Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 vs 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 (vs 25mm f1.7) Lens Comparison

This video is a comparison between the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 Ver II vs 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Kit Lens For Video (GH6/GH5M2/GH5)
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I am filming this with the Panasonic GH5M2 and results will be similar on a GH5s, GH5, and GH6 (in terms of the look)
0:00 - About this video & Setup
0:46 - Field of View & Background Blur
3:13 - Autofocus Test (Face Tracking)
5:26 - Handheld Stabilization
6:20 - Vlogging Test Stabilization
7:23 - Behind Camera Stabilization
7:48 - Minimum Focus Distance
8:20 - Field of View (Zoom Range)
8:38 - Lowlight Tests
9:36 - End Results & Conclusions
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#camera #contentcreator #filmmaking @LumixUSA @PanasonicLumixVideo

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks for watching everyone. You can check out the lenses in this video using the affiliate links below. Thanks for all of the kind words! 👍 🛒B&H - bhpho.to/3BvvsO9 🛒Amazon De - amzn.to/3koqJcI 🛒Amazon AU - amzn.to/3gWElGP 🛒Amazon UK - amzn.to/3GVFqJL 🛒Amazon Canada - amzn.to/3v2zCvK

[@petreskyfilms]

Good informative video. ...Just ordered a GH5 MII with the 12-35mm 2.8 this morning. Didn't need to wait for the GH6 because it's going to be outside of my budget, and the GH5 meets my needs.

[@macbuang07]

You freakin read my mind on lens selection/comparisons. Thank you for the video!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks, Mac :)

[@stirasis7787]

Really really the best review... You just light my knowledge. Thank you so much... 🙏

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jayclas4023]

Wow great video! Just what I was looking for. At 1:55 when you switched over to the kit lens, it seems the kit lens is extremely sharp for those who need that extra sharpness. It’s not fast at F3.5 but during the day it’s perfectly usable and a great value when it has OIS for something like my Pocket 4k. I think I’m going to get the kit lens or the other more expensive 12-60 2.8!

[@ive595]

Love the content Shane, a great test. I do love the 12 - 35, it is permanently on my G9 for video work, Although the 12 - 60 is a superb kit lens. I’m going to borrow the sister lens of the 12 - 35 which is the 35 - 100 so looking forward to that. Your doing some great work mate, and very pro feeling to the videos. Thank you.

[@blackislepeastoo]

The 35-100 is also a great little lens.

[@Quizinators]

Great informative video, thank you :-)

[@neotheek]

Keep up the enthusiasm bro 💪💪💪

[@hailm03]

Thank for great video

[@GlobeHackers]

I always get new perspectives from your talks. 12-35 is a great workhorse and travel lens on the G9 or GH5. I add the Panasonic 14-140 with power O.I.S. to my bag for reach. Prime lenses, of course, for low light situations. What would be your one fast prime to take on a content gathering trip? If weight and money aren't an issue, it's the 10-25 f1.7. Using used, inexpensive Panasonic zooms is great for most applications.

[@thehappyskeptic]

If/when you get time, would love to see your thoughts on the 14-140 vs 12-35 f/2.8 vs the Panny-Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4... as these are all more roughly equivalent in price compared with the 12-60 kit, and I'm seriously trying to decide if I should sub my 14-140 travel lens for the 12-60 Leica... whether for travel photography 2mm more at the wide end and better light gathering is worth losing a 2x zoom at the long end is a hard call. Have the 12-35 already and while it's great for low light use, the range is too limiting to be a 'general purpose' lens for me.

[@belalang90]

Hi. Nice video. A question. I have Olympus EM5iii and I believe it has better AF than any Lumix camera as for now. So, does the little pulsing from the kit lens 12-60mm would be better on Olympus body? I have 12-40mm Pro but I think it is a bit heavy compared to 12-60mm. Thanks

[@PasmadongKamay]

Will you be getting a GH6 to test out these lenses? All I've seen here on YT are tests with the more expensive Leica lenses. thank you.

[@iSpike]

Thanks

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Wow! Thanks so much for the support! 💙

[@vinrm]

I love your videos Shane

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thank you 😊

[@Boorifee]

Great video! You forgot to put thre AF guide on the card :)

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Fixed! Thanks for the heads up :)

[@stirasis7787]

Thanks!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks so much!

[@conwaygritty73]

Great video. This lens is always on my Olympus Omd M1 Mkii. Definitely my favorite if I can only take one lens with me. The results are amazingly sharp and the color capture is stunning. Really nothing to say bad about the 12-35. Does exactly what you want.

[@filipmichalsaffray441]

Hey, Thanks for the comparaison love the video. I just bought the 12-35 F 2.8 the AF is much better on my GH5s vs the kit lens...and it is somehow more sharp. I think after the leaks that I will probably go with the Gh6 or wait for the new Blackmagic...I kind of like to be underdog...and for the work I do (multicam concert video )I need mostly zoom lenses so crop and MFT is a big plus in classical concert hall...I would be bankrupt with FF. I miss the sun but at least we got some snow in Switzerland and a nice vue over Alpes... Yours Fil

[@marcelpute]

very good video bro keep going

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks!

