Micro 4/3 Pro Telephoto Zoom Battle | Panasonic vs. Olympus vs. Leica

[@MyRetroJourney]

There is no plastic on the Olympus, only the lenshood and the filter thread is made of plastic.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Thanks for the comment! It’s so hard to tell these days with some of the metals they use!

[@MyRetroJourney]

@@RhettThompsonFilm True! Great comparison by the way :)

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

MrBillMorisson thank you! If you notice anything else I missed about the Olympus or anything else please comment! I want people to have all the information possible, that’s why I did the video because literally no one was talking about some of these points.

[@deriklarsen]

@@RhettThompsonFilm You forgot to include presetting the clutch focus length to swap two focal lengths just by pulling the the manual focus clutch.

[@prielhackim]

do you own the olimpus? how is it for video?

[@emperor4677]

Wow the best lens review I've ever watched.. Congrats :)

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

High praise! I’m glad you think so hah

[@docteurgillesalewina5669]

Very comprehensive review. Thanks. Edit : you're still hearting comments 3 years later😃😃😃

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I try and get back to everyone I can! You guys are great and speaking of thanks for the kind words! I tried to pack as much as possible into this beast of a video

[@eyeballbilly]

I bought 2 X Olympus Pro 40-150 f2.8 lenses for wedding work along with 2X GH4s, specifically for cross coverage of the ceremony and they are really pleasing image, very smooth, very natural skin tones, f2.8 is much appreciated and I think that 150mm is about the right focal length range for 95% of the churches I film in. I do like the look of the Leica lenses too though especially with image stabilisation. I've since bought one GH5 but probably need another one to counter the lack of IS in the GH4s.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I find 100-150 useful for those emotional moments for sure, and then you have that 40mm if you need a 2 shot or sometimes even the whole wedding party. The Leica was always too tight at 50mm for me, and the extra reach at 200mm wasnt worth it. Dual IS 2 is pretty incredible at 200mm though.

[@prielhackim]

finally, the movie i was waiting for thank you so much man

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

priel hackim I’m happy I could help!

[@mick_d]

I have the Olympus 40-150. I love this lens because of its internal zoom. I am considering the Olympus MC-20 2x Teleconverter for wildlife videos.

[@LucasRider]

Concur on focusing on improving craft over lens obsession. Thanks for all of the effort, Rhett. Well done.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Man you really watched till the end. I appreciate it my dude! Thanks for stopping by!

[@fansofER]

Great comparison video! in reference to your question. The micro-jitters affects the 35-100 mark 2... it's a problem with the dual i.s. 2 implementation. i've used both models and the mark I does not seem to exhibit the micro jitter problem nearly as much if at all. Your evaluation of these lenses is pretty comprehensive and you cover everything i would want to know before I purchase. Excellent work!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Very interesting...is that watch causes that jumping effect when doubt an orbiting type shot as well? I’ve noticed sometimes dual is is much better, sometimes it’s about the same and every once in awhile I feel like I’m fighting it.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Excellent comparison! And how amazing that we have so many great options to choose from in the M43 universe. Personally I chose the OLY 40-150mm, which I consider to be a gem! The lumix is ​​too short. Leica has variable aperture, which I don't like. We currently still have the new OM 40-150mm f4 PRO to choose from.

[@johnbarnes3304]

Great evaluation of the lenses, I have the Panasonic 35-100 lens and have been mulling over between the other 2 for use with my G9, think I’m swayed to the Olympus 40-150 because of its versatility. Thank you.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Check out my follow up video on which lens I kept and why if you want a little extra info! But yeah the Olympus is kind of a perfect blend of the other two lenses for me, although it is also the biggest by a good bit.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5WzknqvmKuqiaM this is my follow up on which one was personally the best for me!

[@stevenw3393]

Outstanding review all around.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

This video is more or less the reason I decided to make this channel! Although I think it warrants an update…

[@clintjohnson5914]

This remains the most comprehensive lens test of this type even after all these years--and at least 5-6 views on my part. I have since picked up that 35-100 (1st gen)and the Olympus--mostly for the teleconverter compatibility. It would be interesting to see this type test again with the newer Panny AF system--and using an OM camera as well. There is one of the 50-100 2.8s for sale locally--which I've circled for a couple of months--the little angel on my right shoulder telling me I don't need to try/own EVERY MFT lens...and you know what the devil on the left is yelling.... Anyway-- belated thanks for the excellent test video!

