Panasonic Leica 12-60mm vs Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm mk II - Episode 18
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ย. 2019
- In this episode we compare the Panasonic Leica 12-60mm vs Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm mk II in real world scenario (mostly for landscape photography) and attempt to identify what set these two "do it all lenses" apart.
This agrees with my perception. I owned a G80 with Lumix 12-60 for several years but I also have the 14-140 which I use more because of the range. I've always been happy with the results from both, l've used the 12-60 indoors and for landscapes when I want the wider view. So, I bought a used G9 which came with the Leica 12-60 so I spent a little time working out whether it would take over from the 14-140 of the cheaper Lumix 12-60. In short, it didn't. Whilst the Leica has a quality feel to it, I didn't notice any improvement in image quality and I actually found the Lumix lenses balanced better on my camera. So, I sold the Leica 12-60 as I felt the 14-140 was going to carry on as my go-to general lens. And by the way, the mark ii power ois 14-140 is much better than the earier mark i lens. That's just my experience.
3 years after production I came across this item which interested me as I have both lenses which I use on a G90/GX9/G80. The G90+Leica combo feels more premium but for versatility any of the bodies coupled with the Panasonic lens provides a great outfit for most occasions. The GX9/14-140 was a real winner on a cruise I did in late '21, very pleasing results in all lighting conditions, and in variable weather including heavy showers.
First of all, props to you for putting the text in your video, so people with hearing disabilities can enjoy these videos too!
Your photos are amazing! You really pulled the best out of those two lenses. What else do we even need when it comes to image quality?
I like your methodology too. You are so detailed and thorough I can see you as a person who would even go around with two same cameras with different lenses for comparison videos, just to be more precise.
It's a great analysis!
I would love to see more of side by side scenery photos with both lenses (of those photos at the end of the video).
Also, more examples of the max zoom shots would be good too, and including a name of the camera model from this video somewhere in the corner or in the description (for those in a hurry).
I think It would be a great addition, at least to me.
Thank you for clearing things up.
Thank you some much for this, this is the one of the only good videos that actually compares image quality and in 4k this is very much appreciated 👍🏼
Thanks for the review. I’ve owned both lenses. PanaLeica 12-60 f/2.8-4 is a tad sharper across the range. The key reason for me to sell my 14-140 3.5-5.6 was that I needed brighter apertures and weather resistant badge. Now that the new 14-140 Mk II splash & dust proof is available, I sold the 12-60 and purchased this new version which couples better with my GX9. Either ways you’ll be very happy.
Very good shots, thank you. Bought the 14-140, today my gh6 is coming, excited
Great comparison Paul, and great samples. That 14-140mm II would have been the perfect range lens for airshows to cover the air action for video/photo and the close up work for video/photos. Keep up the great work.
Very nice comparison! Thanks for the hard work behind this video.
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your comment, it's always appreciated to know that viewers find value in my videos.
Cheers
Thanks for enlightening on these two lenses. Would go for 14-140.👍
Excellent review! there aren't many videos comparing these 2 lenses, this is the best one I've seen so far. Great work!
I have the old 14-140mm, and because I just upgraded from the G7 to G9 I was looking for a weather sealed Zoom lens. But after watching your video I think I'll sell my current 14-140mm and get the Mk II which is weather sealed. It should pair nicely with my new G9 :)
Thanks again for such a good video!
Hi Diego,
Thank you for thanking the time to share your experiences, it's always nice to hear from other users. I'm glad you found the video useful and I'm wishing a lot of fun making photographic memories with your new gear.
Cheers
Great comparison, thank you. I was able to snag the Lumix 14-140mm mk II for just $180 and now I know I'm not missing much.
Hi Cory,
Thank you for the positive feedback it's always appreciated to know that viewers find value in my videos.
180$ for a 14-140mm mk II that is an amazing bargain. Was it in good shape?
Cheers
Wow! 💯👍
Interesting comparison Paul. Thanks for taking the time to do it.
I got the 14-140 with the GX8 a few years ago when i transitioned to M43. Couldn't get sharp photos at all until i found it it suffered shutter shock. Once i used the electronic shutter it was an impressive lens considering the zoom range. The shutter design they now use pretty much eliminates the shutter shock issue.
I got the 12-60 with the G9 when it came out. I've never done side by side tests, but always felt the 12-60 was just a tad sharper, but that's when pixel peeping. Zooms have a habit of becoming softer at the long end, and that's what i found with both lenses, though a little more with the 14-140 as i'd probably expect with such a zoom range, but saying that, it does hold up very well when compared with other long zooms i've used with other systems. Your comparison at 100mm with the 100-300 shows how well it holds up at that focal length.
Overall i think both are very good zoom lenses. Personally i really like that extra 2mm wide angle on the 12-60. But as i also have a GX9 then i'll be pairing the 14-140 with it for hiking a lot more. The weight and zoom range, plus the quality, make it a great combo for days out when it's about the walk rather than a pure photography day.
I updated the firmware, but only had time for a trial in the garden with birds in the trees. The lighting was dreadful and they were blackbirds with back lighting, but i'd say it definitely did better than when trying out gear in similar conditions in the past. I'm hoping to get out and give it a better trial soon.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences it's very much appreciated.
The more I read and search the more I think I may not have gotten the best 12-60mm...
I really wanted a slightly wider and faster lens.
All is not lost, both lens deliver great images, I was just expecting a little more from the 12-60mm.
I'm currently testing the new Animal detect AF, but I've been having bad weather lately...
Cheers
Thank you, that’s the comparison I was looking for!
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for your positive feedback, it'a always appreciated to know that viewers find value in my videos.
I hope you have a great time with your gear a get amazing results.
Cheers
Thanks again for this video. I bought the second version of the 14-140 when I bought my camera and have since upgraded to the third, weatherproof, version. I recently bought the companion 7-14mm zoom to pair with the 14-140... I am very happy with both lenses!
Hi Sean,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, it's always appreciated. I've been thinking about getting the 7-14 mm, so it's nice to hear that you're happy with your copy.
