Panasonic has just unveiled a versatile new zoom lens for the L-mount system. The Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is a standard zoom lens for full-frame cameras that combines the variable aperture found in more affordable glass with some professional-grade features like weather sealing and specialized lens elements.
If you look at only the lens name, you might see this as a re-think of the classic 18-55mm kit lens that Nikon and Canon have been releasing for their DSLRs for ages. But Panasonic promises that this lens is “designed for professional use.”
Inside, you’ll find 11 elements in 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.
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 Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 boasts a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm, is dust and splash resistant, can handle temperatures down to 14°F (-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 ship “at the end of July,” but you can already pre-order it today for just under $600 MSPR.