[@beritadunia2588]

nice comparison .. how about another lens or different brand

[@iSpike]

Yet another awesome video 👍🏻, I own the 12-35 II Pro & waiting for my GH5M2 🤩 to arrive. I am liking the auto focus happening in this video, looks a lot better that the GH5. Than you for confirming that I have made a good investment in the GH5M2. I am very much looking forward to seeing in the near future videos of the new GH6 - (that for now is out of my price range) that’s why I purchased the GH5M2 $2200 AUD. Cheers from a crazy Western Australian 👉🏻😎👈🏻 🇦🇺 ✌🏻 planning to produce & publish videos of my new camera setup. Stay cool on these super hot days we are having this summer 🥵☀️

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

If you are standing in the frame at all turn the sensitivity down on the AF settings to -3 and it will stay more locked on than in this video with even less pulsing. The AF worked better on these stock settings with the 12-35 it's a great lens and I hope you dig the camera :)

[@vlcheish]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy What do you use for main catch light in the indoor lighting at 9:52?

[@kyleledotnet]

thanks for this video. what setting would I need to adjust so that when the camera focuses on your face as you walk towards it the background exposure doesn't brighten up so much like that?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

You need to change the metering mode or you can set the camera up manually so the iso doesn't ramp up or down.

[@kyleledotnet]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thank you for the response. If I don't want to mess with the ISO in run and gun situations, would it be better to shoot in V Log and put a LUT over the footage later then?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Have a look into the metering options it’ll help you meter a scene in different ways and you can still keep the camera in automatic mode. Either that or you can shoot with the light behind the camera on the subject. As you move around in mixed lighting you will no doubt see the camera compensate. It hasn’t much to do with VLOG but how the metering works.

[@kyleledotnet]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thank you so much, so you're saying even if I shoot in v log and put a lut over it on auto mode or aperature mode, the lighting will change the image and I would probably have to adjust it more in post? My goal is to keep indoor / outdoor and shots filmed at different times of the day more consistent, especially since i am planning to shoot with a S5 and a G9 in the same color profiles and hope that the footage matches up...

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I can’t really explain it more simple than I did. Check out some beginners guide for setting video exposure.

[@lee541982]

Great comparison! Aside from the main topic, people complain a lot about "crappy autofocus" of panasonic machines. Watching your video with GH5's auto face recognition focus, I seriously have no idea of what they are complaining about. The focus was quick and right on spot, with all three lenses!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks for the kind words. The Panasonic autofocus came a long way over the years with firmware updates. While it works well, the new Phase Hybrid system they have is so good. You can kind of just forget about worrying about what its doing and plonk the camera down on a tripod and hit record :). Cheers!

[@williamburkholder769]

The 12-35 f/2.8 is the classic "rubber normal" zoom, roughly equivalent to the 24-70mm f/2.8 full frame lenses. Of course, depth of field at f/2.8 on the m43 lens is more like f/5.6 on a full frame lens, due to the halving of the focal length at a given field of view. But if you're not a bokeh fiend, that can be a good thing. I have been using this lens for five years, and when doing video, it is the one I use most often. I also use the 35-100mm f/2.8 for longer reach. The little 30mm f/2.8 macro gets a workout, too, as it is tack sharp and makes a good interview lens in tight spaces. The Lumix f/1.7 lenses are all pretty good to excellent. The two Leica twins (10-25mm and 25-50mm) would be the ideal pair for most videographers, since they cover 20-100mm equivalent full frame field of view, but they are EXPENSIVE.

[@EstelonAgarwaen]

I feel like the 12-40 2.8 might be a good compromise. Especially with the weather sealing. (I shoot olympus mainly, and use my gx80 as my small body with the 25mm prime.)

[@blackislepeastoo]

But then you lose the double IS.

[@dddmmm5329]

is the 12-35 mm the Lumix G Vario 12-35/2.8 II or LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm / F2.8 ?

[@StanTregubenko]

Nice review, have a same combo gh5ii with12-35mm, amazing small travel kit to use, with fast autofocus! Which is the best autofocus settings for gh5ii did you found for speed and sensitivity/if use autofocus mode (1 area + human detection)?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

One area and One Area + modes work great with the GH5II. If you are behind the camera you can move or resize it easily. If you are in front of the camera just stand over the area and you should be good to go. I found that it's the most reliable with most faster lenses where as face tracking works okay if you turn the responsiveness down so it doesn't pulse. I may do an update video to my AF guide soon.

[@StanTregubenko]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thats will be great to watch. I found that (1 area + human detection) is one of the best for autofocus so far

[@orinorio1]

Not sure if you will see this but for those watching this video as your thinking of getting the 12-35 .2.8 .. I watched this video and got it..have to say it's such a good lens. I use it on the GH5 and with the 2.6 gh5 update that made the AF better this lens proves this..the AF is quick an works.

[@victinrobu289]

¡Gracias!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thank you so much!

