Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8: The Perfect Blend of Quality and Value in Standard Zoom Lenses!

The Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 is a versatile standard zoom lens designed for the brand’s full-frame mirrorless cameras. It caters to various photography styles, including architecture, landscapes, and portraits. When compared to the higher-end Lumix S Pro 24-70mm F2.8, it is significantly smaller and lighter, and priced at $899/£899, it’s about 50% cheaper.

Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 Overview:

• $899 / £899
• L-mount
• 10cm long, 544g
• 77mm filter thread
• 19cm minimum focus distance

As part of the L-mount alliance, this lens is compatible with Leica and Sigma mirrorless cameras, such as the Leica SL3 and Sigma BF. Although it can also be used on Leica’s older CL and TL-series APS-C cameras, yielding a focal range equivalent to 36-90mm, it is primarily intended to enhance Panasonic’s 24MP S1II and S5-series full-frame models.

Other full-frame camera manufacturers also provide budget-friendly f/2.8 zoom options, and it’s interesting to analyze their different approaches. Sony offers a 24-50mm option, which is the shortest zoom range, yet it’s the smallest and lightest available. Conversely, other brands like Canon and Sigma opt for a 28mm starting point with their 28-70mm zoom, while Nikon and Tamron go for a 28-75mm range.

There’s a strong argument to make that Panasonic’s 24-60mm is the best overall design. The 28mm options cannot attain its 24mm wide-angle view, but you can crop from the 60mm end to match their longer telephoto ends. So, how does it perform in real-world usage?

Key Features

Although it doesn’t have a ‘Pro’ label, the Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 is no ordinary lens. It consists of 14 elements arranged in 12 groups, including 3 aspherical elements to reduce aberrations and enhance sharpness in the corners, and 2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements along with 1 Ultra ED element to control color fringing.

Focusing is done internally, utilizing Panasonic’s Dual Phase Linear motor for quick and accurate autofocus. The minimum focus distance ranges from 19cm to 33cm as you zoom, with a maximum magnification of 0.3x at the 30mm focal length.

According to Panasonic, the lens is built with dust and splash resistance, featuring seals around the mount and moving parts, and it can operate in temperatures down to -10°C. A fluorine coating helps repel raindrops and fingerprints from the front lens.

A bayonet-style flower-shaped lens hood is included, featuring a locking button to keep it secure and can be reversed for easier storage without obstructing the zoom ring. A 77mm thread accommodates filters.

Design and Handling

The design and build quality of the 24-60mm mirror Panasonic’s other Lumix S lenses. The plastic-bodied lens features a wide zoom ring at the center, and a manually rotating focus ring at the front, distinguishably wider for better differentiation. An AF/MF switch is present on the barrel, which may be redundant since most Panasonic cameras offer similar controls on the body.

In terms of size, the Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 is 99.9mm long, 84mm in diameter, and weighs 544g. In contrast, the 24-70mm F2.8 Pro measures 140mm in length and weighs a hefty 935g; personally, I’d prefer the lighter model for extended use. Notably, it’s only slightly larger than the 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 kit zoom lens bundled with various Lumix S cameras.

The lens introduces a few new controls for Panasonic. A Focus button on the barrel can be programmed from the camera body. However, it’s small and recessed, making it potentially hard to locate quickly by feel, though this minimizes the chance of accidental presses.

Additionally, the manual focus ring can be reassigned to adjust aperture or exposure compensation, but this only works on S1II-series models (the S1RII requires a firmware update). Given that Panasonic cameras typically have three control dials on their bodies, reassigning this feature may not be particularly useful; I’d recommend keeping it on manual focus mode.

During my testing, I found the 24-60mm to pair beautifully with the Panasonic Lumix S1IIE, presenting a well-balanced feel in hand. However, one drawback is that the zoom ring feels a bit tight, making precise composition slightly challenging.

Autofocus Performance

Examining the autofocus capabilities, this lens excels. It operates quickly and is nearly silent, with no issues regarding accuracy. Videographers may notice minor focus breathing at 24mm, with a slight widening of the angle of view when focusing on closer subjects, but this is well-controlled at longer focal lengths.

If switching to manual focus, you’ll discover that the focus ring is incredibly smooth and precise, enabling sharp results with ease.

Image Performance

I used the Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 extensively while reviewing the Lumix S1IIE and was quite pleased with the images produced. Although it isn’t labeled as a ‘Pro’ lens, its performance is impressive. Images appear clean and detailed on the 24MP sensor, with no significant aberrations.

The lens’s sharpness is commendable. Scrutinizing my sample images reveals clear and defined details consistently across the frame, irrespective of focal length, aperture, or focus distance. f/5.6 generally yields the sharpest outcomes, although when using full-frame, stopping down to f/8 or f/11 is often advisable for greater depth of field.

While fine detail may be slightly less pronounced at f/2.8, particularly in the corners, real-world application typically doesn’t reveal this, as out-of-focus areas often dominate in scenes. Any in-focus elements will stand out pleasingly sharp, no matter their location in the frame.

As for other optical issues, you won’t encounter many at all. Panasonic has effectively employed software compensation to eliminate distortion and lateral chromatic aberration, both in-camera and during raw processing, ensuring straight lines remain straight and avoiding color fringing at the frame’s edges. Vignetting is also automatically corrected by Panasonic cameras. The result is very crisp and natural images.

Thanks to its large aperture, this lens is also capable of providing beautifully blurred backgrounds. I’m particularly impressed with how smoothly the out-of-focus areas are rendered.

When shooting close-ups with the longer end of the zoom, you can achieve impressive results.

Additionally, the 24-60mm F2.8 performs admirably when capturing images directly in bright light. There’s minimal image degradation from flare and ghosting, leading to a commendable overall optical performance.

Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8: Our Verdict

The Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 is a fantastic new addition to Panasonic’s collection. In the past, opting for an upgrade from the 20-60mm kit zoom to better optical quality meant choosing between the $1300 /£1099 Lumix S 24-105mm F4 OIS or spending even more on the Lumix S 24-70mm F2.8 Pro. It’s great to have a high-quality f/2.8 zoom at a more accessible price.

This lens can remain on your camera with confidence, consistently producing sharp, detailed images. While it may not be particularly groundbreaking, it’s a reliable performer that gets the job done without fuss. It pairs especially well with Panasonic’s S1 and S5 series cameras.

For L-mount users seeking an affordable f/2.8 standard zoom, the main competitor is the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN. Both lenses offer similar features, so the decision may come down to personal preference regarding focal length and regional pricing. In the US, the Sigma is priced higher at $989, but it’s cheaper in the UK at £779.

One personal concern of mine is that the 60mm focal length feels a bit limiting for a standard zoom—I often found myself wishing it could reach further. However, this is just a matter of personal preference. If you believe the zoom range will meet your needs, this lens is an excellent choice for L-mount users.

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Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm F2.8 Full Specifications