Panasonic announced recently a new and versatile zoom lens for its L-mount system.
The Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, based on the L-Mount system for the LUMIX S Series Full-frame DSLR camera, is promising “uniform image quality from the center to edges of the image,” with a minimum focus distance of just 5.9 inches, maximum magnification of 0.49x, and weighing in at just 12.3 oz.
The new lens will be for S Series shooters a compact, lightweight standard zoom lens that will cover focal ranges from 20mm to 60mm for relatively versatile use including landscape photography.
Inside, you’ll find 11 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 3 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) elements to tackle chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and distortion. The lens also features an Ultra-High Refractive Index (UHR) element, allowing Panasonic to make the 20-60mm lens smaller without sacrificing image quality.
The new Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 boasts a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm, is dust and splash resistant, can handle temperatures as low as 14°F, and uses a fluorine-coated front element to repel water and oil.
Most standard zooms are 24-70mm, so at 20-60mm this lens is a tad wider than most like models. Additionally, the variable aperture f/3.5-5.6, common in more affordable glass, might also lead one to believe this to be similar to a kit lens. Not so fast, says Panasonic, as they promise within a press release that the new lens is “designed for professional use.”
The LUMIX S 20-60mm lens will be available at the end of July for $599.99 which is less than half the price of the next cheapest Panasonic lens.
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