Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 50-200mm f/2.8-4
Panasonic

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 50-200mm f/2.8-4

$1,499~
MSRP (prices vary)
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Released: September 13, 2018
50-200mm
Focal Length
f/2.8
Max Aperture
Micro Four Thirds
Coverage
Stabilized
655g
Weight
67mm
Filter

Who the Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 50-200mm f/2.8-4 is for

The Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 50-200mm f/2.8-4 is a Micro Four Thirds 50-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom.

Best for

  • Wildlife, sports and distant subjects — reach to 200mm.
  • Handheld stills and video — optical stabilisation smooths shake.
  • Outdoor and travel use — a weather-sealed build.

How the Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 50-200mm f/2.8-4 compares to other Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds telephoto lenses

Every figure below is measured against the 15 Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds telephoto 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
Weight655g (1.44 lb)5th heaviest of 15
Price (MSRP)$1,499joint 5th most expensive of 15
Maximum aperturef/2.8joint 2nd widest of 15

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 655g (1.44 lb) comes from.

What 50-200mm at f/2.8 actually gives you

50-200mm 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 100mm would on full-frame.

f/2.8 held across the zoom range 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 and filters

At 655g (1.44 lb) it sits in the middle for handling: substantial enough to feel planted, light enough not to dominate the kit.

Filters are 67mm — 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, stabilisation and weather sealing

Autofocus is driven by a Stepping motor.

Optical stabilisation is built in, which stacks with in-body stabilisation on bodies that have it and does the work alone on bodies that do not.

The barrel is weather-sealed, so rain and dust are a manageable risk rather than a reason to pack up.

Full Specifications

Optical Design

Focal Length50-200mm
Lens TypeZoom
Optical Elements21
Optical Groups15

Aperture & Iris

Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades9
Rounded ApertureYes

Coverage & Angle

Format CoverageMicro Four Thirds
Lens MountMicro Four Thirds
Angle of View24° – 6°
35mm Equivalent100-400mm

Focus

AutofocusYes
Focus MotorStepping
Focus LimiterNo
AF/MF SwitchYes
Min Focus Distance75 cm
Max Magnification0.24x

Stabilization & Video

Optical StabilizationYes
Aperture RingNo
Declickable ApertureNo
ParfocalNo
Internal ZoomNo

General

Price (MSRP)$1,499
Filter Size67mm
Diameter76mm
Length136mm
Weight655g (1.44 lb)
Weather SealedYes
Tripod CollarNo

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