[@philsag]

Fantastic review. Thanks for testing parfocal on each lens - often overlooked but so important for video. I have the 40-150 which is a great lens but I wish I had got the 50-200 instead as I ended up getting a GH5s which is of course not usable handheld with the Olympus. Lack of OS is the biggest complaint I have with the Olympus. A "Pro" tele lens really should have it. The 50-200's extra range, mostly parfocal, and OS is a big plus for me. I wish it had a tripod foot and didn't trombone though. That, and it's expensive. My used 40-150 is only worth half that of a new 50-200. So I'm still in a dilemma but your review had extremely useful information nonetheless.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

If you think the parfocal ability of the lens and extra reach would be worth it I would absolutely consider the Leica. I hold the build quality of it slightly higher than the Olympus even and you still have that f2.8 for light gathering on the wide end. I will say going from 40-50mm on the wide end can certainly feel restricting in certain events or types of shooting in my experience but you may never run into that issue

[@c2h2c2h210]

Got Leica 50-200, photos are quite sharp and easy to carry.

[@gcprost]

I like the fact that the Panasonic 35-100 mm does not trombone as you zoom in and out. I also have the Leica 50-200 mm. I like it very much but I’m a bit disappointed with the dual IS even on the GH5 Mk 2 while shooting video. It is hard to manage even with a Manfrotto 504 fluid head.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Mostly agree! The lack of trombone is nice but not essential for me. Ibis abs stabilization is always confusing on a tripod. I wonder if boost IS would work on a tripod on a windy day!

[@gcprost]

@@RhettThompsonFilm I haven’t tried it. I shoot live theatre, concerts, and dance shows.

[@scj1941]

Excellent review -- perhaps the best I've seen. Thank you.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

The first video I conceptualized and shot ever! Glad it turned out so well!

[@Leptospirosi]

Great review, unbiased and with side to side comparison. 👍

[@ridealongwithrandy]

The 40-150 is my all time favorite lens, next to the newer 12-100 pro. And yes, I have gone thru 3 hoods, paranoid about that hood!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think the 12-100 is pretty underrated and have a video coming out on it very soon!

[@onthemove301]

Thorough review, after owning two of the three on test I think your conclusions confirm my experience except in my experience and tests the 35-100 (mks 1 & 2) is not as sharp as the 40-150 on Olympus or Panasonic cameras.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think sharpness is a good feature to keep in mind, or an aspect of a lens to know in the back of your thoughts and then forget about, especially for video you are going to be hard pressed to see a big difference in these three. Photos, that might be a different story.

[@dzhai1532]

Thanks Rhett for this comprehensive review! Was looking for the breathing and parfocalization of the leses and you have covered everything! Btw this Leica is looking real sexy.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I wonder the same things which is why I ended up making the video! Glad it helped!

[@DarkTrapStudio]

Outstanding review !!!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I tried my best to make it THE video to watch when considering these lenses!

[@DarkTrapStudio]

@@RhettThompsonFilm100% On point

[@yvainbenoit1010]

Belle présentation merci. J'ai possédé les trois. Mais j'ai revendu le 14-150 2.8 car il était vraiment trop encombrant, et même si son image est très fine et se reconnait facilement. Son pare soleil automatique était aussi désastreux et très fragile. Donc superbe optique mais difficile à utiliser en pratique. Le 50-200 est très bon et homogène, y compris avec doubleur x1.4, mais un peu lourd. Mais pratiquement j'utilise souvent le 35-100 2.8 le plus petit, le plus léger, à longueur constante. Focale parfois un peu trop courte ou parfois un peu trop longue, mais bon rendu. J'ai aussi le 14-140 Panasonic, très léger et compact, plus polyvalent, et d'un rendu très correct sur toutes les focales même si un peu moins net. Je fais essentiellement des randonnées ou des marches longues.

