Panasonic Lumix G Lens 25mm F17 Asph Review

In summary

Panasonic's 25mm f/1.7 ASPH is an excellent performer that is very keenly priced. If you're looking for a fast standard prime lens for a Micro 4 Thirds format camera, information technology comes highly recommended.

Comparatively pocket-size and light for its type and nicely construction (although not weatherproof), it can be used on both Panasonic and Olympus cameras. However the lack of internal stabilisation volition restrict which Panasonic models it matches best (the GX8 is ideal since it has stabilisation built-in).

Full review

Panasonic'south recently-released Lumix G 25mm f/ane.seven ASPH is a prime lens for Micro Iv Thirds (M4/3) cameras that has a field of view equivalent to 50mm in 35mm format. This is roughly equivalent to normal human being vision, which is why this focal length has been pop for many years. It'southward non as fast every bit the Leica DG Noctiron 42.5mm f/one.2 lens, simply its a far lower cost and considerably smaller and lighter.

Side view of the Panasonic Lumix Grand 25mm f/1.vii ASPH. lens without the cease caps and lens hood. (Source: Panasonic.)

The optical blueprint comprises eight elements in seven groups and includes ii aspherical lens elements plus one UHR (Ultra High Refractive) lens. The paired aspherical elements reduce chromatic and spherical aberrations while the UHR element helps to attain fifty-fifty illumination, sharpness and clarity throughout the aperture range.

This diagram shows the positions of the exotic elements in the lens design. (Source: Panasonic.)

Autofocusing is driven by a stepping motor, which is fast, smoothen and almost silent, making this lens suitable for recording motion-picture show clips. The seven-bladed iris diaphragm is rounded and closes to produce a circular aperture for shine out-of-focus backgrounds when working with shallow depths of field.

This lens is not weatherproofed so intendance is needed when working in clammy or dusty environments. It is supplied with front and end caps plus a generous cylindrical lens hood.

Who'due south information technology For?
Most photographers like to have a 50mm equivalent lens in their kit bags becausethey can exist used for many different subject types, from architecture to landscapes and fifty-fifty portraiture (particularly group shots). While this focal length is usually covered by kit zooms, having a faster lens will provide much better depth-of-field control.

Although it's not designed for macro work, this lens will focus shut plenty to be used for taking photographs of larger flowers, minor animals and pets. Provided it's not taken into damp or dusty environments, this lens is a very portable, go-anywhere lens when yous want an undistorted view of your subjects.

Build and Ergonomics
Although mostly fabricated from polycarbonate plastic, the 25mm f/one.seven ASPH. lens is well built and nicely finished in smooth matte black. Weighing only 125 grams, it's no burden to carry and small enough to slip into a jacket pocket, even with the lens hood in identify.

Fitting the lens hood is a bit of a hassle since you take to remove the ornamentation ring to reveal the bayonet attachment for the hood. (In that location's potential to lose the decoration band if you lot remove and re-fit the hood a lot.) We advise leaving the hood in place virtually of the time and 'parking' the decoration ring somewhere condom at home. The hood can be reversed over the lens to salvage space when information technology's non in use.

The forepart element of the lens is roughly 20 mm in diameter and very slightly recessed. The filter ring stands well proud of the forepart of the lens and accepts 46 mm filters. The lens cap clips firmly into this ring and isn't easily detached accidentally. Internal focusing means the front of the lens doesn't rotate, enabling angle-disquisitional filters to be used.

The focusing ring is 21 mm wide and located but behind the bayonet mount for the lens hood. It is covered with a finely-ribbed grip band and rotates through 360 degrees. Manual focusing is 'by wire' (controlled electronically from the camera) with minimal tactile feedback.

There'southward no distance calibration and no additional controls on the lens. The simply other items are the red reference dot for attaching the lens and Panasonic's branding marks. The metal mounting plate clips securely onto the camera'due south lens mount.

Functioning
The review lens showed itself to be a stellar performer in the Imatest tests we carried out with the GX8 camera body. JPEG files from this camera came very shut to meeting expectations for its twenty-megapixel sensor at f/1.7, met expectations at f/2.2 and remained in a higher place expectations through to f/8, after which diffraction kicked in.

The highest resolution was measured at f/5, where it was almost 20% above expectations, which is excellent for JPEG files. Border and corner softening were slight throughout the aperture range and became insignificant from f/5.half dozen onwards, as shown in the graph of our test results below.

Lateral chromatic abnormality was well controlled and effectively negligible at all but the widest lens apertures. The graph beneath shows the issue of our tests with the scarlet line marking the border between 'negligible' and 'low' CA.

Nosotros found some vignetting in raw files from the GX8 at the widest aperture settings. Information technology was also present in JPEGs captured with the camera's Shading Compensation switched off. The effect was most noticeable at f/1.vii but barely visible by f/2.5. Switching on the Shading Compensation eliminates it from JPEGs; raw files are hands corrected in conversion software.

Baloney was effectively negligible in both uncorrected JPEGs and raw files. Here, too, in-photographic camera corrections make this aberration a very minor business concern.

Because of its wide maximum aperture, the quality of out-of-focus blurring is an of import criterion when assessing this lens. When backgrounds were evenly lit, bokeh was very polish and attractive. Yet, nosotros found some choppiness and slight outlining when backgrounds independent bright highlights. Examples are shown below.
The review lens was relatively flare-resistant, retaining a loftier percent of both color depth and contrast in scenes when a bright light was included within the frame. Nosotros found traces of veiling flare in outdoor shots taken with the lord's day just outside the frame. But dissimilarity and saturation were quite easy to adjust in a decent image editor.

Determination
Panasonic'southward 25mm f/one.7 ASPH is an excellent performer that is very keenly priced. If yous're looking for a fast standard prime lens for a Micro Four Thirds format camera, it comes highly recommended.

Insufficiently small and light for its type and nicely structure (although not weatherproof), it tin can be used on both Panasonic and Olympus cameras. However the lack of internal stabilisation will restrict which Panasonic models it matches best (the GX8 is platonic since it has stabilisation built-in).

Panasonic has fix the price for this lens close to the current U.s.a. MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail cost), and so you lot are better off buying this lens locally. Shop at a specialist retailer who tin can provide hands-on feel, advice and follow-up support for your purchase.

SPECS

Picture angle: 47 degrees
Minimum aperture: f/22
Lens construction: 8 elements in 7 groups (including two aspherical lens elements plus 1 UHR lens)
Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds
Diaphragm Blades: 7 (circular discontinuity)
Focus drive: Internal stepping motor
Stabilisation: No
Minimum focus: 25 cm
Maximum magnification: Approx. 0.14x / 0.28x (35mm camera equivalent)
Filter size: 46 mm
Dimensions (Bore 10 L): 60.8 x 52 mm
Weight: 125 grams
Standard Accessories: Lens cap, lens hood, lens rear cap, Ornament band