Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm f/2.8
Panasonic

LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm f/2.8

$699~
MSRP (prices vary)
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.

Released: July 30, 2009
45mm
Focal Length
f/2.8
Max Aperture
Micro Four Thirds
Coverage
Stabilized
225g
Weight
46mm
Filter

Who the Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm f/2.8 is for

The Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm f/2.8 is a Micro Four Thirds 45mm f/2.8 macro prime.

Best for

  • Macro and close-ups — 1x magnification.

Keep in mind

  • Aperture tops out at f/2.8 — less low-light headroom and background blur than faster lenses.

How the Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm f/2.8 compares to other Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds macro lenses

Every figure below is measured against the 5 Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds macro lenses in the catalogue, so you can see where this lens actually sits rather than reading its spec sheet in isolation.

SpecThis lensWhere it lands
Weight225g (7.9 oz)2nd heaviest of 5
Price (MSRP)$6992nd most expensive of 5
Maximum aperturef/2.8joint widest of 5

Being both among the fastest and among the heaviest here is physics rather than coincidence: an f/2.8 maximum aperture needs a larger front element and more glass behind it, which is where the 225g (7.9 oz) comes from.

What 45mm at f/2.8 actually gives you

45mm sits close to the way the eye takes in a scene, which is why this range tends to get used as a general-purpose focal length. On the Micro Four Thirds bodies it covers, it frames like 90mm would on full-frame.

f/2.8 is the working standard for a fast lens — a stop or two of low-light headroom over a kit zoom, and noticeably more background separation.

Size, close focus and filters

At 225g (7.9 oz) it is light enough that it stops being a decision — the kind of lens that stays on the body or in the bag without thought.

Maximum magnification is 1x, meaning the subject can be projected onto the sensor at life size or larger — true macro rather than a close-focus marketing claim. It focuses as close as 15cm.

Filters are 46mm — worth checking against what you already own, since polarisers and ND filters at this size are reusable across any other lens sharing the thread.

Autofocus and stabilisation

Autofocus is driven by a Stepping motor.

There is no optical stabilisation in the lens, so handheld steadiness depends on the body having IBIS, or on keeping the shutter speed up.

Full Specifications

Optical Design

Focal Length45mm
Lens TypePrime
Optical Elements14
Optical Groups10

Aperture & Iris

Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades7
Rounded ApertureYes

Coverage & Angle

Format CoverageMicro Four Thirds
Lens MountMicro Four Thirds
Angle of View27°
35mm Equivalent90-90mm

Focus

AutofocusYes
Focus MotorStepping
Focus LimiterNo
AF/MF SwitchNo
Min Focus Distance15 cm
Max Magnification1x

Stabilization & Video

Optical StabilizationNo
Aperture RingNo
Declickable ApertureNo
ParfocalNo
Internal ZoomNo

General

Price (MSRP)$699
Filter Size46mm
Diameter63.5mm
Length71.5mm
Weight225g (7.9 oz)
Weather SealedNo
Tripod CollarNo

Browse Micro Four Thirds Lenses

All MFT MacroMFT Standard ZoomMFT Standard PrimeMFT Wide-Angle ZoomMFT Wide-Angle PrimeMFT Telephoto ZoomMFT Telephoto Prime