Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens | Panasonic 7-14mm vs 8-18mm

[@artistjoh]

The whole point of an ultra-wide is to go wide, and the 7-14 goes way wider, so for me, the 7-14 is the best. I love my copy, bought when it was a new release back in 2009 or 2010, whichever year it was. Still going strong, and still shooting fantastic video and photos. It has winner written all over it.

[@kwchalky02]

I have the 7-14 and really like it. I think the pros for the 7-14 are the wider 7 mm (which although only 1mm, does give a significant extra over the 8mm in practice) and also the aesthetics and rubber feel. I pair it with the 14-140, so no benefit to me in having up to 18mm at the longer end. The pros for me for the 8-18 would be the weather sealing and the improvement on flair, but I've had my 7-14 for years and the lack of weather sealing has never been an issue for me and as long as you are aware of the flair problem you can avoid the issue in most situations. I use. I use the excellent PVGEAR adapter with the 7-14, which allows me to use screw on filters (I use a variable ND for video) so that aspect isn't an issue for me (although I should point out this particular adapter causes vignette at 7mm, but not from 8mm onwards). If I was starting from scratch I think I still might choose the 7-14, as I really like it and it's also cheaper. 🙂

[@k6usy]

This just confirmed my decision to get the Olympus 7-14 f2.8 pro; constant f2.8 aperture with weather sealing.

[@paulcoleman52]

From your tests it looks like the 7-14 definitely has more distortion and is way softer at the edges. The lens flair was quite a bit better in the 8 as well. Thank you for comparing these.

[@YOLOnyc]

The distortion was mostly noticeable at 7mm, as soon as he zoomed to 8mm distortion was slightly inferior but still very similar to the 8-18mm

[@garybrown9719]

So on the 8-18mm you could keep a filter on it to help with dust and moisture

[@MrFirstdance2000]

So much for landscape shots. The search continues!

[@LEXPIX]

Nice comparison. The ability to take filters makes my choice easier to the 8-18, but the wider 7mm is nice though.

[@PaulChoate-s4v]

A better real world tes would be to take pics of tight house interiors like kitchens and bathrooms. That's what I care about anyway lol.

[@harryniedecken5321]

Thanks you. Very helpful

[@redheart6995]

Have the 7 14, hard to part with it because I bought an expensive filter adapter for it and because of the 1mm trade off... Maybe I'll still get it and sell the one that I don't use often.. but still as rate as the 7mm shots gets, when you have that ultra wide it's killer

[@tbd3602]

i just got the 7-14 its pretty freaking cool... did you end up getting the 8-18 ?

[@martyptx]

I bought the 8-18mm for $799 today, your comparison was helpful, thanks.

[@VideoGizmology]

You're welcome. I love the 8-18mm. It's become one of my favorite lenses.

[@leosee7588]

martyptx at $800? Used or new? Where you buy ?

[@CarlosMenciaTT]

Leo Serravalle 799 is the cheapest i heard off. Where you bought this ?

[@CollegeLifestyle]

Everywhere I look new it’s $950-1000, where did you find this?

[@harryniedecken5321]

I am looking at these lenses for photos / videos of some items about 1-2 ft away that are rectangular, sort like a chessboard with pieces. It's tricky to understand which lens (these or perhaps the 12mm PL ) would be better, especially under mediocre light. Open to suggestions. Thanks Harry

[@wwm]

Nice comparison. Thanks a lot. Not sure why your video quality with both lenses is not so good. Something is annoying there with sharpness..

[@kadencefilms]

Thanks for making this! Made my purchase decision a lot easier.

[@VideoGizmology]

You're welcome!

[@wcsdiaries]

@@VideoGizmology How does the 8-18 compare to the tokina 11-16?

[@elvisbesmann3882]

How about the autofocus noise? Is there any noise or not? Especially in face-detection mode

[@juanalvarado7794]

Your 7-14 was dirty on the flare test. It made it look much worse than you described it. Good comparison overall

[@YOLOnyc]

The differences seem only negligible in functionality that effects real world usage. The lens flair was literally the only substantial difference, and while the 8-18mm was clearly better in the flair comparison, until you had the lens pointed directly at the sun neither lens exhibited noticeable flair. Based on your video review, if you account for price point then the 7-14mm wins hands down because there's relatively little difference between them, if money is no matter then the 8-18mm is better but only marginally.

[@rrafaelpaz]

Here in Australia the 7-14 is $200 more expensive than the 8-18

[@VoicesofHistory]

Thank you. Good information.

[@RonfordBaker]

"they weigh the same size..." Front element = bulb?! The 8-18 isn't an 'upgrade' to the Panasonic 7-14, it's a totally different lens and made by Leica.

[@MusikPiratCH]

I don't get why the 8-18 should be the "better" lens? If you want more wide angle the 8-18 is NO option at all. That 1mm makes ALL the difference! :P (Even more if you already own the 14-140mm Panasonic kit lens!) :D

[@MrFirstdance2000]

Why wasn't the Olympus 7-14 F 2.8 used as a comparison?

[@VideoGizmology]

I only review what I personally own or what I rent for a video production job and have extra time to quickly review it. Maybe I'll get it in the future.

[@rudolfabelin383]

Thanks! Very good. Still thinking......

[@wcsdiaries]

Can these be used with a speedbooster?

[@VideoGizmology]

No, not to my knowledge.

[@X99Zero]

Some vlog selfie sample footage would have been great

[@VideoGizmology]

I'll consider that next time, I just personally hate selfie vlogs. haha.

[@RonaldBrown59]

Good review, and thanks for sharing.

[@oren.kirschenbaum]

thanks for making the review, but why in 1080p? it's not possible to asses the sharpness of the lens. you have a 4k capable camera...

[@VideoGizmology]

The camera I used to film this review of the lenses is a 1080p only camera. That is why I downconverted the UHD 4K shots from the GH5 to 1080p. Thanks for the feedback. Next time I'll consider putting the test footage on a different video in full UHD 4K quality or I'll upconvert my 1080p camera to UHD 4K to match the test footage resolution.

[@NeoDon1]

This was a great video right up until the end, with a short this is better!

[@soundknight]

2:20 that design is still going to suck dust though :( Why can't they design a stronger zoom? :( Sticking with primes

[@garybrown9719]

My thoughts i might get a a ultra wide prime the $$$ 8-18mm is tempting

[@iSpike]

Great 👍🏻 I like the 8-18mm

[@daisigner]

you don't know why they started at 8 and not at 7mm? Because it would have been far more difficult and expensive to make a 7-17 lens rather than a 8-18 lens maybe? lol

[@cataclysmic911]

Thank you for the helpful video. I've got the Lumix G7 and find it hard to justify an $800 lens for a $500 camera. I'd still like to get the 8-18 but...wow. Used are still expensive.

[@MusikPiratCH]

Why do you find it hard to justify a $800 lens (for a $500 body)? The lens lasts far longer than your camera (if you stick to the system)! You might even upgrade your camera one day - then you'll have already invested into a good lens! Isn't that justified enough?

[@stevrgrs]

I can still use the awesome lenses I bought for my D100 and D2X ! The D100 is one I purchased ten years ago! I can also use my SB800 with my GH5 :)

[@psysword]

It's a 1000 dollars

[@AlfredKingTV]

Liked because of using the word "bulby".

[@VideoGizmology]

haha. thanks.

[@andersistbesser]

The 7mm is so much wider than the 8-18. i get the 7-14