[@rrafaelpaz]

I have the panasonic 14-140 mark ii. Great lens with great focal length, very tiny, sharp and cheap. I was thinking about getting the leica 50-200 but don't know if it's worth it for me as I'm more of hobbyist that sometimes does some paid job. The Pana 14-140 is a great lens!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think probably something like the cheaper 100-300 from lumix would do just as well for hobby type stuff. The 50-200 is a serious lens with a serious price tag!

[@alohamark3025]

Nervous bokeh is an interesting term. Good review, proving there are limitations to a $1499 telephoto lens and the micro 4/3 system.

[@tizio54]

Great review! ... though having the luxury of owning all three lenses (two of which were bought used) I don't have to choose. While I've considered selling one or even two of them, I keep resisting as I don't want to sell any of them because each one has unique characteristics. I generally use the 50-200 on a G9 body (for dual IS) and the other lenses on a smaller Olympus body to get the full benefit of the compact 35-100. However, if forced to choose, I think the 50-200 is the best compromise in terms of range, stabilisation, size and weight, and it's the main reason for keeping my G9 (as I've invested mostly in Olympus/OM system).

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

The 50 to 200 is one of the best lenders I’ve ever used but unfortunately starting at 100 mm it’s just a little bit too long for me some of the time. I think the range of the Olympus is the most practical and well-rounded personally but it really depends on what you’re doing obviously

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

You’ll have to get the Leica 25-50 to round out the pro lenses!

[@ubarhd1]

Comprehensive analysis video ..great 👏🏻

[@LincolnLohan77]

Thanks for the review, great work man!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Not bad for the first video I ever recorded right?

[@mikey7326]

Wow, very thorough. Well done.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think I peaked early! This wasnt my first upload but it was the first video I started for the channel and its not too bad! I couldnt believe noone had compared all three lenses before then and Im glad I did.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Excellent video ruined by that autofocus "test". Just kidding. This is one of the most thorough, best lens tests I've seen. Still don't know which lens I want, but that's not your fault

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

It took me buying two and renting the last one to make up my mind and I still sometimes second guess my choice! It’s just a case of all three being excellent and none being perfect because nothing is. Hope eventually when it comes buying time this manages to help you in one way or another! Thanks for stopping by man!

[@21upbowls]

Can’t speak for video but have owned all three, and for stills the Olympus is hands down the best

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Interesting. What camera bodies are you using?

[@EmeraldAudiovisual]

The issue is, that with the Leica having stabilisation, it will turn off your IBIS in the GH5. Panasonic IBIS will only work if either the lens has no internal IS or if the lens is a Panasonic lens.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Yup it’s all or nothing!

[@ericaceous1652]

Don't think you've quite got it right - the Leica is a Panasonic Leica, and so won't turn off the IBIS in a GH5, it'll work with the IBIS - it is still a Pana lens. But if you turn off the Leica lens stabilisation, then the body stabilisation will also turn off.

[@EdKrisiak]

It's such a great lens hood on the 40 to 150 Oly lens. Either the lens hoods is great or it breaks and you end up with ball bearing rolling around.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Truly unique design! Just wish it was as sturdy as the rest of the lens

[@dimitrimoonlight]

Amazing review! Thanks 👍

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Glad it was helpful! It took a lot of work so thanks for stopping by!

[@cmhuggins29]

Just got a gh6 and looking the 2 longer lenses for my son's soccer video /photo. Leaning towards Leica 50-200.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

For that purpose I think that’s a really good choice. If I were to buy these lenses today that’s likely the way I would go to be honest

[@BrentODell]

I used to shoot with the 40-150, and never had an issue with the lens hood. It's not like I baby my gear, either. I suspect that some people aren't twisting enough to release the hood before trying to push it out/back in, and that's breaking things. It's a fantastic lens, but since I shoot Pana/Lumix/Leica, I can't deal with the reversed zoom.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

The reversed zoom drove me crazy for sure but yea my lens hood arrived in the mail broken haha. Maybe partially how they choose to ship it but who knows

[@21upbowls]

There is a setting in camera to alter the zoom direction

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@21upbowls I don’t think so since you’re physically moving the lens

[@steventhomas231]

Very comprehensive review.👍

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I tried my best! Couldn’t believe someone hadn’t made anything close to this before.

