LENS TEST
Andy Westlake tests a small and versatile lens for full-frame L-mount users
Introduced in February this year, the Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS is an all-in-one ‘superzoom’ lens for the firm’s full-frame mirrorless L-mount cameras. It’s billed as the smallest and lightest of its type, at 93.4mm long and 413g.
In fact, it’s not much larger than the firm’s Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 kit zoom – just 6mm longer and 63g heavier. With its broad zoom range and handy close-up capability, it should be well-suited to a wide range of subjects. It costs £899.
While there’s no direct alternative for L-mount users, it’s worth comparing this lens to similar full-frame offerings from other makers. Firstly, Tamron’s 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di-III RXD provides a larger maximum aperture in a design that’s 24mm longer and 163g heavier, and costs £749. The Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR is similar in size and weight to this Tamron lens, while Canon and Sony’s 24-240mm zooms are larger and heavier still. All of these three are similarly priced to the Lumix lens. What this means is that the Panasonic 28-200mm represents a uniquely portable offering among full-frame superzoom lenses. But inevitably, this comes at the cost of zoom range and maximum aperture. So the question is, does this count as a good compromise in everyday use?
Features
Optically, the lens employs 17 elements in 13 groups, including 1 aspherical lens, 4 ED lenses, and 1 UHR lens. As always, the aim is to optimise cross-frame sharpness and minimise colour fringing due to chromatic aberrations. Panasonic says the design suppresses focus breathing, meaning that the angle of view shouldn’t change dramatically on focusing closer. This will be welcome news to videographers.
As suggested by the ‘Macro’ in the lens name, the minimum focus distance is very short, at just 14cm at the 28mm setting. This delivers an impressive 0.5x magnification. Built-in optical image stabilisation promises up to 6.5 stops of shake suppression and works in concert with the in-body stabilisation of Lumix cameras via Panasonic’s Dual IS 2 technology.
Physically, the lens boasts dust-and splash-proof construction, thanks to an array of seals around the moving parts and the mount. There’s also a fluorine coating on the front element to repel grease and raindrops. As with many of Panasonic’s other full-frame lenses, the filter thread is 67mm in diameter.
A bayonet-fitting, pet
