Panasonic continues to beef up its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens range with a new standard zoom lens featuring 5x optical zoom (24-120mm equiv.), a fast F2.8-4.0 maximum aperture, built-in optical image stabilization, 9-blade diaphragm and Nano Surface coating to minimize flaring. The lens works with the Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer), 5-axis Dual I.S., and 5-axis Dual I.S.2 system when mounted on an applicable Panasonic LUMIX DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) camera. A linear motor allows high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF and an inner focus drive system provides near silent operation.
The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm is the first of the new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series lineup, which will add an 8-18mm (16-36mm, 35mm camera equivalent) wide zoom lens and 50-200mm (100- 400mm, 35mm camera equivalent) telephoto zoom lens.
PRESS RELEASE
PANASONIC CANADA INTRODUCES THE NEW LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60MM ZOOM LENS
New interchangeable 12-60mm (24-120mm, 35mm equivalent) lens offers high image quality standard zoom in a compact body
Mississauga, ON (January 4, 2017) – Today at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 (CES), Panasonic proudly introduced a new standard zoom digital interchangeable lens: the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (35mm camera equivalent: 24-120mm) as the first lens to be introduced from its LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series.
Covering a focusing distance from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto, this new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series achieves exceptionally high descriptiveness for both photo and video recording, and yet its size is compact. All of the lenses in this series feature a 9-blade diaphragm to give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. All lenses also take advantage of Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology to minimize ghosts and flaring. They boast a rugged, dust/splash-proof design and are even freeze-proof down to -10 degrees Celsius to withstand professional use under harsh conditions.
The new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. offers a versatile 5x zoom range of 24-120mm. It covers a variety of daily shooting situations, from dynamic landscapes to portraits, even in low-lit situations, providing a beautiful defocus effect by taking advantage of the F2.8-4.0 high-speed performance.
Comprising 14 elements in 12 groups, the lens system features four aspherical lenses and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses that effectively suppress spherical distortion or chromatic aberration to achieve stunning picture quality. The use of these lenses also enables high mobility.
In addition to the wide aperture, the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) effectively compensates for blurring, making it easy to shoot even in dim lighting. The lens works with the Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer)*1, 5-axis Dual I.S.*2, and 5-axis Dual I.S.2*3 system when mounted on an applicable Panasonic LUMIX DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) camera.
The linear motor enables the camera to comply with the sensor drive at max. 240 fps to take full advantage of cameras with high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF. It also helps to reduce wobbling. Notably, the new lens excels in video recording performance. In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the micro-step drive system in the aperture control section helps the camera to smoothly catch up to brightness changes when zooming or panning. The optical design achieves exceptional barycentric stability to minimize image shifts during zooming. The AF tracking performance in zooming is also improved thanks to high-speed frame analysis for focus control.
Offered in metallic black, the new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. stylishly matches the LUMIX G DSLM cameras.
The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series lineup will expand with additional lenses. An 8-18mm (16-36mm, 35mm camera equivalent) wide zoom lens and 50-200mm (100- 400mm, 35mm camera equivalent) telephoto zoom lens are presently under development.
*1 Complies with the LUMIX GX8.
*2 Complies with the LUMIX GX85.
*3 Complies with the LUMIX GH5 and G85.
•Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
A subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Canada Inc. provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions to meet consumer, business and industrial needs. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can visit Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.com.
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