Cheers,
Good video Paul. Nice to see real world comparisons. I currently only have the 100-400mm for my G9 but will be adding some other lenses soon. This gives me more to consider. Thank You
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to comment, a lot of work goes into a single video and it's always nice to hear that viewers are finding value in them.
Yes there's a fine selection of lenses out there and it can be somewhat of complicated task to make sense of all the possibilities, but it's also fun to be researching new gear. Best of luck with your research.
BTW I own a 100-400mm and love it, it's a great lens.
Cheers!
Thank you for such a great detailed comparison. Music is good and landscape pictures are amazing.
Hi,
Thank you for your positive feedback, it's always appreciated to hear that viewers find value in my videos.
Cheers
Thank you for another excellent review! You have a good eye for color and composition, well done.
Hi,
Thank you very much for your positive feedback, it's always appreciated to know that viewers enjoy the videos.
Cheers
Thank you so much for this complete comparison. You helped me in my choice !
Hi Albane,
Thank you for your positive feedback, it's always appreciated to know that viewers find value in my videos.
Cheers
Hey Paul nice video thanks, I love your content big time! I just got the old 14-140 F4 with a second hand deal as part of the package to acquire the PL 25mm. F1.4. I thought I'd give a quick crack at comparing the 25mm focal lengths thinking the 1.4 would blow the 14-140 out of the water, instead it was so close at f5 aperture I was amazed the 1.4 is sharper but only noticeable at serious pixel peeping levels! Obviously corner sharpness is way better on the prime but the centres was surprisingly similar. However the 1.4 has better character and image rendering.
Hi John,
Thank you for you positive feedback it's always appreciated to know that viewers find value in my video, but also thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. Your observations are very interesting and useful, because I could never afford or be able to test all the lens out there.
The main idea behind the Field Note series is to test gear in real world scenarios, take notes, share them with a group of photo enthusiast (through TH-cam) and get a conversation going where everyone can share useful bits of information with others and thus help the group.
Going into this real world comparison I knew that the 14-140mm lens was good but I didn't expect it would be this good compared to the PL 12-60mm. But that is also one of the other motivations behind the Field Notes series: don't take things for granted, test, research, learn while having fun.
Cheers
That's a great comparison! Thank you!
Thanks Paul. Exactly what I was looking for. I'm using GX9 with my trusty 14-140mm for stills and GX8 for video, and really pleased with the size, weight and performance. I'll save my money and not get the Leica 12-60mm since I would be looking for more sharpness.
The text is a good idea and useful when the white letters weren't on light backgrounds and could be read.
great review, thanks! :)
Wow, thanks Paul, here is my answer. I was on the fence for a while now to figure out which I should get. Now i know 14-140 it is.
Hi Allen,
Thanks for the positive feedback, it's always appreciated to know that viewers find value in the videos. I hope you have lots of fun with your gear and are very happy with the photos you get.
What type of photography do you like to do?
Cheers,
For long hikes I use the Pany Leica Fz 2500, f 2.8-4.5, 24-480mm bridge camera. This all-in-one makes for quick & easy shooting no mater what the situation. It even has a ' Macro ' setting. If I use i zoom - jpeg only - it can reach out to 960mm with no loss of IQ. The zooming is done inside the lens with no tromboning. I've recently bought the G9 & the 100-400mm lens for wildlife / birds. With the help of your video I think I may have found a good general purpose lens in the P Lumix 14-140mm. Although I love all the features of the G9, I'm finding it a bit of a challenge not to be garbing the Fz with it's versatility & ease of use. Again, your review has been a big help.
The Pana / Leica 12-60 is a fine lens and I had one for some time paired with a 45-175 power zoom as a travel outfit. I had no complaints with the results from either of those lenses, but recently swapped them out for the Olympus 14-150mm mk ii, mainly as I wanted to shrink my kit as much as possible. I have to say, I'm not noticing any difference in IQ between the 14-150 and the 12-60 that bothers me and the convenience is definately a plus. I'm actually quite blown away by how good these little superzooms have become.Its even smaller and lighter than the 12-60 alone and still has weather sealing.
Interesting... I have 14-140mm Mk ii waiting to be tested, now i am on the testing, learning of panasonic 30mm. Thanks for sharing 👌
Hi,
I saw your video on the Panasonic 30mm. You have some very beautiful images.
How do you like this lens so far?
How would rate the image quality?
Cheers,
@@PaulBawby Thank you Paul :)
If the settings are correct (in my case above F8-F11) AND the light is so powerful than the image quality is 99.99%
P.S. I shut some new macro photos, it will be online in a few days.
AllTheBest 🙏
@@PaulBawby hi, some photos with Panasonic 30mm : th-cam.com/video/r_zImgpdJvk/w-d-xo.html
Good day!
Thanks for the comparison! Interesting conclusions, indeed.
Hi Mark, glad to hear you found the comparison interesting.
Cheers!
I have a G9 and the 14-140mm. I also have a PL8-18mm, a 100-300mm, and the PL 100-400mm. The 14-140mm has amazed me.
I'm curious, what's your opinion on the PL 8-18mm, especially as far as image quality goes?
I'd love to have a lens wider than 12mm.
@@PaulBawby I like the image quality. You also might consider the PL 10-25mm because of its greater range. I don't have it, but especially for video its supposed to be good. Of course the price is prohibitive.
@@wcbibb I agree, I've thought of the PL 10-25mm it's a great lens with a very nice focal range, but it's more than 2x the cost and more than 2x the weight. At more than 2x the weight, it kind of negates the point of going with MFT for me (especially when I'm doing multi day backpacking in the backcountry).
@@PaulBawby Gordon Laing does a good comparison between the PL 10-25mm and PL8-18mm. I shoot stills so I cannot justify the PL10-25. i could carry the PL10-25mm if it replaced several prime lenses but, for me, I'll stick with the PL8-18 and the P14-140mm with the occasional use of the PL100-400mm. I have the choice of the P100-300mm for a lighter super telephoto instead of the PL100-400 which gets very heavy on a long hike..
