Panasonic has announced the Leica DG Vario-Summilu 20-50mm / F1.7 ASPH lens that is built for mirrorless Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount cameras, enabling F1.7 aperture brightness throughout the entire 50-100mm (35mm camera equivalent) zoom range. The lens owns a stepless, de-clicked aperture ring for smooth, silent aperture switching to benefit video applications. All details below.

Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7

Versatility within a short telephoto range, the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH., from Panasonic, is a 50-100mm-equivalent zoom for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. Ideal for portraiture, fashion, events, and other mid-range subjects, this lens pairs the useful focal length range with a bright constant f/1.7 maximum aperture, advanced optics, and a portable form factor.

Reduced artifacts

Comprising 17 elements in 12 groups, the lens system features three aspherical lenses and four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses that effectively suppress the axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Spherical aberration and distortion are also corrected by the aspherical lenses for stunningly high resolution. The use of aspherical lenses and the optimum design of the lens system results in a compact size. 

Stepless, de-clicked aperture ring  for videographers

In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the stepless aperture ring and micro-step drive system in the aperture control section help the camera to smoothly catch up to brightness changes when zooming or panning. The optical design achieves exceptional barycentric stability to minimize image shifts during zooming. A focus ring is equipped for intuitive, precise focusing and linear/ non-linear settings can also be switched with this ring. 

Ket features of the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7

1. Normal-to-short-tele zoom is designed for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras (50-100mm equivalent focal length range)
2. f/1.7 constant maximum aperture
3. One aspherical element, three extra-low dispersion elements, and one ultra high-refractive index element
4. Linear AF motor, and an internal focusing system for quiet autofocusing performance along with virtually no focus breathing throughout the focusing range from 11″ to infinity
5. Focus Clutch mechanism allows for intuitive switching between AF and MF modes, simply by sliding the focusing ring (if paired with select Lumix cameras, Focus Ring Control can be used to tune the focus rotation feeling)
6. The physical aperture ring has a stepless, de-clicked design for smooth, silent aperture switching to benefit video applications.
7. Splash, dust, and freeze-proof design
8. Rounded nine-blade diaphragm
9. Designed to closely match the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7

Price and availability

The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 is available for preorder on the B&H and Adorama websites (see Product List below). Price: $1,798 USD.

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA