New Telezoom For M43 Further Leverages Format Size

Panasonic has announced another new telephoto lens which makes the most of the Micro Four Thirds sensor size to optimise its compact dimensions and lighter weight.

The new Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm f2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS model – which has an effective focal range of 100-400mm – is only 132 millimetres in length and weighs a very manageable 655 grams. It has a fully weather-proofed external construction (including insulation for shooting in sub-zero temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius) which uses metal barrel tubes. On the inside the optical construction comprises 21 elements in 15 groups, including seven special types – two aspherical elements, four with extra-low dispersion characteristics and one with an ultra-high refractive index. Collectively, these special elements correct for chromatic aberrations and distortion to optimise both sharpness and contrast. Panasonic’s ‘Nano Surface Coating’ is used to minimise both ghosting and flare.

The new 50-200mm is compatible with Panasonic’s 240 fps high-speed detection for its latest-generation ‘Depth From Defocus’ (DFD) contrast-detection autofocusing, and the ‘Dual IS 2’ hybrid image stabilisation which employs a combination of optical and body-based correction methods. The minimum focusing distance is 75 centimetres which gives a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at 200mm (i.e. 400mm). Two compatible teleconverters are available – the DMW-TC14 which gives a 1.4x increase in the focal range and the DMW-TC20 which gives a 2.0x increase. With the DMW-TC14 the focal range effectively becomes 140-560mm and with the DMW-TC20 it’s up to 200-800mm.

The 50-200mm lens is the third f2.8-4.0 speed zoom introduced by Panasonic and joins the 8-18mm and 12-60mm models, giving photographers a range of 16mm to 400mm across three compact, weather-sealed lenses.

The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm f2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS will be available in Australia from June, priced at $2299.