@@wcbibb Excellent suggestion, I will check out the video. Thanks
I agree with you. I have 14-140 ii and 12-35 2.8 ii and the 14-140ii is more sharpness from 14mm to 35mm but it has more chromatic aberration. In my opinion 14-140 ii is one of the best travel zoom that I have used.
a lot of work on that video. Thanks a lot, u helped me decide and your pics are very inspiring.
14-140 for me.
Hi Romain,
Thank you very much for your kind words it's always very much appreciated to know that viewers find value in the videos I make. As you mentioned there is a tremendous amount of work that goes in each of my videos, but it's a labor of love, a true passion and it give me a great platform to exchange with fellow photography enthusiasts like you.
Cheers
exact question that I have. thanks! I currently have the 14-140. just started the video.
I obviously can't say if your 12-60 was a poor copy or not, but I have had a 14-140 for several years and have been very impressed with it, with similar results to your own. I have more expensive (fast prime) lenses which I use in various specific situations, but the 14-140 is by far my most used lens. As an everyday general purpose and travel lens I don't think it can be bettered in terms of the balance of price, quality and zoom range. If someone was only going to have one lens for their MFT camera this is the one I would recommend. (Unless they had a very specific intended use, such as portrait photography). Thanks for the review. It is helpful to me in that it confirms the 12-60 would be of no particular benefit to me, since I also have the 7-14 (which covers the wider angles) and I have 12, 15, 25, and 42.5mm primes that give me wider aperture than the 14-140 (and 12-60) when needed. That's not to say the 12-60 wouldn't be a good choice for others. 🙂
Hi Kenny,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences, it's exactly what this channel is all about. I try out and compare gear then share my thoughts with the community in order to get a conversation going.
There's no right or wrong, a specific camera and lens combination might be exactly right for one person, but not quite what someone else is looking for.
There's value in exchanging thoughts and ideas, because very few users can test all the camera and lens combination possible.
I had heard good things about the 12-60mm and would have liked a slightly wider "do it all" lens for my multiday hiking trips, but honestly although the 12-60 is a great lens I don't think it works well for me.
Cheers
I compared the sharpness between images taken with my 12-32mm kit lens and three copies of the Leica branded 12-60mm lens at a camera store last year. The results all turned out to be the same: my super plasticky kit lens took slightly sharper photos than the 12-60mm F2.8-4 did. I ended up walking away from the store without a purchase and felt very sorry for the salesperson.
Hi Derek,
Your findings are very interesting, I have not done this comparison. Maybe I should look into the 12-32mm. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject matter it's very much appreciated.
Cheers,
I agree on the 12-32!
It's a slower lens for sure and I often feel like it doesn't have enough reach, but it's sharpness is honestly incredible for such a tiny zoom!
I find the Leica 12-60 to be a bit better, but it's pixel-peeping. I used to have the old Oly 12-50 and the difference was way more marked there, when I got the Pana 12-32 I was really surprised how much better my images could be!
Nice lens + thanks for sharing 😁
Thank you, glad you found value in it.
Cheers
Just uploaded & installed the 2.0 firmware on my G9! Fortunately, we do have a cat at home to try the new animal detection... I'm so exited to try it next weekend on real wildlife.
BTW @Paul, your video did show up at the perfect moment since I'm currently looking for a new travel lens (to replace my lost Olympus 14-150). I even wrote some basic code to get statistics on my focal length / aperture usage over the last year... So, a big thanks!
Hi Laurent,
I've just installed the firmware upgrade on mine too. Unfortunately I don't have any pets (kids are allergic) so I had to resort to testing it on photos from one of my nature calendars... It seems to detect the general shape of the animal/bird most of the time, but I don't get a sense that it knows to focus on the eye... I'll have to wait until I can test it on real live subjects this weekend.
I'm always happy to hear that viewers find any value in what I'm posting, thanks for the positive feedback and best of luck in your search, perhaps you'll be able to get a sweet deal during the black Friday sales.
Cheers
For those of us on a more stringent budget, is there much optical difference between the 14-140 mark one and two. I thought that I had read that the optics were basically the same. What is the difference? Thank you. Great videos in your collection.
were your panorama shots stitched together or in pano mode in camera?
I'm wait anxiously this G9 update...
Hi,
I'm really looking forward to testing out those new features myself as well, it's almost like getting a new camera!
Very exciting!
Cheers
Hi,
Thanks a lot, now i know what to get
Hi Jacques,
Thank you very much for the positive feedback it's always very much appreciated to know that viewers find value in my videos.
Cheers
Excellent explanation. I agree with your opinion. I will stay with my old 14-140mm with new Panasonic G9. Thank you.
Hi Anna,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on the subject, it's always appreciated to hear from other user's experiences.
Cheers!
I’ve got two 14-140 lenses and they are my grab and go lenses and am very happy with them. Had both for over eight years so mine are not splash proof. When I want a wider view I change lenses for either the heavy Oly Pro 7-14 f2.8 or the 12-32 kit compact lens which is amazingly sharp but has no manual focus ring. The 14-140 is compact and lightweight so goes well with even my GX80 camera. It is a stark contract in weight, size and sharpness to the equivalent full frame Sony 28-280 lens which I hardly ever use on my Sony A7III
It's me again, in my previous post I mentioned that my comparison test between the PL12-60 and the Lumix 14-140 concurred with your video, what I didn't say was that I also compared another camera at the same time.The Panasonic FZ1000 mk 1, which imho gave me better results than the PL 12-60 and was sharper at 25mm across the frame than 14-140 at 28mm eqvlt and at 60mm and 280 mm eqvlt was no worse or as good as the 14-140 and was better than the PL. It wasn't what I expected ,I had the money and wanted the G90 . The G90s low light advantage was cancelled out by the f3.5-5.6 vs f2.8 -f4 on the FZ1000, the PL would have been ok in this respect but the I Q wasn't there. So I came away with my 4yr old FZ1000, I got it when I left Nikon DSLRs and the weight behind and it looks like I'll have to wait for another lens, I don't want to go heavy so the Oly 12-100 pro is out.As a travel camera the FZ1K takes some beating.
