PricepectAI-Verified Comparisons

Comparisons About

⌘K

Pricepect

Independent product comparisons to help you buy smarter.

Browse

Categories
Comparisons
Spec Comparisons
Head-to-Head
Search

Info

About
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Top Categories

Electronics
Home & Kitchen
Sports & Outdoors
Automotive

✓ Independent & Unbiased✓ AI-Verified Data✓ Expert-Reviewed

Pricepect participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. © 2026 Pricepect. All rights reserved.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 12-60mm — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Camera LensesPanasonic Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 12-60mm

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 12-60mm — image 1

Panasonic

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 12-60mm

Expert Review Analysis

The Panasonic LUMIX Professional Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 POWER O.I.S. is a premium Micro Four Thirds zoom lens offering a versatile 24-120mm full‑frame equivalent range with Leica optics, fast 240 fps linear motor AF, and robust weather‑sealed construction. It balances sharp center performance, effective image stabilization, and a solid build, making it a go‑to lens for hybrid shooters who need a single, do‑it‑all solution.

✓ Best for: Hybrid Micro Four Thirds shooters who need a single, weather‑sealed do‑it‑all lens for landscapes, street/portrait work, and travel video; especially Panasonic LUMIX G users with Dual I.S. bodies seeking Leica‑grade optics without swapping lenses.✗ Not ideal for: Photographers prioritizing ultra‑light weight, constant f/2.8 aperture, or absolute edge sharpness across the entire frame; also those on a tight budget who can accept the performance of the cheaper kit 12‑60mm f/3.5‑5.6.

Pros

✓Leica optics with 14 elements (including 4 aspherical and 2 ED) deliver excellent center sharpness even wide open across the zoom range.
✓POWER O.I.S. combined with Dual I.S. 2.0 provides effective handheld stabilization for low‑light stills and smooth video capture.

Price History

Current

$847.99

Average

$899.20

Lowest

$747.99

Highest

$1,159.95

Good Deal — 6% below average

Price trend (90d):-15.2%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#717Best#17Worst#1,377 -169

Lower = better sales rank

Specifications

Accessories

Hood IncludedPetal hood included

Camera

Focal Length12-60mm

35mm Equivalent Focal Length24-120mm

Maximum Aperturef/2.8-4.0

Minimum Aperturef/22

Angle of View (Diagonal)84°-20°

Design

Diameter68.4mm mm

Length86mm mm

Weight320g g

Filter Thread62mm mm

Lens Construction14 elements in 12 groups

Features

Image StabilizationPOWER O.I.S., Dual I.S. 2.0 compatible

Autofocus240 fps linear motor

MountMicro Four Thirds

CoatingNano Surface Coating

Weather SealingSplash/Dust/Freezeproof

General

BrandPanasonic

ManufacturerPanasonic

ModelH-ES12060

Release Date2017-02-26

WarrantyNo Warranty

Optics

Nano Surface CoatingMinimizes ghosting and flare

Stabilization

POWER O.I.S.Dual I.S. 2.0 compatible for enhanced shake reduction

Autofocus

Linear Motor Speed240 fps for fast focus tracking

Aperture

Aperture Blades9 circular blades for smooth bokeh

Build

Weather SealingSplash, dust, and freezeproof protection

Dimensions & Weight

Height7.24 inches

Width4.49 inches

Depth4.49 inches

Weight1.3 pounds

Research Sources

bluewaterphotostore.com

shop.panasonic.com

mirrorlessons.com

opticallimits.com

blog.mingthein.com

cardinalcamera.com

Similar Products

MEKE 25mm T2.2 Large Aperture Manual Focus Low Distortion 4K Mini Cine Lens for Micro Four Thirds Mount Compatible with Olympus Panasonic Lumix Cameras and BMPCC 4K Zcam E2

MEKE 25mm T2.2 Large Aperture Manual Focus Low Distortion 4K Mini Cine Lens for Micro Four Thirds Mount Compatible with Olympus Panasonic Lumix Cameras and BMPCC 4K Zcam E2

MEKE

X4 CPL 60mm Circular Polarizer Filter - Schott B270 - MRC16 - Nano Coating - Weather Sealed - 25 Year Support by Breakthrough Photography

X4 CPL 60mm Circular Polarizer Filter - Schott B270 - MRC16 - Nano Coating - Weather Sealed - 25 Year Support by Breakthrough Photography

Breakthrough Photography

7artisans 85mm 50mm 35mm T2.0 Ci...

