In summary
This lens makes a good companion to the Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, which covers the wide/normal zoom range and is currently bundled with Panasonic’s smaller G-series cameras. We reviewed that lens in January 2014 with the GM1 camera. The 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 lens is being bundled with the GF7, GM5 and G6 cameras in their twin-lens kits.
Together these two zoom lenses will cover most snapshooters’ shooting needs and take up minimal space in the owner’s camera bag. Neither lens is of professional standard and both are relatively slow, compared with pro-quality lenses. Nevertheless, both will be capable of delivering decent-looking images, as we have found in our Imatest tests.
Full review
The Lumix G VARIO 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens is the second medium telephoto zoom lens Panasonic has produced for its M4/3 cameras. It provides a smaller, lighter and significantly cheaper alternative to the Lumix G X VARIO 35-100mm f/2.8 POWER O.I.S. lens, which we reviewed in April 2013. The new lens covers focal lengths equivalent to 70-200 mm on a 35mm camera. It is offered in silver or black.
The black version of the Lumix G VARIO 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens. (Source: Panasonic.)
The silver version of the Lumix G VARIO 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens. (Source: Panasonic.)
The optical design of this lens contains 12 elements in nine groups, including one aspherical and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, the exotic components (shown in the diagram below). The ED elements control chromatic aberration, while the aspherical element maintains high performance while keeping the lens relatively small and light. Multi-coatings on lens elements suppress ghosting and flare and optimise contrast and colour reproduction.
The diagram above shows the optical design of the Lumix G VARIO 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens and the positions of the exotic elements. (Source: Panasonic.)
Autofocusing is driven by a stepping motor, which supports smooth, near-silent operation, making this lens suitable for both still photography and movie recording. The internal focusing design enables the AF drive to support a 240 fps signal transfer rate for fast, responsive operation.
Panasonic’s built-in Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) technology employs gyro sensors to detect and suppress blurring caused by camera shake.
Who’s it for?
This lens makes a good companion to the Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, which covers the wide/normal zoom range and is currently bundled with Panasonic’s smaller G-series cameras. We reviewed that lens in January 2014 with the GM1 camera. The 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 lens is being bundled with the GF7, GM5 and G6 cameras in their twin-lens kits.
Together these two zoom lenses will cover most snapshooters’ shooting needs and take up minimal space in the owner’s camera bag. Neither lens is of professional standard and both are relatively slow, compared with pro-quality lenses. Nevertheless, both will be capable of delivering decent-looking images, as we have found in our Imatest tests.
Build and Ergonomics
Like several recent lenses for mirrorless compact cameras, the 35-100mm f/4.0-5.6 lens features a retractable design. A short twist of the zoom ring clicks it out of its stored position and extends the inner barrel of lens to its operating configuration, adding roughly 15 mm to its overall length. (If you forget to do this a message pops up on the camera’s monitor to remind you.)
One press release we received stated this lens ‘features an all-metal construction’, while another referred to a ‘compact metallic profile’. Close examination showed neither to be true; the barrel is constructed mainly from high quality plastic with a low-glossy finish, although the bayonet mount is metal ““ and quite solid.
The focusing ring is about 11 mm wide and located at the front of the outer barrel. It carries a raised, five millimetre wide grip band of thinly-ridged hard plastic. Focusing is driven from the camera body and fully internal, which means the 46mm filter thread does not rotate, allowing trouble-free use of graduated and polarising filters. The minimum focusing distance of 91 cm is adequate for the occasional close-up shot but not for serious macro photography.
Both manual focusing and stabilisation are engaged via the camera’s menu system and users can take advantage of all the focusing aids the camera offers. Panasonic makes no numerical claims for the efficacy of the stabilisation system in this lens but we estimate it would be good for between two and three f-stops of shake correction.
Immediately behind the focusing ring is the zoom ring, which is roughly 20 mm wide with a 15mm wide grip band of thinly-ridged hard plastic at its leading edge. Engraved on the unridged trailing edge are focal length settings for 35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 100mm, along with an index mark for ‘parking’ the lens in its retracted position.
The maximum aperture reduces as the lens is zoomed in, changing from f/4 at 35mm to f/4.9 at 50mm, f/5.5 at 70mm and, finally, f/5.6 at 100mm. Zooming from the 35mm to the 100mm position adds a further 10 mm to the overall length of the lens. Adding the supplied lens hood extends this roughly 20 mm more, to just over 100 mm in total.
We found the lens hood tricky to fit, largely because it tended to slip off-skew because the bayonet mounting had no way to prevent this. The hood can be reversed over the lens barrel for transport and storage, although we experienced the same fitting difficulties in the reversed position as with the hood petals facing forwards.
Filters can be fitted when the lens hood is being used, although the hood lacks a slot that allows polarisers to be rotated without removing it. Thick filters may make it even more difficult (if not impossible) to attach the hood. No documentation was provided with the lens we received but it seems the only items packed in the box are the lens, end caps, hood and a warranty card.
Performance
Our Imatest tests showed the review lens to be a respectable performer, with centre resolution matching ““ and exceeding ““ resolution expectations for the 16-megapixel sensors of both the cameras we used for our tests: the Panasonic DMC-GH4 and the Olympus OM-D E-M1. Slightly higher resolutions were achieved with the E-M1 so we have based our test reports on images from that camera.