[@JeffBourke]

There is going to be a new wave of MFT lens reviews and views on your old lens reviews with the release of the 2 new bodies!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

100%. It's great to see a few new camera bodies hit the market. :)

[@JeffBourke]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy the Olympus even has autofocus… like real autofocus.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

@@JeffBourke It's had it for a long time. The EM1 MKII has phase detection and great IBIS, but it fell apart video-quality wise against Panasonic. It wasn't even close.

[@JeffBourke]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy interesting

[@FromAboveStudio]

Nice comparison👌 I'm wondering how does Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 compare to Olympus 12-40 f2.8

[@FromAboveStudio]

@ARC FPV Thanks for detailed explanation 🙏

[@blackislepeastoo]

I own both, if I'm using my G9 it's predominantly the 12-35, especially if I'm using it handheld, the 12-40 only gets used on a tripod as you lose the double IS.

[@photogenic2010]

Our experience shows the Oly 25 f1.2 on a Gh5 & 6 to be amazing, in fact more pleasing than Sony and Canon 50 full frame. Panasonic 25 not far behind, and 12-60 slightly less sharp than 12-35 just as you indicated, but understandable given the range. But it's really hard for me to be precise as we only pixel gazed. Thanks for your consistent work in this field.

[@mattreno3516]

Are you just using VLOG-L stock with a to 709 lut?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

From memory, it was the regular Panasonic Lut. I have a pack with four of them and I just picked the one that looked the best. :)

[@CloroxBleach-gz6cb]

please do review of behringer UV1 it's out

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I'll check into it, cheers :)

[@capitolbassfishing]

heres the thing...I try never to get into a low light situation with the m43 system. That said I like the reach of 12-60. I have both...the 12-35 feels cheap but optically performs very well. The 12-60 seemed a little more contrasty and I just prefer the look, dont know what it is...

[@castielvargastv7931]

The 12-60 is really good . It has a bitl les bokee but picture quality look pretty much the same here

[@AoyagiAichou]

It does keep the focus on your face, but the problem is still background pulsing. Gods I hope the new generation fixes this. But yeah, the pair of "G X Vario" lenses are amazing. Almost essential!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Just reduce the sensitivity settings. I had mine of default settings and it helps a lot as long as you're not moving too fast towards the camera.

[@artistjoh]

The Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 2.8's are my most used MFT lenses. That kit lens is frustratingly slow. My third most used lens is thew Laows 7.5mm f2, fourth is the Olympus 60mm macro, and fifth is the 42.5mm Noct. But the 12-35 and 35-100 are superb lenses and fast enough to be generally useful. Love those lenses for both stills and video, with excellent stabilization and focus and excellent sharpness. Sharpness is similar to the excellent Canon EF 24-70 and 70-200 full frame lenses and while the Canon IS on the 70 to 200 is excellent, the 24-70 2.8 has no stabilization making the Lumix 12-35 2.8 a much better lens than the Canon equivalent.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

There's a new firmware upgrade for the kit lens as of late last year that's worth giving a shot. It seems to be a tad better than it was but agreed, it's slow when zooming in as you lose focus.

[@artistjoh]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy I never buy cameras with a kit lens normally so do not own any of those slow zooms. However Panasonic does offer the 12-35 f2.8 as a "pro" kit with the G9 so that is how I acquired it. It is the only time I have ever found a kit lens with camera from any manufacturer that I wanted. So really, you were comparing two kit lenses here :)

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

@@artistjoh You are correct. It can come with a kit here too but it's way more expensive. I ended up buying it separately once it was on sale here :)

[@joestrahl6980]

@@artistjoh when you say "kit lens" consider that what gets offered in a kit can vary allt between different countries or places in the world!

[@blackislepeastoo]

The Laowa 7.5 is a great little lens.

[@manoftheroad55]

25 1.7 and 12/35 2.8 sharper than kit ... comparasonof bum fluff appears sharper..(theres a bit sticking out)....

[@m-faccin]

Have you tried the 12-60 f2.8/4 ?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Only a month or two ago, it was great but I still prefer the 12-35mm 2.8

[@ericcelrosu2293]

2.8 (5.6 ff) is the sweet spot in DoF bokeh. more just looks silly.

[@Michael-fw5ef]

I think the 25mm f1.7 was the best performer.

[@2Megapixels]

Man i have to buy 1 lens next week to my Gh5II and dont know what to do.. Have many options wich i like but have many doubts.. First , i have now de 12-60 3.5 and i want sell, not because i dont like, is because want more fast lens and a little more bokeh. Then, watching a lot of videos in youtube, specially yours, the lens in my list are: 12-35 f2.8 ( i like the versatility and the constant aperture and stabilitation with gh5II ) leica 15mm f1.7 ( like so much the bokeh and quality but a little zoomed for vlog ) leica 12mm f1.4 ( love so much but expensive.. ) leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 , like the kit lens but a little better ) and the 9mm leica f1.7 , thats can be good for vlog and studio but in micro 4/3 f1.7 in that ultraangular have so low D.O.F HELP ME ! haha thank you!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It sounds like you’re not even sure what you need the lens for which isn’t good. What do you plan on shooting? 😊

[@2Megapixels]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy i do reviews of phones and some vlogs, so, normally, talking head in studio, no photos or not the plan, just vídeo.