I find that the zoom ring mechanism is a bit stiff and jerky. I often want to zoom in or out while actively shooting video, and I still haven't developed a technique where I can do it smoothly. The resulting video ends up jerky. I've never used the Leica version, but I assume that the zoom ring mechanism is smoother when you turn it. For me, video image quality is not that important. The Lumix quality is more than good enough for my purposes, as is the f/3.5-5.6 aperture range. But the zoom ring is too stiff. For that reason, I'd prefer to have the Leica.
@@mattisulanto It's possible there is something wrong with it, but it has always been like this since I bought it. My G85 came with this kit lens when I picked it up new just a few months ago. It's smooth enough when I zoom just a short distance. But while shooting video, I routinely start at the widest point - at 12 mm - and then I want to zoom all the way to 60mm (or the reverse). And it sticks constantly as I do so. I've tried to develop a technique to get a solid grip and use a steady motion the whole way, but it usually sticks, and the videos end up jerking from point to point as I try to zoom. I just assumed the more expensive Leica version would have a smoother zoom ring.
@@PlanetDoug It can be really hard to zoom smoothly on a manual zoom lens. It can help if you have some sort of lever on the zoom ring, but a power zoom is the best choice for zooming during video.
I do photo/video around 50/50 and mostly when we go out with my family. In the past I was making video using only camcorder. But always wanted to have two-in-one solution. After 2 weeks of testing, I started to hate this Lumix lenses because of zoom ring. Sent the camera back, orded it with the Leica. Since March 2019 I am a happy user of this kit.
I watch your videos regularly Matti, and think the scene and the framing at 4’00 is perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen. Did you go out of your way to achieve it? 😂 But I did enjoy the review as usual, thanks.
I am happy with my lumix 12 60 f3.5 more sharpened than lumix 25mm f1.7 and lumix 14mm f2.5 the latter very much underestimated ... for me the 12 60 is the best kit lens of all the cameras (sharper than nikon 18 140 with nikon d7200) compared side by side in jpg and raw (I did pixel to pixel tests) ... I would like you as a panasonic ambassador, to give tips on how to squeeze the maximum m4 / 3 sensors ... I mean noise and sharpness, some optimal settings for Jpg and Raw Postprocessing? ...Thank you
In this video I have some tips of how to reduce noise,. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_UdkN6pauW4.html But I'll remember that in the future and maybe I can offer more tips.
The price difference is not justified if you are an amateur or enthusiat photographer like me, the lumix 12-60mm is more than capable I got mine for just £170 brand new. and I have the lumix G 25mm F1.7 if I ever need a good shalow debt of field and that nice boket both lenses cost me less than £300. Remember the gear doesn't make us good photographer, practice & passion does.
True. As with many things, there's a law of diminishing returns. The Leica is probably a bit better, but unlikely to be twice as good. As Matti says, for the difference in price you could get the 25mm f1.7 standard lens if you want a real low light lens, and have plenty of change left over. At current prices, it looks like I could buy the Lumix 12-60, the Lumix 25mm, and either the Olympus 30mm macro or Olympus 45mm 1.8 for the price of the Leica 12-60. And which would be the better choice would depend on the user. A single lens is very portable, and more convenient, but since I have the Lumix 12-60, if I wanted specifically to shoot portraits with more bokeh, I'd probably just go for the 45mm f1. 8 rather than upgrading to the Leica. For portraits at the longer end, you can have f2 on a second-hand helios for little more than the cost of a m42 to m4/3 adapter.
Thank you for the comparison. In terms of picture quality comparison. I don't think it is a fair one since your tests focused only on low demand daytime situation. In that situation, I believe you will find it difficult to tell the difference between either of your set up and my Panasonic GM1 with a 12- 32mm kit lens. The GM1 with the kit lens will definitely win on price (so cheap secondhand now) and portability!! Better still just use your iphone or Samsung in bright daylight. Furthermore, sticking with only Panasonic lenses religiously may mean losing out on some great secondhand Olympus MFT lenses.
@@cfagil I'm not sure what you mean, but every time I make any kind of comparison, someone is going to complain, that it is wrong or not fair. There is no way to make a test or a comparison that is 100% right for everyone. In this one I just tried to make some sense between these two lenses, because I get a lot of questions if the Leica is that much better. This was specifically about these two lenses, because so many want to know. This was not about phone cameras or some other lenses. If you look at my channel you can see, that I have covered many other than Lumix/Leica lenses too.
@@mattisulanto I am sorry that if my comments came across as complaints. They are just feedbacks. I take your point regarding people's requests about how these two lenses perform. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed your presentation but it would be even more helpful if the comparison would also include other situations like portraits, indoors, or lowlight etc. For the low demand situation you presented, IMHO they are equally good but for high demand scenarios like birds in flight, perhaps they are equally challenging. With regard to the point for being a brand's ambassador, I fully appreciate the constraints you have to work under. I am a camera agnostic and would not like to get into any "my Jesus is better than yours" type debate. I enjoy shooting with my Panasonic MFT (especially my GM1) and L cameras as much as with my Olympus, Zorki, Leica, Nikon DSLRs, Rolleiflex TLRs or Hasselblad. Keep up you good work. Quite entertaining really.