However, edge and corner softening reduced resolution to well below expectations in these areas, even when the centre of the test frame was sharp. Resolution peaked between one and three f-stops down from the maximum aperture for most focal length setting, although the maximum aperture delivered the highest resolution with the 100mm focal length, as shown in the graph of our Imatest results below.
Lateral chromatic aberration remained mainly within the negligible band, extending into the low band with the 35mm focal length at f/9 and smaller apertures. The f/22 setting also registered in the low band with the 50mm focal length, as shown in the graph of our test results below.
We found no evidence of coloured fringing in test shots taken with any focal length setting. Vignetting (corner darkening) was also well controlled and just visible at the widest aperture settings at all focal lengths. However, stopping down a couple of f-stops eliminated the problem.
Rectilinear distortion was also barely visible, with very slight barrel distortion at 35mm and almost undetectable pincushion distortion at 100mm. Since most cameras correct vignetting and distortion automatically, our assessments were made on uncorrected raw files.
Such low levels of distortion and vignetting should seldom require correction and would be easily handled by in-camera adjustments. Raw files would be easily corrected in most conversion software and the results of distortion correction should be excellent since the patterns are uniform across image frames at all focal lengths we tested.
We found it quite easy to force the review lens to flare by pointing the camera towards a bright light source. Even with the hood in place, light shining into the lens can produce veiling and loss of contrast. However, when the light source was outside the frame, contrast and colour rendition were usually good.
Autofocusing was reasonably fast in bright conditions but slowed in low light levels, particularly with low-contrast subjects. The Mega O.I.S. stabiliser enabled us to use a shutter speed of 1/20 second with the 100mm focal length at f/5.6 delivering roughly half of the shots taken with acceptable sharpness.
The minimum focusing distance of 91 cm makes this lens largely unsuitable for shooting close-ups with shorter focal lengths. However, the 100mm focal length can be used to photograph larger flowers, although care is required to avoid distracting elements in the backgrounds.
When there was a good distance (more than a metre) between the subject and the background, shots could be taken with acceptable bokeh at f/5.6 with the 100mm setting. With closer backgrounds, it was more difficult to avoid choppiness and outlining.
Conclusion
Decent ““ though not exceptional ““ imaging performance, a compact, retractable design and an affordable price tag make this lens worth considering, particularly if it fills a gap in your existing lens portfolio. Buyers looking for the 35-100mm zoom range for M4/3 cameras will find their choices are limited to the f/4-5.6 zoom and the significantly more expensive but faster f/2.8 zoom, both Panasonic-branded.
Panasonic and Olympus each make two versions of their 40-150mm lenses, which have a longer reach. The slower, smaller and lighter f/4-5.6 lenses are priced at around AU$350 (RRP), which the fast f/2.8 ‘pro’ lenses are listed at around AU$1700.
As mentioned, snapshooters with one of Panasonic’s smaller G-series cameras could find their needs met by this lens plus the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. The same would apply to travellers who want a lightweight kit, although we have some reservations about the ease of fitting the lens hood when you’re in a hurry.
On the whole, although not technically exciting, this lens is worth considering if your budget is tight or if you’re looking for light and compact gear. You can probably save up to $50 on its price if you shop around, although you’re unlikely to profit by buying from an off-shore re-seller.
SPECS
Picture angle: 34 degrees to 12 degrees
Minimum aperture: f/22
Lens construction: 12 elements in 9 groups (including 1 aspherical lens element and 2 ED elements)
Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds
Diaphragm Blades: 7 (circular aperture)
Focus drive: Stepping motor
Stabilisation: MEGA O.I.S.
Minimum focus: 91 cm
Maximum magnification: 0.11 – 0.22x
Filter size: 46 mm
Dimensions (Diameter x L): 55.5 x 50 mm
Weight: 135 grams
Standard Accessories: Front and rear caps, lens hood
TESTS
Based on JPEG file taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera.
SAMPLES
Vignetting at 35mm focal length, f/4.0. (Taken from an uncorrected ORF.RAW file.)
Vignetting at 100mm focal length, f/5.6. (Taken from an uncorrected ORF.RAW file.)
Rectilinear distortion at 35mm focal length. (Taken from an uncorrected ORF.RAW file.)
Rectilinear distortion at 100mm focal length. (Taken from an uncorrected ORF.RAW file.)
35mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/125 second at f/11.
100mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/160 second at f/11.
Close-up at 100mm focal length, ISO 400, 1/100 second at f/5.6.
Close-up at 100mm focal length, ISO 400, 1/200 second at f/5.6.
Veiling flare in contre-jour shot taken with the 35mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/1250 second at f/8.
Veiling flare in contre-jour shot taken with the 100mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/640 second at f/8.
Stabilisation test; 100mm focal length, ISO 800, 1/20 second at f/5.6.
100mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/50 second at f/11.
100mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/250 second at f/11.
100mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/125 second at f/10.
35mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/1600 second at f/7.1.
100mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/500 second at f/8.
82mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/250 second at f/9.
90mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/500 second at f/8.
100mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/250 second at f/10.
Rating
RRP: AU$499; US $397.99
- Build: 8.5
- Handling: 8.3
- Image quality: 8.8
- Versatility: 8.5