Panasonic Announces the LUMIX S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S.
Panasonic has announced its new full-frame LUMIX S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. lens. This is a reasonably compact and lightweight long telephoto zoom that sacrifices speed for portability and reach.
Key features
- Full-Frame | f/5 to f/40 Aperture
- Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Autofocus | 2.6 to 4.9′ Close Focus
- Dual I.S. with 7 Stops of Stabilization
- 11-Blade Iris | Beautiful Circular Bokeh
- Dust, Splash & Freeze-Resistant Housing
- Compact 7.7″-Long Design
- 82mm Front Filter Thread
This is arguably Pansonic’s answer to the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS and Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM.
The lens is 7.7″ / 19.58cm long, and it weighs in at 2.8 lb / 1.3 kg. As a comparison, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is 8″ / 20.5cm long, and it weighs 3.1 lb / 1.39kg. The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is 8.14″ / 20.7cm long, and it weighs 3 lb / 1.36kg.
The LUMIX S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. looks to be a decent solution for event and documentary shoots if you need the extra reach and are ok with the slower aperture speeds. Sure, everyone would love a 100-500mm with a constant F2.8 or F4 aperture, but a lens with those specifications would be huge, heavy, and exorbitantly expensive.
Key features
- Full-Frame | f/5 to f/40 Aperture
- Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Autofocus | 2.6 to 4.9′ Close Focus
- Dual I.S. with 7 Stops of Stabilization
- 11-Blade Iris | Beautiful Circular Bokeh
- Dust, Splash & Freeze-Resistant Housing
- Compact 7.7″-Long Design
- 82mm Front Filter Thread
The lens features dual I.S. with up to 7 stops of image stabilization. It has a close focus ability of 2.6′ / 79.2cm at 100mm, and 4.9′ / 149.3cm at 500mm.
The optical design consists of 19 Elements in 12 Groups, and it has 11aperture blades.
Covering 100–500mm (extendable to 1000mm with a teleconverter), it’s also ideal for wildlife, sports, and landscapes. It was built with both photographers and filmmakers in mind, and it features fast AF, a video-friendly design, and customizable controls.
A dual-phase linear motor drives rapid, precise autofocus, while focus breathing suppression and micro-step aperture control deliver uncompromising video performance. Featuring dust, splash, and freeze-resistant construction
Price & Availability
The Panasonic LUMIX S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. retails for $2,097 USD, and it is now available to pre-order.
As a comparison, the Sony FE 100-400mm costs $2,789 USD, and the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM retails for $2,799 USD.