Hi Toxophillus72,
That's very interesting to read. I've always known the FZ1000 was a good camera.
Nothing beats hands on experience with the gear to get a good understanding of the possibilities and limitations of each system.
I've always said that what works for one person won't necessarily work for the next one. So that why there's value in sharing our experiences, learning form others and then going out and testing the gear for ourselves.
I agree with you the FZ1000 makes a lot of sense as a travel camera.
Cheers!
Thanks a lot!! I have a lumix 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 and I was not much convinced to spend today almost 900 dollars for a PL 12-60mm. I will spend that money on tickets!! 👍🏻
Thanks for this video. What are my thoughts ?
1. Well the 14-140 f3.5-56 is a much better lens than my 14-140 f4-5.8.
2. Watching the video on a calibrated display shows some differences.
The Lumix has slightly more contrast, more saturated colours and warmer tones. These features make a very pleasant kit lens for average photographers.
The Leica pictures has a softer look and more natural, more suitable for portrait. It does not mean the Leica is not as sharp as the Lumix but is has the Leica look.
I have the 45mm f2.8 macro Leica which has this look: soft but sharp
.
Olympus 12-100 f4 is my new number 1 choice even is bit to big is absolutely best ans if i want rravel light or or low light situation PanaLeica 15mm f1.7 is the one.
Bravo for your analytic work. I never be atractive from 12-60. I believe that if you want and all around zoom you need sth with larger range. What I'm thinking is to shell my Olympuc 40-150 which actually is a really good lenses (up to90mm) and buy the 14-140 for traveling. Have you ever tested any long telezoom with 14-140? Is there any missing quality ?
Hi,
Thanks for your positive feedback, it's always appreciated to know that viewers find value in my videos.
In answer to your questions I haven't yet done a comparison between the 14-140mm and another longer lens (there are simply too many lens I would like to try out and my budget is not unlimited). I was really looking for a slightly wider lens with a faster aperture, hence my interest in testing the PL 12-60mm.
My copy of the 14-140mm is generally very good, when used at the wide end and not wide open.
At the longer focal lengths the center sharpness is good but the corners are softer which is often the case with zooms. The softer corner are not necessarily a dealbreaker, it depends on the type of photography you're doing. For example, for wildlife photography with one subject generally well centered it can work.
I hope this is useful.
Cheers
Paul, I don't own the Leica but have the lumix for the last 5 years and use it professionally and I can vouch for its usefulness. It's my go to when I'm not using my Sigma primes 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your feedback, it's always appreciated to hear from other photographers and to be able to know what works for them.
Can I ask what type(s) of photography you do professionally?
Cheers,
@@PaulBawby corporate portraits, mostly groups, sometimes headshots. I've had to retire though, due to health issues. But I have to say, I still do it from time to time and I don't shoot with studio strobes much anymore, pain in the you know what to carry them. Now I'll only shoot with ambient light but honestly ambient light looks better than strobes, better color.
Hi Mark,
I love to shoot portraits, but don't do it often enough. I agree natural light does, in my opinion, look better.
Do you ever shoot landscapes if so what's your go to lens?
Any recommandations in the 12mm or wider?
Hey Paul. Yes sometimes I will shoot landscapes. I use the sigma 16mm f1.4. I prefer to shoot at hyperfocal distance. I just focus at 3 feet then switch to manual focus to lock the focus then make sure there's something in the foreground.
And of course I stop down to f16.
Ok, you've convinced me to take the 14-140 on our 45 day expedition in the Wind River Range this July and August. If this goes bad, I'll let you know!
Do keep in mind that I only had access to one copy of each lens...
Wow 45 days!!! That's so awesome!!! I'm jealous 😉
What's your strategy for batteries for such an extended period?
@@PaulBawby I made a backpack that houses a 100watt solar panel exposed at 25 watts while hiking and 100 watt extended. Has a big lithium battery with 18 USB C smart outlets in an armored case where I keep wireless microphones, trailcam, action cam, and DJI Mini 2 and batteries charging for everything. It's about 33 lbs, and then I carry another 15 worth of ultralight personal gear.
This leaves almost no room for food, so I have to have someone else with me. If I was solo, I wouldnt take the drone, id only take 50 watts worth of panel and a smaller battery and then I'd have room for enough food for a few days. Catching fish is a must. We will bring dried eggs, dried whole milk, and dried meat.
Might snare some ground critters. Would absolutely love to have more people along, but not too many can take off that long. Open invite to anyone who wants to join us for any of it, as we could really use the help! The intent is to gather enough material for a full length documentary.
@@dherman0001 Sounds like you have a very interesting project going. Any chances you'll sharing bits of your documentary on TH-cam?
@@PaulBawby I'll be converting this channel over to a channel promoting what were up to within a week or so.
thank you, great video! What's your solution for ultra-wide to wide angle lenses, being landscape photography focused?
Hi,
Excellent question. I've been somewhat disappointed by the results of the 12-60mm and I've generally been favoring the 14-140mm lately and doing some photo stitching for larger panorama. I would still like to find a wider and faster do it all lens for my backpacking trips. I've been looking into lens like the PL 8-18mm. I was planning on renting a copy to test it on a backcountry backpacking photo trip. I had two major trips planned to national parks to do some backcountry backpacking with some great landscape photography opportunities. Unfortunately because of the pandemic all of my plans have been cancelled/postponed. Until quite recently I could not even rent the lens because because my favorite camera shop was closed...
So for now it will have to be 14-140mm with some photo stitching for larger panorama.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject.
Cheers,
@@PaulBawby I think stitching makes the most sense, I've been toying with wide angle converters for 14-140 with little success, now I carry a Laowa 7.5MM F2 with me for UWA shots and astrophotography -- Its a great little lens, but a bit too wide even for landscapes, so I think the 8-18 would be a great idea.
Thanks for the video mate. I'm between the 14-140mm mkii and the Olympus 12-100 f4. Would use mainly in panasonic body (gh5 or maybe the upcoming gh6) for videos mainly. Difficult decision mate!