Quick A-B question, if you dont mind. For image quality alone - Leica 12-60 or Lumix 12-35 F:2.8? The extra range on the Leica is nice but at a slower aperture as I'll also be getting the 35-100 2.8. Thanks
If I had the 35-100 F2.8, I would get the 12-35 F2.8, because it's smaller. I don't think the image quality between the 12-35 and 12-60 is dramatically different.
I tested both the Lumix and the Leica. The sharpness of both lenses was not a big difference, sometiimes the lumix was better and in some areas the leica was better. They both were not perfect. My Lumix 12-32mm was even sharper than both of these lenses. Finally I got a Olymmpus 12-100mm - what a sharp lens ! Much better than leica and lumix :-)
I have the Panasonic g95 came with the kit lens 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 not a bad lens at all, but would definitely love the 12-60mm f/2.8 though for low light. Thank you for this great review very educational.
Thanks for the detailed review! I have the PanoLeica version of the 12-60 and am very happy with it. However, I am bummed that in the US I could not buy the GX9 as a body-only option. It came with the Lumix 12-60 and I had to "sell" it back to B&H at an unnecessary loss.
@@mattisulanto Yes and I'm sure if I wait long enough it will be available as a body-only kit, but I was in a hurry. Thank you for your excellent videos - I recently came across them and have subscribed to stay informed. I would love to get your perspective on the new Lumix GX9!
Thank you Mattis for this review. I have a G9 with the Leica 100-400 lens and I am very happy with my birding photos and video at 400mm. I need a landscape lens next and a 12-60 looks like it fills the gap down nicely. Are there smaller focal length Leica and Lumix lenses you can recommend? Also I have an off topic question, please. Why is the word "OLD" appearing on my histogram? I cannot find an answer in my manual, online, or RU-vid.
Thanks for your comment. If you are looking for a wide angle I'd recommend the Leica 8-18mm f/2.8-4. What comes to your histogram question, right now I don't know the answer, but I see if I can find an answer for you.
Oh great! My Histogram and camera are actually NOT broken hah hah hah. I just found out why the Histogram says OLD. I had my photo style set to "Old Style". How I managed to do that I don't know. I hope this helps someone else figure it out too.
@@mattisulanto Hi Matti. Well here I am more than a year later finally getting a second lens for my G9 in addition to my Leica 100-400mm. I decided on the Leica 12-60mm, because I just could not pass up the price one on Amazon. I am so much looking forward to the greater depth of field this will give me photographing butterflies, other insects, and flowers. Also looking forward to taking pictures of subjects larger than a bug without having to stand "5 blocks away from the thing", LOL. Thanks for all your help!!!
@@mattisulanto hmm, the problem is I want to vlog with it, but because of the censor every lens I put is twice closer, so 14mm lets say is not wide enough for vlogging, and also the low light problems, I think it's too much hassle. Thanks
(Dumb question, just checking) in regards to the lumix lens, you can still achieve good Auto Focus by changing it to the auto focus setting on the actual body of the camera, correct?
I have the panasonic 12-60 3.5-5.6 and the dust/water sealing is not working well.. I can see the dust is inside the lense even I use it just a half year.
@@mattisulanto Actually every dust particle affects the images when shooting landscape with the sun in the image..The reflections are multiplicated on each particle and when shooting on high F-numbers the big depth of field makes them visible.
@@aesace If you say so. You probably have much more experience than I. I don't see dust particles in my photos, but maybe I shoot in different condition. However, with MFT you very seldom have to go beyond F8. Bigger F number than that.
Very good review. I personally have both. I got the Lumix version as a kit lens with my G85 and bought the Leica version separately for my G9. I was able to get a good deal on the Leica version, buying it at Christmas for $700 (otherwise would not have bought it). Both are great and love that they are weather sealed and work with the dual IS system of Panasonic's recent cameras. I think as you have inferred, it comes down to what you can afford. You can not go wrong with either.
It's worth to note that the leica has a lot more character. The leica has 9 apurture blades vs 7 on the lumix. The contrast and color renderition is also a lot better. Still great kit lens the lumix 12-60.
Very nice again! Very clear and even beginners would find it easy to understand. Next time: just say Lumix and Leica. Panasonic Leica is just to long and as you saw you were struggling a bit.
