Digital Camera World - UK (2021-03)

K i t Z o n e

130 DIGITAL CAMERA^ MARCH 2021 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

e’re big fans of Panasonic’s

70-200mm f/4 zoom,

which delivers superb

image quality and all-round

performance in a comparatively

compact, light and affordable package.

This f/2.8 lens is about 50 per cent

heavier and more expensive, as

you’d expect from faster glass.

Upgrades include a more advanced

optical stabiliser with switchable static

and panning modes, which combines

with Panasonic in-body stabilisers to

give up to seven-stop performance.

Performance

Autofocus is very fast and virtually

silent, and image quality is mostly

very good with highly attractive bokeh.

However, while centre-sharpness is

impressive, especially at shorter zoom

settings, edge- and corner-sharpness

is comparatively lacklustre, especially

in comparison with Panasonic’s

70-200mm f/4 lens.

igma’s long-running

70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS

HSM lens was a popular,

budget-friendly option

for Canon and Nikon shooters. The

replacement Sports edition is

completely redesigned, with a new

optical path that features 24 elements

in 22 groups, incorporating nine FLD

elements and one SLD element.

There’s also a well-rounded aperture

based on 11 diaphragm blades.

The new optical stabiliser has

switchable static and panning modes,

the latter working in landscape,

portrait and even diagonal orientation.

Performance

Sharpness and contrast are

spectacular, even when shooting

wide-open. Autofocus is rapid and

accurate and, while stabilisation isn’t

quite as effective as in the Tamron G2

lens for static shots, it proved better

for panning during our tests.

WS

Panasonic Lumix

S Pro 70-200mm

f/2.8 OIS

£2,599/$2,598

Panasonic’s larger 70-200mm

Lens mounts L-Mount

Sharpness

Centre sharpness is very

good, but there’s a big

drop-off towards the edges.

Sharpness

Close-range lab results don’t

look overly impressive, but

real-world shooting is superb.

Fringing

Short 0.11 Long 0.35

There’s virtually no visible

colour fringing.

Fringing

Short 1.31 Long 1.63

Levels are similar to those of

the competing DSLR lenses.

Distortion

Short -0.29 Long -0.16

Distortions are practically

eliminated after corrections.

Distortion

Short -0.55 Long 1.64

Barrel and pincushion

distortions are typically low.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

The S Pro 70-200mm

f/4 lens is so good that

the f/2.8 struggles

to beat it, although it

does have handling

enhancements and

that all-important

extra f-stop.

It’s bigger and heavier

than competing lenses,

but goes extra-large on

performance, matching

the Nikon F-mount lens

and edging ahead of

the Canon EF lens. It’s

also outstanding value.

BEST FOR

L-MOUNT

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

70mm 100mm

135mm 200mm

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

70mm 100mm

135mm 200mm

GOLD

AWARD

BEST FOR

CANON EF

BEST FOR

Sigma NIKON F

70-200mm f/2.8

DG OS HSM | S

£1,179/$1,379

A simply fabulous ‘Sports’ edition

Lens mounts Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma

4.0 Excellent 5.0 A best-in-class product

5.0 5.0

Features Features

4.0 5.0

Performance Performance

4.0 5.0

Value Value

4.5 5.0

Build &

handling

Build &

handling