Panasonic announces fast 50-200mm M4/3 lens

 Side view of the new Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. lens, shown without the supplied lens hood. (Source: Panasonic.)  

The third lens in its Leica DG Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.0 series for M4/3 cameras, the 50-200mm f/2.8-4.0 (H-ES50200) lens covers focal lengths equivalent to 100-400mm in 35mm format, making it ideal for sports and wildlife photographers.

Like the other models, the new lens is weather-sealed (dust-, splash- and freeze-proof) and its POWER O.I.S. stabilisation system lens works with Dual I.S. (Image Stabiliser) and the Dual.I.S.2 systems on Panasonic’s G-Series cameras to provide enhanced shooting stability. Its optical design contains 21 elements in 15 groups, including two UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, two aspherical lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index Lens) lens. Together they achieve high-resolution, high-contrast imaging from centre to corner while suppressing distortion and chromatic aberration.

The H-ES50200 lens is compatible with the Lumix G 240 fps sensor drive to take advantage of the high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF. The AF tracking performance in zooming is also enhanced with high-speed frame analysis for focus control. Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology minimises ghosting and flare. Lenses in this series are also ideal for high-quality video recording because the aperture control features a micro-step drive system to ensure smooth transitions when zooming in changing brightness levels. The new lens is supplied with a cylindrical lens hood and compatible with Panasonic’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.

The H-ES50200 will be available in Australia in June 2018 from photographic specialists and consumer electronics retailers at an RRP of AU $2,299. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.au or call 132 600.