Creating a lens range to appeal to both videographers and photographers is a challenging prospect, but so far Panasonic has been delivering. The company embarked on creating a range of full-frame L-mount fast primes in late 2020, starting with the Lumix S 85mm F1.8. Since then it’s been followed up by 50mm, 24mm and a 35mm optics, all with an f/1.8 aperture and sharing the same length, diameter and 67mm filter thread. Now they’re joined by the £799 Lumix S 18mm F1.8.
The uniform design of this family of lenses makes them ideal for people who plan to mount them on gimbals. Of the range, fitting the requisite glass for an 18mm ultra-wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture into such a compact and light configuration is perhaps the most impressive feat technically.
Comparing this lens to its closest competitors makes the point clearly. Sigma’s 20mm F2 DG DN lens costs £150 less,