@@mattisulanto I can empathise. Whether it is my age or my natural dyslexia, I often get into such tongue twisting moments when I am leading training. One thing that might help is to tape some word or write on your forearms the name and consciously look at the word as you speak. By the way, it might be interesting to compare the Olympus 12-40. And in the shots, have some bokeh background
@@thewalkingvloggingman7152 Just a suggestion, he struggled with it. In these commentssections intonation etc get lost so I probably came across to you as being demanding. Wasn't meant that way at all.
I think neither one is optically parfocal, but at least the Leica version keeps the focus really well through the zoom range using the AF motor, to make it feel like parfocal. So, if you focus at 60mm and zoom out to 12mm, the picture is still in focus. I'd say the Leica is the better choice for the G9, it's in the same league in every way.
@@mattisulanto thanks. the G9+leica is 1600 USD and the body is USD1000, so the lens is essentially USD600 if i get the kit. With ebay used price for the Lumix 12-60 at 250 I'd be looking at 350 for the upgrade. still on the fence. btw, how's the breathing in video on the PL vs the Lumix? any noticeable difference?
@@evenaicantfigurethisout I'm primarily a photographer and I haven't really tested these lenses in video so much. I can't say anything about the breathing, I'm sorry.
@@dezcanso1540 In the video I say "the fastest max aperture is..." I'm talking about the max wide open (smallest number) aperture, which is F2.8-4 depending on the zoom setting. The min (highest number) stopped down aperture is F22. Please google what the F number means and you'll know what I'm talking about.
@@dezcanso1540 in case anyone comes across this: F number 2.8 means big hole for light. F/4 is smaller hole than 2.8. This hole going from big opening to small opening as you zoom the lens is what 2.8-4 means, that at 12mm, your hole will be very wide (2.8), and at 60 your hole will be a little smaller at it's biggest possible size (4). Of course, at any point, you. Can always make the hole smaller. You can do 12mm f/8 to be a tiny hole. You cannot do 12mm f/2 (the lens' biggest opening at 12mm is 2.8, which is smaller than an opening labelled by f/2). To keep size and cost down, lenses must lose their ability to keep their hole the same big size throughout the zoom range. It takes extra effort to allow a lens to be f2.8 at all zooms. Instead, to keep costs lower, they let the hole go down in size as you zoom. It's complex but the gist is that. 2.8-4 means the biggest possible opening as you go from 12-60mm. You can always make the hole smaller at any point, just not bigger than the max allowed for a given focal range.
Thanks for a great video. I have the Lumix G85 and the Lumix 12-60 kit. What would you recommend as a second lens to create a compact 2 lens kit for general photography and travel photography? Thanks.
Thanks for your comment. I would take either the 25mm f/1.7 or the 15mm f/1.7 as my second lens with the Lumix 12-60mm, because then I'd have a fast prime to compliment the zoom. But you have to remember that maybe my choice is not suitable for you and it's really hard for me to say what would be perfect for you. Having said that, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either of my choices😀
Moi Moi Matti. the difference is micro contrast and the "Leica look". I have the Lumix. Sharp, okay, need ND in daylight. the Leica just has much better micro contrast and that indescribable look of Leica glass. I got my Lumix from a guy for only $180. He got it as a kit on a g9, but invested in better glass, so he sold it to me way below retail, brand new. Its good. It's not stunning. It is sharp though you are correct. Never have to sharpen in post, just add color and contrast. Well, Kiitos for the comparison. You get the chance? Take those lenses and go to Lapland for a few days and do some shooting, and also the East side of Helsinki, down by the docks, ships, sailors, seedy Russian dance bars, and women of ill repute, and do some street shooting there. Moi Moi
Thanks. Lapland is 1000 km away from Helsinki and it's a bit too much for some test photos. There may have been some sailors' bars in Helsinki about 100 years ago, but not today any more😀
@@mattisulanto I was there 100 years ago. You mean they've "gentrified" that area? aw, too bad. It had SO much "character". Well how about Turku, then? Lapland? couple hours flight. How about YOU interview Santa Claus this year? He's in Rovaniemi, right? We all need some good cheer this year. Go get Ssnta Claus. Moi Moi.
@@mattisulanto I'll bet that if you "interview" the "real" Santa in Rovaniemi, you can sell that interview around the world for lots of Euros. Then you can buy new equipment!
@@martysender5539 I have a better idea. Why don't you fly to Lapland and also go check those areas in Helsinki that you saw 100 years ago and make a photo essay on how it all changed.
You can still get Leica R-lenses for a good price and the quality is superb! The Leica lenses for Lumix are of good quality too and you get real value for your money. If you're serious about getting Leica, you've to save money. Don't compare what you can get for your savings from other brands, just go for a M9 or M240 and a 50 and 24 or 90. Then you're on your way. Remember Henry Rolls wise words: The Quality will remain long after the price is forgotten.
Ridiculous comparison of weight. Obviously (I would have thought, but perhaps not to this guy), the lens with the larger aperture will have more glass, hence more weight.