Hi Rafael,
Glad to hear the video was of some help. Indeed it's not an easy decision, maybe try to rent both lens before buying, because sometimes the things that matter the most like handling are not so easy to quantify...
Best of luck with your decision.
Cheers
@@PaulBawby thanks mate for the response. I've got the conclusion that I'll go with the 14-140 as it has the dual Image Stabilisation with the panasonic.. Also the lens is way smaller and height less than the Olympus. I also watched some 4k videos witht eh 14-140 and don't think the image quality won't be that different from the Olympus. Anyway, thank you so much for the great review!
The strange thing about the 14-140 on the G9 is that I don't seem to have a need to switch lenses. I miss that, but I know the 14-140 is pretty much always the right choice. I think it's not only that it's a very nice lens, but that the OIS is SO good that it eliminates the need for almost all my primes. The stickler is low light, but that's just the nature of 4/3.
Hi Bill,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on the subject. I knew the 14-140mm was good but didn't know just how good it was until I compared it ;-)
I was hoping for a brighter and wider lens but what I got was a new appreciation for what I already had.
Cheers,
But the 14-140 can be also used for portraits? (bokeh)
had problems from the start with the 14-140 for stills perfect ,but for vids as you zoom a lot slower to capture your vid it tends to jerk this then shows up on the vid ,i sent it into be chcked but it came back the same ,brill for stills but vids no n no,any suggestions .
I had to work on this lens and finaly, finaly it came loose when using slow zooming. Its a lumix thing, I beleave. Leica maybe the answer to your lumix zoomgripe.
Thanks for the great review!
I was thinking about getting an olympus 40-150 f4-5.6, BuT noticed the Pana 14-140 MK1 isn't much more expensive used.
Do you, or other commenters here, know whether there are drawbacks of the mk1 Vs. MK2?
Hi Jamie,
Sorry for the delay in replying I somehow missed your comment.
To be honest I don't have enough hands-on experience with the mk I to be able to make a detailed comparison.
Cheers
@@PaulBawby no worries, thanks nevertheless!
Hey! Quick question, do you think you'll see a significant difference between the Lumix G80 with the 14-140 (II) vs Lumix G9 with the Leica 12-60 in low light conditions? Great, great video, thanks!
Good question, I don't have much experience with the G80 (I never own one) but I would think that you could expect similar results.
Please keep in mind that the results are based on a sample of one of each lens...
Cheers
@@PaulBawby Got that, thanks!
Hey Paul Bawby,
This is a very nice video about the 2 lenses and i have to agree that both make some very nice pictures.
I have only 2 lenses with my G9 and those are from the Leica fabrique. (12-60mm and a the 200mm prime)
Personally I will go for the Leica lenses but this is all in my head. I have never used the Panasonic lens so I can not judge about them.
The only thing I have noticed when I had a Panasonic lens in my hand is the build quality. Ofcourse this dont tell nothing about the image quality.
Yes I have noticed the update and I am very pleased with it. I think that I will install it right away. I am a beginner home photographer and like to shoot pictures of animals and plants/flowers.
For that i am curious of the Animal detect AF. I think in general it is nice to have some extra featurs for your camera.
Paul thank you for uploading this video. I enjoy watching your awesome pictures a lot!!!
Greetings from the Netherlands and sorry for my bad English.
Hi Remeo,
My current theory is I may have gotten a less than average performing Leica 12-60 and an above average Lumix 14-140mm. That would make more sense.
I too am looking forward to testing out the Animal Detect AF, I hope it works well, because I love to photograph animals and birds.
I'm also curious about 4K 10 bit recording for video and comparing that with what is currently available on the G9.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, it's always nice to hear from other users and their experiences.
I would love to try out the Leica 200mm prime, from what I heard it must be fabulous.
Don't worry about the quality of your English it's fine. English is my second language and I probably make fair amount of errors myself.
Cheers from Canada!
Hello@@PaulBawby,
Thank you for your replay!
Like i said in the previous comment, I am a beginner in photography and I dont have that trained eye to see which picture is better. I have watched your video a few times now but honnestly I can not see that much different. Also I dont know what makes a picture better than the other one. Is it the color, is it the brightness, is it the sharpness?? I really dont know (yet) I am just a man with a awesome camera who make 3 kinds of pictures.
1: pictures I dont like 2: pictures I like 3: pictures I love
With this I have a lot of pictures I dont like but also a lot of pictures I like. In all the pictures I have some I love. I guess for me that is the way I judge pictures. (i hope you understand what I mean to say)
The Leica 12-60mm was in the package when I purchase my camera but I almost never use it. I think I have shot about 200 pictures with it.
After many many information videos on TH-cam I knew I wanted to have that 200mm prime lens. Wow what a lens is that. It was not a cheap lens but I really love that lens a lot and I made already 64K photos with it. If you have the chance to buy or borrow that lens you will know what I mean :-)
I have this camera from March 2019 and made only 2 180fps vids with it for testing. So the new update featurs for film I dont have that much interest in.
On my wish list is still the 100-400mm and a nice macro lens.
Paul have a great evening!
Cheers
Well, I can't talk about the 14-140 but my personal experience with Lumix 12-60 vs Leica 12-60 is strongly in favor of the Leica. In particular, the build quality, weather sealing, and color rendition. Leica is heavier but does stay locked in focus as you zoom. You've made me want to look at the Lumix 14-140 MkII for added reach. Kind of surprised at the sharpness results.
But I want the G9 to replace or compliment the GX9, and that comes first. BTW, for anyone interested, the GX9 is a bit lighter, more compact, a bit older technology but lacks a lot of G9 features. Still the GX9 is a good performer for travel.
Hi Ben,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject.
I was surprised and maybe just and a little disappointed in my copy of the PL 12-60mm. I hope that I just got a below average copy of the Pl 12-60 and an above average copy of the 14-140mm...
I must say that for adventure photography on a long multiway trekking (7 days) the 14-140mm makes a nice light option that covers a wide focal range, perfect when your packing it in and packing it out on your back.
