Panasonic continues to beef up its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens range with the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. (H-E08018), a wide zoom lens featuring 2.25x optical zoom (16-36mm equiv.), a fast F2.8-4.0 maximum aperture, Nano Surface coating to minimize flare and ghosting, and a rugged and dust/splash-proof design (freeze-proof down to -10°C). It features an aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens, three aspherical lenses, two ED lenses and an UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens that suppress spherical distortion or chromatic aberration to achieve high resolution and contrast from center to corners. It’s motor is quiet and designed to work with high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF.
The 8-18mm wide zoom lens is the second of the new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series lineup, the first being the 12-60mm (24- 120mm, 35mm camera equivalent) standard zoom lens. A third, the 50-200mm (100- 400mm, 35mm camera equivalent) telephoto zoom lens, is also planned for later.
The 8-18mm will be available at the end of May for a MSRP of US $1099.99.
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. (H-E08018)
Covering 16 mm Ultra-Wide Angle to 36 mm* *35mm camera equivalent
NEWARK, N.J., April 18, 2017 — Panasonic is proud to introduce a new wide zoom digital interchangeable lens, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 16-36 mm) as the second lens to be introduced from its LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series.
Covering a focusing distance from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto, this new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 series achieves exceptionally high descriptiveness for both photo and video recording and yet its size is compact. All lenses also take advantage of Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology to minimize ghosting and flaring. The 8-18 boasts a rugged, dust/splash-proof design and is freeze-proof down to -10℃ to deliver professional use under harsh conditions. The high-quality video recording capability is also one of the advantages of this lens series.
The new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH offers a zoom range of ultra-wide 16 mm to versatile 36 mm (35mm camera equivalent). It covers a variety of daily shooting situations, from dynamic landscapes to street photography. Taking advantage of the F2.8-4.0 high-speed performance, it is suitable for capturing starry sky or a night scenery. With a filter (67mm) such as ND or PL, this lens provides various expression in both photos and videos.
Comprised of 15 elements in 10 groups, the lens system features an aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens, three aspherical lenses, two ED lenses and an UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens. The use of these lenses effectively suppresses spherical distortion or chromatic aberration to achieve high resolution and contrast from center to corners.
The sensor drive at max. 240 fps enables to take full advantage of cameras with high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF. It also helps to reduce wobbling. Notably, the new lens excels in video recording performance. In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the micro-step drive system in the aperture control section helps the camera to smoothly capture brightness changes when zooming or panning. The optical design achieves exceptional barycentric stability to minimize image shifts during zooming. The AF tracking performance when zooming is also improved thanks to high-speed frame analysis for focus control.
The 8-18mm lens will be available at the end of May for a MSRP of $1099.99. Offered in sharp, metallic black, it stylishly matches the LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) cameras.
The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series lineup will expand with additional 50-200mm (100-400mm, 35mm camera equivalent) telephoto zoom lens.
• Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including products from Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Beauty, Grooming, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. Panasonic was featured in Fortune Magazine’s 2016 ranking of 50 companies that are changing the world and doing well by doing good. To learn more about our products, visit panasonic.com. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicUSA; additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
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