Japanese electronics brand Panasonic has announced a new lens to go with its full-frame Lumix S1 cameras and updated a fan favourite for its Micro 4/3 cameras.
Co-inciding with the announcement of the filmmaker-focused Lumix S1H ($5999), the third addition to the range, Panasonic has also unveiled the Lumix S-Pro 24-70mm F2.8 ($3599).
“This new S Pro lens will be a popular workhorse for professionals, with its focal length ensuring versatile use for landscapes, snaps and portraits,” Panasonic senior product marketing manager, imaging Scott Mellish said.
The lens features fast and precise autofocus thanks to a dual-motor design and also includes a focus clutch for instant switching between manual and auto-focus, allowing shooters to quickly fine tune focus.
Focus breathing suppression is also included to improve video performance, making it an ideal lens for the new S1H.
The new L-Mount lens is the third Leica-certified Panasonic lens, meaning it’s been designed and built to the highly regarded optics brand’s standards.
It’s also one of 11 lenses Panasonic plans to have using the L-Mount system, which is expected to have 46 total lenses by the end of this fiscal year.
Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma currently make lenses for the L-Mount, with Sigma and Leica having 17 and 18 lenses respectively.
Panasonic’s commitment to the L-Mount is based on providing versatility and compatibility across different brands.
“It’s really important for cameras like the S1H because we’re targeting an audience that already has strong ties to different brands and equipment,” Mr Mellish said.
“No one is using just one brand in that space… we do work with third party brands to make sure we’ve got a good level of compatibility.”
Mr Mellish added it “doesn’t make sense” for the company to put too much focus on proprietary technology.
“With the L-Mount we didn’t make our own mount, we could have introduced a full frame system that had a proprietary new mount, we decided because we’ve already got a relationship with Leica and they have this fantastic mount that offers a lot of benefits for mirrorless, let’s use that.”
Panasonic has previously worked with Leica on lenses for its Micro 4/3 cameras, a standard it collaborated with Olympus on.
One of those lenses, the Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH ($999), has now been updated.
The second-generation of the lens combines the f/1.4 aperture and 50mm full-frame equivalent focal length of its predecessor with a more rugged splash and dust resistant design.
Both the 24-70mm lens and the updated Summilux are due to go on sale in Australia in October.