SIRUI Night Walker S35 Manual Focus Cine Lens Set, 24mm, 35mm, 55mm, T1.2 Large Aperture M4/3 Mount Lens for BMPCC4K, GH5II, GH5S, GH6, Z Cam (MS-3SMB, Black)

SIRUI Night Walker S35 Manual Focus Cine Lens Set, 24mm, 35mm, 55mm, T1.2 Large Aperture M4/3 Mount Lens for BMPCC4K, GH5II, GH5S, GH6, Z Cam (MS-3SMB, Black)

Sirui

SIRUI Night Walker T1.2 Cine Len...

Meike 35mm F2.0 Full Frame Wide Angle AF STM Lens Auto Focus Fixed Prime Portrait Lenses for Panasonic Lumix Sigma Leica L Mirrorless Camera S1 S1R S1H S5 FP

Meike 35mm F2.0 Full Frame Wide Angle AF STM Lens Auto Focus Fixed Prime Portrait Lenses for Panasonic Lumix Sigma Leica L Mirrorless Camera S1 S1R S1H S5 FP

MEKE

Meike 85mm F1.8 Pro Auto Focus Medium Telephoto STM Stepping Motor Full Frame High Resolution 8K Portrait Lens Compatible with Nikon Z Mount Cameras Z50 Z50II Z5 Z6 Z7 Z6II Z7II Z6III Z9 Z30 Z8

Meike 85mm F1.8 Pro Auto Focus Medium Telephoto STM Stepping Motor Full Frame High Resolution 8K Portrait Lens Compatible with Nikon Z Mount Cameras Z50 Z50II Z5 Z6 Z7 Z6II Z7II Z6III Z9 Z30 Z8

Meike

OM SYSTEM Olympus OM-3 Silver Micro Four Thirds System Camera M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO kit Travel Camera Weather Sealed Design 5-Axis Image Stabilization

OM SYSTEM Olympus OM-3 Silver Micro Four Thirds System Camera M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO kit Travel Camera Weather Sealed Design 5-Axis Image Stabilization

OM SYSTEM

Panasonic LUMIX ZS99 Point and S...

Thypoch Simera-C 50mm T1.5 Large...

SIRUI Astra 50mm 1.33X Auto Focu...

User Reviews

Please sign in to leave a review

Sort by:

No reviews yet. Be the first to review!

4.2

(145 reviews)

$847.99$1,049.9919% off

Track Price on BigBangPrice

Get notified when the price drops. Track this product on BigBangPrice, our price tracking partner.

H-ES12060Black No Warranty

✓Fast 240 fps linear motor enables quick, quiet autofocus tracking suitable for both still photography and video work.

✓Weather‑sealed metal construction (splash, dust, freezeproof) ensures durability in harsh outdoor conditions.

✓Versatile 5× zoom (24‑120mm full‑frame equivalent) covers landscapes, portraits, and everyday shooting scenarios.

Cons

✗Edge sharpness drops noticeably at the 60mm telephoto end, especially when shooting wide open, leading to softer corners.
✗Significant vignetting appears at 12mm f/2.8, requiring stopping down to f/5.6 for even illumination in high‑contrast scenes.
✗The lens weighs 320 g and is bulkier than kit alternatives, reducing portability for travel‑focused photographers.
✗Diffraction becomes apparent beyond f/11, limiting usable aperture range for maximum resolution output.
✗Border quality at the widest 12mm focal length is only good to very good, even after distortion correction.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Professional reviewers highlight the lens’s excellent center sharpness across the zoom range, comparable to prime lenses.
✓Reviewers praise the effective flaw control: minimal distortion, low chromatic aberration, and limited vignetting beyond the wide end.
✓The fast, quiet AF motor and POWER O.I.S. are noted as ideal for video work and handheld shooting.
✓Robust weather‑sealed build is commended for outdoor professional use.