Currently not interested in a GX9, I'm saving my money for a "G10" should Panasonic decide to finally give us Phase Detect AF. I hope I won't have too long to wait ;-)
Cheers,
I think, if sharpness is your main concern, going for a more expensive, or "pro" lens is not necessarily always the best way to go.
Most of the price is for extra durability, weather sealing and, in some cases a few extra f-stops.
Consumer lenses are crazy sharp these days.
Hi Jamie,
Thank you for taking the time to join in on the conversation.
I agree with you, but one could be excused for thinking that a more expensive lens could offer extra durability (I threat all my gear like with great care), weather sealing (again I'm very cautious and use appropriate rain and snow protection) and still deliver the same or better sharpness than a "kit lens"... Well maybe I'm a dreamer...
In the end it's all about finding what works for your own individual needs and wants, so there's no one answer, hence the need for sharing observations to help out each other, because very few photographers can test in detail all the camera and lens combos...
Cheers
@@PaulBawby and thanks for the reply!
I completely agree! That's why I'm very grateful to people like you who just actually test the stuff and share their results.
Hi Paul ,very interesting comparison test. It compares with my own tests I did recently. I went to a dealership and compared the 14-140 mk2 against the P L 12-60 2.8- 4 on the G90/95. I was only able to compare these lenses inside the shop but it was a large shop. I took images at the same FLs and ISOs with the lenses wide open, letting the shutter speeds do what they want. So at 14mm/12mm @ 200 iso the PL had a slight advantage which was gone when I took them both to 17mm.? At 60mm at 200/1600/3200 iso and enlarged 150% on my pc to my eyes the 14-140 was sharper. I was very disappointed because I wanted the PL to be better.So apart from the speed advantage I see no reason to buy the PL. Maybe if I'd had the time to find the F number sweet spot for both lenses there would have been a different result but no thanks especially with the price difference. By the way I did my tests before I came across your video.
Hi,
Thank you very much for sharing a nicely detailed description of your experiences and thoughts on the subject matter. It's always very much appreciated to able to compare notes with other photographers who have firsthand knowledge of the same gear.
I like the fact that the PL 12-60mm is wider and faster but I guess I was expecting more on the image quality side.
Cheers
Hi Paul, hope you're keeping well. I'd like to change my mind about my comments. Since posting the above I have bought the G9 + PL12-60 F2.8 -F4. Recently due to a special deal I also purchased the 14-140 mk2 H-FSA14140. It is now a totally different result I have compared the two in controlled indoor conditions. The 12-60 keeps the colours very clean right out to the edges. The 14-140 is better than the one I tried at the dealers and its quite sharp in the middle but move out to the sides it's not so good. The 12-60s colours are much better, they have less bleeding. It obviously comes down to the lens copy we get. I would however recommend both lenses, these difference only show up if examined closely.
Sometimes you just get what you can afford and what Panasonic and retailers are offering. During Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2019 the G9 was on sale with the 12-60mm as the heck of a deal kit lens, so that's what I got. Made the cost of the 12-60 a great deal. Originally I wanted a G95 to supplement the G9 for more video use and because of the built in flash, but here in the US Panasonic forces the inferior 12-60 f3.5 with the G95, and I sure don't need another 12-60. So I bought a GH5 body and a used 14-140mm. I also bought a new 25mm f1.7 Lumix so I can have a fixed lens that works in low light. It is annoying that Panasonic does not sell the 14-140 as a kit in US or that you cannot buy just the G95 body. Other countries have much more choice. I've been using Panasonic for video cameras for over 15 years and I really like their equipment, but now I think the GH5 and G9 are great replacements for video only cameras. Enjoyed your photos and comparison. 😎
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the subject at hand.
The 12-60 is a great lens, but unfortunately my copy is not better than my 14-140mm in many respect which is kind of sad considering it's branding and price.
I totally agree with you about the kit configuration, it's a shame that most manufacturers don't show more flexibility in this regard. If the whole point of kits is to sell more gear, offering more kit options would make sense...
So what do you like shoot and film?
I hope you have lots fun with your recent purchases.
Cheers
@@PaulBawby I do a lot of travel photography and go to a lot of car shows.....funny to see how few people take pictures with a real camera, mostly silly selfies. I make video interviews of interesting people and events. I used to work at a university and had access to lots of great professional equipment, but now I have buy whatever I need. The MFT cameras are a welcome option to the more expensive and heavier gear. I think the Panasonic are best bang for the buck. Eventually I plan to buy a used Lumix 100-400 for wildlife photos. I had a bunch of 35mm film cameras, but do not miss film one bit. Hooray for the scientists and engineers that have created digital photography.
I totally agree with you, I don't miss film at all. As a matter of fact , even if film gave me the basic knowledge to understand photography concepts, digital is what gave me the opportunity to really try, test and explore.
I hope you can get your hands on a 100-400mm lens wildlife photography is so amazing.
Cheers,
Great video. 14-140 much better lens in my opinion.
Hi,
Thank you very much for you positive feedback, it's always appreciated to hear that viewers find valus in my videos.
Cheers
Great true comparison Paul, I bought the G9 in kit with 12-60 2.8 - 4 and I'm not satisfied with the sharpness, I also have the lumix 7-14 and 100-300 that are more sharp. The detail in 12-60 seems like is oversharpened with haloes around elements, in landscape photography this is not good. Probably the sensor of the G9 does not resolve the resolution of the lense.
You image are so crisp with very natural details, are stitched panorama? Or single shot? I'm in trouble in camera raw/lghtroom to find the perfect paramenter for the sharpness and detail for G9 rw2. What parameters do you use in RAW sharpening settings and noise reduction?
I had a canon 6d before G9 and on the details it was much simpler to edit.
Hi Giuseppe,
Thanks for the positive feedback and for taking the time to share your observations on the subject its always appreciated to hear from viewers.
In answer to your question, a fair number of the photos starting around 7:18 are stitched panorama photos but not all photos are stitched panoramas. The stitched photos have the mention "panorama" at the bottom of the photos. All panorama photos were shot handheld.
In Lightroom I typically use as little sharpening and noise reduction as i feel I can get away with. So I mostly leave everything at the default values except for the amount of sharpening (which I rarely take over 55) and the noise reduction luminance (I very rarely take over 10-12).