[@steventhomas231]

@@RhettThompsonFilm yup. 3 quality lenses. Would probably go for that leica if i had the money. Love the leica Panasonic lenses, particularly the metal build.

[@trulsdirio]

You set up a great composition, nail the lighting, get everything dialled in, just to have that Lumix Guesstimation Focussing System wobble around like a cat with cerebral hypoplasia.

[@fellowcitizen]

Good work, thanks :)

[@StezzyTailsz]

What was your distance when filming the "image quality" portion from all 3 lenses?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Been a while but it was fairly close. The image quality testing was a bit lacking in this test and I really have tried to do better since

[@ew3280]

Did you not prefer the bokeh on the leica better? And the size?

[@miguelklein7566]

I want to get some lenses for my panasonic lumix gx-85. Which one of these should I get? I need it for sports photography (basketball)

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

For photography I’m pretty sure that blue mixed lenses work best on Lumix bodies so I would say probably be 35 to 100. When it comes to range and aperture I think the 35 to 100 or the Olympus would both be fine but the like a 50 to 200 I worry would be overkill for indoor sports. Maybe Friday and rent one and find out for yourself?

[@PetranInNorway]

Nice Review. Difficult to decide. I will most probably travel to Svalbard and I try to find out which will be the best lens. I also was considering to buy a telephoto lens because I do a lot off hiking and I would like to have an other perspective than a wide angle lens, besides the wild life photography (not interested so much in bird photography) I own an Olympus EM1 Markiii, so the question is will I get the best of it with the 50-200. I was shooting with the oly 12-40 f2 and then I decided to buy the 12-60 f2-4 for the longer reach, although I am very satisfied I feel that it struggles with low light. I use primes and wide angle lenses, so the 12-60 is just general photography and it’s not a problem. If I buy a lens that is so expensive then I don’t want to have any issues. Do I get the best of the 50-200 or I have to just stick with Olympus? (Sorry for my poor English)

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

It really depends on what you value honestly. If I were you, for stuff I do I get kind of obsessed with "lens sets" that match perfectly so I would go for the leica to match your 12-60 but honestly if low light is a struggle for you the Olympus and the panasonic would be better at the long end. The 50-200 excels in a few ways. It has the biggest total zoom range of 4x, it is the most telephoto of them all by 50mm, and it can get the best macro-ish photos by a little too. For me, most of the time if I am going to get a wide angle lens, I want the WIDEST lens, and if I am going to get a telephoto lens I want the most telephoto lens. That being said, olympus lenses generally work better on olypmus cameras and given the olympus can be found for much less used than the Leica 50-200 part of me feels like the extra cost wouldnt be worth it. If you want a short telephoto option and dont need to go super super far the Olympus 75mm 1.8 could be an interesting option as well, but that limits you a little bit in other ways but certainly would fix the low light issues. Anyway, I hope the video and this comment helped but you're on the right track, see if you can test out or rent these lenses before you buy them if possible!

[@raksh9]

The 35-100 was my main lens for corporate and events in daylight on my GH3 and GH4 for years, although I moved to Voigtlanders for docs and low light as I prefer their rendering. The combination of 12-35, 35-100 and a fast prime or two is the most versatile kit on the GH cameras. I just wish there were zooms with Voigtlander rendering.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

I just love the GH4 + Nokton 10.5mm f0.95 and GH5 + Nokton 25mm (or 42.5) f0.95 combo! And I saw incredible results from the new Nokton 29mm f0.80. Lumix + Nokton is all good! And the results are unique, almost a videographer's signature!!

[@raksh9]

@@TITAOSTEIN The Voigtlander Noktons are amazing, they have their own unique character and have been my secret weapons for video for almost ten years. It is surprising that they are not more widely used for video.