Criticized by Experts

✗Experts note that corner sharpness at 12mm is limited to good/very good even after correction.
✗Slight softness and edge performance issues are observed at the 60mm telephoto end.
✗Heavy vignetting at the widest aperture (f/2.8) requires stopping down for demanding scenes.
✗Diffraction becomes a concern past f/11, reducing ultimate resolution.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Everyday users appreciate the lens’s ability to produce sharp landscape and portrait images in a single package.
✓Users find the built‑in O.I.S. reliable for low‑light handheld shots, reducing the need for a tripod.
✓The weather‑sealed design is valued by travelers and hikers for its durability in adverse conditions.
✓The flexible framing from wide‑angle to mid‑telephoto is praised for versatility in daily shooting.

Users Complain About

✗Customers report softness at the edges of the frame when shooting at 60mm, especially at wide apertures.
✗The 320 g weight is considered heavy for everyday carry compared to lighter kit lenses.
✗Wide‑end vignetting at f/2.8 is noticeable in high‑contrast scenes, requiring exposure adjustments.
✗Some users find the lens’s price premium over kit options less justified given the modest edge performance.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the lens for its balanced performance, noting tack‑sharp center resolution, strong flaw control, fast and quiet autofocus, and robust weather‑sealed construction. While they acknowledge good overall image quality, they point out that corner performance at the wide end and edge sharpness at the tele end are not as strong as constant‑aperture pro rivals, and diffraction limits become evident beyond f/11.

What Users Say

Everyday users love the lens’s versatility, sharpness for landscapes and portraits, reliable image stabilization, and weather‑proof build, making it a trusted companion for travel and outdoor shooting. Common complaints revolve around edge softness at 60mm, noticeable vignetting at the widest aperture, and the relatively heavy weight compared to kit lenses.

Common Complaints

Edge softness at 60mm, heavy vignetting at 12mm f/2.8, overall weight of 320 g, and diffraction limiting resolution beyond f/11 are the most frequently reported issues.

What People Are Saying

“Delivers a very good job... resolution perfectly fine (tack sharp) in the image center,”
Optical Limits

“high levels of sharpness even wide open... very even across the frame”
Ming Thein

“flexible framing from breathtaking landscapes to mid‑telephoto portraits.”
User feedback

How It Compares

vs. Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6

Advantages

✓Panasonic Leica lens delivers a brighter f/2.8‑4 aperture versus the kit lens's f/3.5‑5.6, providing better low‑light performance.

Disadvantages

✗The Leica lens is heavier (320 g vs 210 g) and more expensive, making the kit option more portable and budget‑friendly.

Choose the Leica version for superior optics and weather sealing; choose the kit lens for lightweight travel and lower cost.

vs. Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 IS Pro

Advantages

✓Panasonic lens is lighter (320 g vs 561 g) and offers a faster wide‑end aperture (f/2.8) compared to Olympus's constant f/4.

Disadvantages

✗Olympus provides a longer 24‑200mm equivalent reach and generally higher corner sharpness, which the Panasonic lens lacks.

Select Panasonic for a more compact, faster‑wide option; select Olympus when maximum reach and ultimate edge performance are required.

vs. Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

Advantages

✓Panasonic offers a longer telephoto reach (up to 120mm equiv.) while maintaining a comparable weight to the Olympus 12‑40mm f/2.8.

Disadvantages

✗Olympus delivers a constant f/2.8 aperture across its range, providing more consistent exposure and depth‑of‑field control.

Opt for Panasonic when you need extra tele reach in a single lens; opt for Olympus if a constant bright aperture is the priority.

Rating Trend

Rating4.2/ 5Reviews145+28 reviews -0.50