Concurrent with its introduction of the Lumix G9II camera Panasonic has also released details of updates to its H-ES35100 and H-RSA100400 M4/3 lenses.


Angled view of the new Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 35-100mm f/2.8 Power O.I.S lens – H-ES35100. (Source: Panasonic.)

Physically the new Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 35-100mm f/2.8 Power O.I.S lens is identical to its predecessor which we reviewed in March 2015. The optical design is unchanged and consists of 18 elements in 13 groups, with two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses and one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) elements to address common aberrations. Some improvements have been made to the proprietary Nano Surface Coating technology to further suppress ghosting and flare in order to meet the standards required for Leica certification. Both focusing and zooming are totally internal, which means the lens retains a constant overall length of 99.9 mm. Improvements have also been made to the focusing system to provide fast, high-precision AF for videography with Dual I.S. 2. The new lens will be available in Australia from leading photographic specialists in November 2023 at an RRP of AU$1999.


Angled view of the Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH lens (H-RSA100400), shown with the tripod foot attached. (Source: Panasonic.)

The Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH lens is an update to the similarly-specified lens we reviewed in March 2016. Like the H-ES35100, this lens retains the key specifications of the 2016 model, with all major improvements being internal, the main one being teleconverter compatible. The optical design is unchanged, comprising 20 elements in 13 groups with one aspherical, two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) elements to address common aberrations.

Like its predecessor, the new lens covers focal lengths equivalent to 200mm to 800mm in 35mm format. The optional DMW-TC20 2.0x teleconverter extends the range to 400mm-1600mm, enabling full life-size macro shooting but reducing the effective aperture by two f-stops. The H-RSA100400G is priced at AU$3099 (RRP) and will be available in Australia from leading photographic specialists in November 2023.

Click here for full details of the new lenses.