[@txdegoable]

Have the Olympus Pro 40-150 f2.8, its hands down the best MFT lens money can buy, end of story. Its the lens that I leave on my camera when I put it away in the bag, lens never lets me down. Rhett, when you were trying to think of who this lens is for you were kind of struggling to think uses, let me tell you. People like me who use our GH5 to shoot sports and other high speed/action stuff @ 4K60fps, and bet I shoot at f2.8 95% of the time. Most stadiums, arena's, tracks, sports venue's have terrible lighting, the Oly @ f2.8 allows you to take in every last drop of that light. Have not used the Leica lens, but did own the Pany lens you reviewed(sold it), its absolute trash, especially compared to the Oly lens, its like comparing a VW to a Porsche.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Although I agree that Olympus is a better lens, and in my opinion the best alternative among the 3, I do not consider the Lumix as a Trash. Perhaps your unit was defective. In fact, the Lumix is ​​great, and an excellent compact option. Especially for video, I find myself using the Lumix more than the Olympus, mainly because I use a GH5 and OIS and Dual IS make a good difference. But, anyway, the 3 lenses are great. And if I had to choose just one, I would choose the Olympus.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

These three lenses, despite serving similar enough roles, are very different in their design character and philosophy. The 35-100 is the least fun to use, but probably has the second best results and is the smallest by far. The olympus has amazing (not perfect) results but if its too big to take with you everywhere you might as well just take your phone with you, and the Leica gives you the longest reach and the biggest range etc etc. They all kick ass in my opinion.

[@mozinoz_digital]

Yes I agree the Olympus 40-150f2.8pro & GH5 is a killer combo add a 1.4mm teleconverter and the reach is awesome & quality at f4 is still good. Plus the Olympus is relatively cheap for its pro qualities. Great review!!

[@manoftheroad55]

Panasonic ..Mk 2 has built in faster motors ...which makes it significantly faster..BUT used on tripod as a variable focal length ..not action sport..moving subjects...it's comproble with MK2..and recommended

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think Im going to need to get my hands on a mkii...dang it.

[@xeximaxi]

olympus image quality is best here in my opinion

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Maybe...they are all so close though.

[@przybylskipawel]

Hi! Did you perform MF test with the same apeture, or with the max apeture?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Likely wide open-ish. Olympus and lumix at 2.8 and the Leica I almost always just left at f4

[@DarkTrapStudio]

I think Im gonna take the EM1 with the Lumix G X Vario line for photography and then for video with BMPCC 4K, or Ill have to buy a more expensive setup for less capable video new Panasonic body :( (GH6 or G9II) 12-35 and 35-100 2.8 POWER OIS is a dream setup for me to start photography and pretty cheap for the quality

[@leovanlierop4580]

Sorry, still keeping my 35-100 F4.0-5.6 for my GM5.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

It certainly is cheaper and im sure nearly as good optically but for the "pros" out there, whatever that means, these lenses are the go tos. Ive always wanted to get my hands on that lens though...

[@1fareast14]

@@RhettThompsonFilm Keep your expectations in check with that one. I bought it expecting an upgrade to the 45-150 kit, but was disappointed. Af motor is a bit worse, sharpness a bit better but still pretty meh. I ended up stepping up to the 50-200 oly through an adapter

[@A1Bokeh]

Man I want me some olympus glass All my glass is a bit unconventional lol nothing standard

[@derJackistweg]

Please do not mix "PAPTICS" with "builds quality". You are, die example, talking about haptic. To value build you must know what kind of materials are used. And I am NOT talking plastic vs. metal. There are thousands of different materials possible with different pros and cons and also in the regard of HOW there are combined etc. + a long-term view is impossible to value w/o a labor. Like UV resistance, quality of glue in cold or / and heat...

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Semantics IMO. Thanks for stopping by but I doubt anyone’s done as comprehensive a comparison as this. I know it’s not perfect but I did my best given the time I had these lenses.

[@garybrown9719]

Panasonic camers autofocus sucks On g9 I have the 45-200mm i average less than 30% sharp in focus images what a disappointing. result panasonic I have the panisonic 42.5mm f/1.2 nails focus all condition all the time on my em1 Going to try all my lenses on em1x good buy panasonic 45-200mn and g9

[@Visual_Ghoul]

45-200 is one of the worst lenses unfortunately. 50-200, 45-175, and 35-100 ii are much better