Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Mega OIS

The Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm F2.8-3.5 ASPH Mega OIS is an interchangeable camera lens announced by Panasonic on February 26, 2006.^[1] It was the first Leica lens with optical image stabilisation.^[2]

Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm F2.8-3.5 ASPH Mega OIS

Lens, with hood and Panasonic DMW-MA1 adapter for Micro Four Thirds cameras
Maker	Panasonic
Lens mount(s)	Four Thirds
Technical data
Type	Zoom
Focus drive	Micromotor
Focal length	14-50mm
Aperture (max/min)	f/2.8-3.5 ~ 22
Close focus distance	0.29 metres (0.95 ft)
Max. magnification	0.32
Diaphragm blades	7
Construction	16 elements in 12 groups
Features
Manual focus override	No
Weather-sealing	No
Lens-based stabilization	Yes
Aperture ring	Yes
Physical
Max. length	97.4 millimetres (3.83 in)
Diameter	78.1 millimetres (3.07 in)
Weight	490 grams (1.08 lb)
Filter diameter	72mm
History
Introduction	2006
References

History

Initially, the lens was sold bundled with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and the Leica Digilux 3 Four Thirds System digital single-lens reflex cameras.^[3]

Design

The lens uses 16 elements in 13 groups; two elements have aspherical surfaces. It is equipped with an aperture selection ring which is usable exclusively with the DMC-L1/Digilux 3 and DMC-L10 camera bodies.^[4]

There are some variations in lens markings, depending on which camera it was bundled with initially; engraved on the ring around the front element for the version bundled with the Panasonic DMC-L1, the brand ("LEICA") is by itself on one side, opposite the lens name and data ("D VARIO-ELMARIT 1:2.8–3.5/14-50 ASPH. Φ72"),^[5] while in the Digilux 3 bundle, the brand and name are grouped together ("LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT") with the lens data opposite ("1:2.8–3.5/14-50 ASPH. E72").^[6] Other variations in markings exist, including prominent "LUMIX" branding on the side of the Panasonic-bundled lens.

Reception

Popular Photography praised the lens' "superior sharpness and distortion control"^[7] while Camera Labs additionally emphasised the "superior build quality".^[8]

See also

Contemporaneous lenses with similar coverage:

• Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Mega OIS, slower speed but similar features
• Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5, similar coverage and speed