With the world starting to slowing open up again, Panasonic has just in time unveiled a versatile new zoom lens for the Leica L-mount system. The Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is on first look, a standard zoom lens for full-frame cameras that combines the variable aperture found in more affordable lenses but the difference with this lens is it comes with some professional-grade features like weather sealing and specialized lens elements.
Inside the lens are 11 elements divided into 9 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 3 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) elements to tackle chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and distortion. The lens also features an Ultra-High Refractive Index (UHR) element, allowing Panasonic to make the 20-60mm lens smaller without sacrificing image quality.
According to Panasonic, all of this together allegedly achieves “uniform image quality from the center to edges of the image,” while providing a minimum focus distance of just 5.9 inches (0.15m), maximum magnification of 0.49x, and weighing in at just 12.3 oz (350g).
Finally, in addition to the optical construction mentioned above, the new lens boasts of a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm, is dust and splash resistant, can handle temperatures down to -10°C, and uses a fluorine-coated front element to repel water and oil.
The Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens will start shipping at the end of July, but is available for pre-order for just under $600.
