Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. vs Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount)
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is 70-300mm, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. for super-telephoto, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) for standard.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. if…
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 300mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You want one-lens flexibility — a 70-300mm zoom covers what the fixed 50mm can't reframe.
- ✓You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
- ✓You like close-focus work — 0.5x magnification vs 0.15x.
Choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/4.5, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 50mm prime over a zoom.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.2 vs the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S.'s f/4.5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is 70-300mm, Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Type: the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is a zoom (flexible framing), the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
- ›Price: the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is $899, $100 under the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount).
- ›Stabilisation: only the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
- ›Close-up: the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. reaches 0.5x magnification vs 0.15x — more for close-up and macro work.
Frequently asked
Is the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. or the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is 70-300mm, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 50mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. for super-telephoto, the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) for standard.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S.?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. if you need more reach — it goes to 300mm vs 50mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 70-300mm zoom covers what the fixed 50mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't. Choose it if you like close-focus work — 0.5x magnification vs 0.15x.
Who should choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Choose the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.2 is faster than f/4.5, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 50mm prime over a zoom.
What is the main difference between the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. and the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Aperture: the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.2 vs the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S.'s f/4.5 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 70-300mm | 50mm |
| Lens Type | Zoom | Prime |
| Optical Elements | 18 | 17 |
| Optical Groups | 12 | 12 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 | f/1.2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Rounded Aperture | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Lens Mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Angle of View | 34° – 8° | 47° |
| 35mm Equivalent | − | − |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Motor | Stepping | HLA |
| Focus Limiter | No | No |
| AF/MF Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Min Focus Distance | 70 cm | 40 cm |
| Max Magnification | 0.5x | 0.15x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Declickable Aperture | No | Yes |
| Parfocal | No | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $899 | $999 |
| Filter Size | 77mm | 72mm |
| Diameter | 84mm | 85mm |
| Length | 148mm | 102mm |
| Weight | 790g (1.74 lb) | 750g (1.65 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
