Panasonic announces the LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S
Image courtesy: Panasonic

We’re getting a new L-mount interchangeable telephoto lens from Panasonic. The new lens is the LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S.

Designed for the LUMIX S Series mirrorless camera, Panasonic says the LUMIX S 70-300mm comes with high description performance and beautiful bokeh throughout its zoom range. Additionally, Panasonic is confident the lens provides high-speed, high-precision AF and Dual Image stabilization. The lens fits well in gear kits for sports, animal, portrait and vehicle shooting.

Overview

The LUMIX S 70-300mm telephoto lens consists of seventeen lens elements in eleven groups, including one ultra extra-low dispersion lens. Also, the lens houses two extra-low dispersion lenses and one ultra-high dispersion lens. Together, the elements suppress axial chromatic aberration at tele-end and wide-end.

“The UHR lens achieves uniform image quality from the center to the edges of the image, while contributing to an overall smaller configuration of the lens unit,” Panasonic writes.

Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S
Image courtesy: Panasonic

As for focusing, the telephoto lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.54m. At maximum magnification, it achieves a magnification of 0.5x (at 300mm). Additionally, its 11-bladed iris diaphragm allows for rounded bokeh for unfocused lights. Also, Panasonic claims its minimized the lens’s focus breathing.

Stabilization

The lens features the Optical Image Stabilizer and the Body IS in the LUMIX S Series camera. Its Dual IS system compensates for handshake, a common problem when shooting with a telephoto lens. The Dial IS users to use a 5.5-stop shutter speed. The focus control looks to deliver fast AF with a maximum 480 fps sensor drive.

Build

Though it’s a telephoto lens, Panasonic promises the lens is both lightweight and portable. Also important is its durability. Panasonic built the lens with a rugged, dust and splash-resistant design. Also, it can withstand temperatures as low as 14°F / -10°C and comes with a fluorine coating on the front element to repel water and oil.

Pricing and availability

The LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. will ship in April for $1249 in L-Mount.