These numbers seem to work well for me, but I'm not saying that they are good for everybody in all circumstances, they just happen to work with my shooting style.
To help reduce the noise I try to nail the exposure correctly, so I have as little as possible exposure compensation to add.
I hope this makes sens and is useful.
Best of luck with your photography!
Cheers,
@@PaulBawby Thank you so much ;)
Super analysis. I went through the same comparisons, inadvertently and came to the same conclusion. I am back to the 14-140 Mk II and unrelated replaced my g9 with a gx9, didn't lose much but the better lvf and gained a lot of mobility. Thank you very much.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for positive feedback and for taking the time to share your thoughts on the subject matter. Because it's counterintuitive, it's nice to know that others have come to similar conclusions.
Sharing our experiences with others and learning from each other is what this channel is all about.
Unfortunately I don't yet have hands on experience with the GX9, so out of curiosity, what is it about the GX9 that you prefer over other MFT cameras?
Cheers
@@PaulBawby Thank you too Paul. I actually went from a G9 to the GX9 ! A few losses of features but much increased portability. I've been using rangefinder models for some time and thought the larger G9 LVF would be the end all, but it turned out to not outweigh (literally) the heft. I've also just purchased an LX100 Mark 2 as a walk around camera. I love it's control layout with the aperture ring on the lens, the shutter speed on the body top, and no need for a control knob!!! I can give some feedback in a month or so, if anyone is interested. Also note it is the Pany clone of the Leica D-Lux 7 with almost the same exact glass... Cheers, mike
@@mldavis1310 We live in a fascinating time, there are so many good options available for every kind of photography it's amazing and things keep getting better!
I'd certainly be interested in your general thoughts on the matter because I think that this the type of camera that appeals to my daughter and she's been talking about changing her camera...
What do you like to shoot with the GX9 and the LX100?
Do you have preferred genres?
Cheers
Nice video, No you got it right, my 12-60mm PanLeica rubs me the same way, so I am selling it to get the 12-35 f2.8 constant aputure.
Hi, thanks for taking time to share your experience with the PL 12-60mm, it's always appreciated to hear from other photographers.
I hope you have better luck with your 12-35 f 2,8. Would appreciate if you could let me know what you think of it once you've had a chance to test it out.
Cheers,
I have the 14-140.
Not sure, but compared to prime lenses I have, it's really soft overall. I have a gx80. I wish I can try the 12-60 Leica. But for now I'll stick to the 14-140.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences on the subject.
It's been my general experience that prime lens are almost always sharper than zoom lenses, especially "kit zoom lenses".
I hear you, there are numerous lenses I'd like to be able to test myself, but the budget won't alaays allow for buying them or for long term rentals...
What's your favorite prime lens at the wider end?
What do you like to photograph with it?
Cheers
@@PaulBawby I have the 20mm 1.7 mm I
I don't shoot wide. I got the Sigma 56mm 1.4 and that lens is bloody darn sharp.
Compared to the two, the 14-140 is mediocre in sharpness. Still decent though for all purpose kit lens.
Great lens but i believe that lens you are talking about is made by Olympus
12-100mm rocks
Thank you , great video and just the comparison I was searching for. I want to jump into a G9 and micro 43 in general. I was leaning towards the Leica 12-60 but had heard some good things about the 14-140 ii so I have begun my search. I thought there might be some difference in the color rendition, but aside from the first comparison photo, I didn’t notice any.
I’m wondering if you were to compare images at the 80mp setting, if that would bring out the difference between the two lenses?
Hi,
Thank you for your kind words, it's always appreciated to hear that viewers find value in my videos.
You bring up and excellent question and quite honestly I would have to look into it before giving you a definitive answer.
But if per chance you've watched my video on the High-Resolution mode 2, you would probably guess that I'm not a big fan of that mode for the kind of photography that I do...
I'm not saying that I won't do it eventually as a follow-up but right now I have two projects in my pipeline that I'm desperately trying to finish...
Also if you're getting ready to jump into the G9 you might be interested in knowing that rumors about an announcement for the GH6 (possibly several variations with according to rumors higher resolution sensor and better AF...) are surfacing more and more frequently. Even if you're not interested by the GH6, newer models might means better prices for the G9 (used or new).
Cheers
My 14-140 is always considered a softer lens by my estimation. This is in comparison to my sharpest lens, the 20mm 1.7 pancake, and my vintage Minolta 50mm MC Rokkor. But, I find certain apertures on the 14-140 give better results, and the focusing on this lens is the best of my Lumix branded lenses. Personally, I would not upgrade to the 12-60, as the price and quality difference is too high and too low, respectively. Thank you for the clip, Paul.
Hi,
I agree I don't think the 14-140mm could do well against a 20mm pancake image quality wise.
I've thought of going with a series of prime lenses, as I would certainly get better image quality, but I was deterred by my estimate of the bulk and weight it would add when on long treks.
My quest for the perfect "do it all, I can take it with me backpacking in the backcountry for a week lens" continues...
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and perspective on the topic. I always appreciate have feedback from viewers as I always learn something new.
Cheers
@@PaulBawby Your very sensible presentation of all possible options and scenarios tells me you are an excellent planner, which would be wise and prudent when venturing into the back country. Good for you, Paul.
Proper
Planning
Prevents
Poor
Performance.
@@PaulBawby At about 100 grams, I doubt you'd even notice the 20mm in your bag (or pocket)! The added image quality and extra light will pay dividends. A few shots and you can have a wide angle panorama. Regardless of what other lenses I had, I almost always have that lens with me.
@@glenpaling3106 Hi Glen,
I agree that on most days I probably wouldn't notice a small 20mm MFT lens.
But I often do long, technical, multi day backpacking trips where safe places in my backpack to carry camera gear is very limited.
I sometimes have to carry so much gear, food, clothing and other important things that I wonder if it makes sense to burden myself with camera gear or if I should just use a smartphone/action camera. Of course for the answer for me is always, yes take the camera along.
But then on those trips sometimes the weather conditions are so bad or the environment so harsh that I don't want to have to change lens often...
Hence my interest for the perfect "do it all multi day backpacking lens"
But yes, in the end I may decide to take along a small prime, but the question would still remain which one? a wide 12mm, "narrower " 20mm or something in between?
Cheers
You cannot judge a lens by its sharpness. There are many smaller factors that can make a big difference. I find that the 12-60 gives more three-dimensionality to the shadows, the highlights have the softest tones. They may look more detailed but if you compare them you can see definite tears. Let's say you mirror the comparison between the 20 lumix and the 25 Leica. You also need to see some "magic". Sharpness is a bourgeois and ephemeral concept
Hi Walter,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts on the topic at hand.
Though you may deem sharpness to be a “bourgeois and ephemeral concept” it is nonetheless very important to my clients that request very large prints, where a lack of sharpness is easy to notice. So lens sharpness is important in some photography fields.
This having been said I agree with you, you can’t judge a lens by it’s sharpness alone and that is why I have provided numerous photos and made the video available in the highest quality possible at the time of uploading it, so that viewers could make up their mind as to which lens they prefer for the reasons important to them.
I hope you’ll agree that the lens “magic” you refer to, as important as it may be, does have a “personal appreciation” side to it. Therefore it is very hard to quantify or evaluate, more subjective than other metrics mentioned and because of that it is best left to the viewer to establish their preferences in that respect.
I think I put enough disclaimers and caveats in the video to say that I’m not here to tell viewers what to get and that in the end it’s up to them to make up their own minds based on the sample photos provided. I also explained that this video was based on a sample of one of each lens and that it could also influence the results. So in that respect I’m sorry to hear you thought I was suggesting that sharpness is the sole factor by which to judge a lens because it wasn’t what I was trying to say.
Again, thanks for your thoughts and I will seriously consider your suggestion as to whether I should rename my series to “ephemeral bourgeois photography” ;-)
Cheers
@@PaulBawby But nooo! My sentence was a joke. I took a thought from Henry Cartier Bresson. I don't think your photography is "ephemeral and bourgeois" at all. You have done a very thorough and useful test. I have a friend who compared the 14-140 with the 12-35 and he asserts that the 14-140 wins. So I think Panasonic has made a miracle. I recently got the 12-60 Leica and I am very happy with it, but I am happier when I use the prime lenses. Maybe one day I will sell my 12-60 for the 14-140. Thanks. I'm sorry if I was misrepresented, but you are right in saying that photography has an objective and a subjective part. That's nice, otherwise it would just be numbers.
@@walterzannoni Hi Walter, my reply was also meant as a joke... sorry if it didn't come across as such... Joking by message is not as easy as it seems.
Have a nice day!
@@PaulBawby now I have both :D
somehow the 14-140mm looks better? i've been considering to upgrade from lumix 12-60 to leica 12-60, maybe i wont have to : P
Hi,
It's hard to definitively say based on a sample size on one lens of each because of quality variations, but I thought I should put it out there nonetheless and in general the reponse seems to confirm my observations.
This having been said, there is more to a lens than sharpness and other factors may be weighted differently by different individual when making a buying decision and I totally respect that.
Cheers
Well Ive never seen any review before that considers the 14-140 sharper than the leica 12-60
Hi Richard,
Well now you have ;-)
Seriously, like I mentioned we should keep in mind that this video was based on a totally random sample of just one of each lens...
If Panasonic or a generous viewer ;-) will kindly lend me PL 12-60mm I'll gladly redo a series of comparaison photos and if the results are different I'll make a second video.
Also we shouldn't forget that certain companies can have a significant quality variation among a production run of a lens.
Cheers
Leica is more detailed.
Use a Female Model for Test and Lecia Win!
Why
-10 C is hardly freezeproof.
I agree that is not my definition of freezeproof. But that information is according to the manufacturer's specs sheet and that is their definition of freezeproof. I thought it might interest potential buyers to know that what freezproof means in the eye of the manufacturer.
Cheers
@@PaulBawby I've observed that weather sealing is more important than being "freezeproof" (or whatever manufacturers think that might be). The thing that has killed lesser cameras, such as the poor Sony (which I still have somewhere), is condensing water when one comes back inside. The Sony died 3 times under warranty, and the last time they "fixed it", it came back as something that drains batteries really, really, really quickly, even when not in use. Another thing is the melting ice on my face and beard that drops straight on the camera if it is hanging on my neck. When it's -30 C outside, I use mechanical film cameras only because the batteries would die anyway. I know there are better modern ones than I have, but I'm not keen on using the top-of-the-line models because of their weight. My current "top" camera is the Leica SL2, which can handle any weather, but the body and its lenses are horribly heavy.
Currently, I'm looking for a 2nd hand MFT camera and 1-2 lenses for a more pocketable system when my back hurts too much to carry around the gear I would like to. I am still deciding which way to go, as there are too many choices in the MFT world. The exciting thing is that there are Leica-branded lenses (not made by Leica, obviously) for MFT cameras. Also, for MFT, I would finally get a 500-600mm equivalent lens for nature photos and still be able to haul the gear around. I don't have a car either, so it's all going on foot or by bicycle.
I'm not worried that MFT might not be around in the future, as I'm old enough to not be around either. Also, I always buy everything 2nd hand.
I've read about it before
www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4175659
I stumbled upon that thread while debating over whether to get the 12-35mm F2.8, I was going to get the 12-60mm PL instead since the prices are similar, I figured the Leica branded lens would be better. Reading that thread made me hesitant to get it. I ended up settling with the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8, very pleased with it.
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences on the subject. We all gain by sharing our knowledge with others and your comment will be helpful for me.
I'm glad I could be of some help in your decision process.
Cheers
@@HokKanI have the 14-140mm II and just acquired the f2.8 12-40mm Oly. The first is my favourite ‘just one lens’ / EDC lens but the latter is my favourite. Its rendering, sharpness and bokeh is in another league. It is a lens which has a magical quality and makes reality look better than it is. The 12-40mm F2.8 and the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 are my favourite MFT lenses optically.