The Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS Macro lens is a versatile telephoto zoom that combines exceptional image quality, powerful OIS stabilization, and impressive macro capabilities. This lens is equally suited for both photography and videography, offering excellent value for its price point. In this review, we’ll examine the lens’s features, performance, and real-world usage in detail.
📊 Detailed Specifications
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Lens Construction | 17 elements in 22 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 11 (Circular aperture) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5-5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Focal Length | 70-300mm |
| Min. Focus Distance | 0.54m (70mm) / 0.74m (300mm) |
| Max. Magnification | 0.5x (at 300mm) |
| Filter Size | 77mm |
| Weight | Approx. 790g |
| Dimensions | 84 x 148mm (max. diameter x length) |
| Mount | L-mount |
| Weather Sealing | Dust/Moisture/Freeze (-10°C) |
| Image Stabilization | OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) |
| AF Motor | Linear motor |
| Focus Mode Switch | Yes |
| Focus Limiter | Yes |
| OIS Switch | Yes |
| Zoom Lock Switch | Yes |
🎯 Target Users
The Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS Macro lens is ideal for:
- L-mount camera users
- Photographers seeking a high-quality telephoto zoom
- Wildlife, sports, and landscape photographers
- Users requiring macro capabilities
- Travel photographers wanting a lightweight telephoto
- Videographers needing a versatile zoom lens
📸 Outstanding Image Quality
The Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS Macro lens delivers excellent sharpness and contrast throughout its entire focal range. It maintains impressive image quality from 70mm to 300mm.
Center Sharpness
At 70mm, center sharpness is already excellent at maximum aperture f/4.5. Stopping down to f/5.6 and f/8 shows minimal improvement, indicating outstanding performance wide open. At 300mm, sharpness remains impressive at maximum aperture f/5.6, with slight improvements at f/8.
Corner Sharpness
Corner sharpness is generally very good. At 70mm, it’s quite sharp even at maximum aperture f/4.5, improving further at f/5.6. At 300mm, corners show good sharpness at maximum aperture f/5.6, with noticeable improvement when stopped down to f/8.
Chromatic Aberration Control
Chromatic aberration control is impressive. Even in high-contrast situations, color fringing is minimal, reducing the need for post-processing corrections.
🎥 Video Performance
This lens excels in video applications. Focus breathing is minimal, resulting in negligible changes in angle of view during focus transitions.
Smooth AF Transitions
The linear motor AF system enables smooth and quiet focus transitions during video recording. This is particularly valuable for interview and documentary shooting.
AF Noise
AF operation is virtually silent, making it ideal for recording with internal microphones as AF sounds are barely audible.
Image Stabilization Performance
The built-in OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) effectively reduces shake during video recording. When combined with camera body IBIS, it can achieve up to 5.5 stops of shake correction.
🏋️ Portability and Handling
At 790g with compact dimensions, this lens offers excellent portability. The weight distribution favors the rear of the lens, providing good balance when mounted on camera.
Ergonomic Design
The lens barrel features four switches (focus limiter, AF/MF, OIS, zoom lock) for quick setting adjustments. A thoughtful design detail includes a small protrusion next to the AF/MF switch, allowing tactile identification during shooting.
Zoom and Focus Ring Operation
Both zoom and focus rings offer smooth rotation with appropriate resistance for precise control. Manual focus operation provides comfortable handling.
Zoom Lock Feature
A zoom lock feature at 70mm prevents lens extension during transport.
🌊 Durability
This lens features dust, moisture, and freeze-resistant construction (-10°C), enabling confident use in various shooting conditions. A rubber seal at the lens mount prevents dust and moisture ingress at the camera interface.
Front Element Coating
The front element features fluorine coating to resist fingerprints and oil, making lens maintenance easier during outdoor shooting.
Internal Construction
Metal internal components maintain stable optical performance. Heavy components are positioned toward the rear for improved balance when mounted.
💰 Value for Money
At approximately $1,249, this lens offers competitive value considering its features and performance. The combination of macro capability, excellent image quality, and powerful OIS provides substantial value for the investment.
📸 Real-World Experience
🦅 Wildlife Photography
The 300mm focal length and 0.5x macro capability prove invaluable for wildlife photography. The lens provides sufficient reach for distant subjects while enabling close-up shots of insects and flowers.
🏞️ Landscape Photography
The 70-300mm range suits various landscape scenarios. Use 70mm for broader scenes and 300mm for distant details.
🌃 Low-Light Photography
Despite relatively modest maximum apertures, the powerful O.I.S. enables impressive low-light performance. The lens produces attractive light streaks, making it suitable for night photography.
🌸 Macro Photography
The 0.5x maximum magnification enables various macro opportunities. The 0.74m minimum focus distance at 300mm allows comfortable working distance for small subjects.
🔍 Competitive Comparison
| Model | Panasonic S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS Macro | Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS | Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM | Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | L-mount | E-mount | RF-mount | Z-mount | E-mount, L-mount |
| Focal Length | 70-300mm | 70-300mm | 100-400mm | 70-200mm | 100-400mm |
| Max Aperture | f/4.5-5.6 | f/4.5-5.6 | f/5.6-8 | f/2.8 | f/5-6.3 |
| Min Focus | 0.54m (70mm) / 0.74m (300mm) | 0.9m | 0.88m | 0.5m | 1.12m |
| Max Mag. | 0.5x | 0.31x | 0.41x | 0.21x | 0.24x |
| Weight | 790g | 854g | 635g | 1440g | 1135g |
| Stabilization | OIS (5.5 stops) | OSS | IS (5.5 stops) | VR (5.5 stops) | OS |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price (Approx) | $1,249 | $1,198 | $649 | $2,296 | $949 |
🏁 Conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS Macro lens represents an attractive option for L-mount users, offering versatile performance, excellent image quality, and reasonable pricing.
Advantages
- Outstanding image quality
- Powerful OIS system
- Excellent macro capabilities
- Minimal focus breathing
- Robust build quality
Disadvantages
- No teleconverter compatibility
- AF tracking limitations in some situations
This lens proves ideal for wildlife, sports, landscape, macro, and various other photographic and videographic genres. It particularly excels when paired with cameras like the Panasonic Lumix S5.
Considering its price-to-performance ratio, the Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS Macro lens is highly competitive within the L-mount system. It comes highly recommended for users seeking an all-around lens capable of handling diverse shooting situations.
Overall, this lens sets a new standard in the L-mount system. Combining the advantages of a high-performance telephoto zoom with macro lens capabilities, it serves as a powerful tool capable of flexibly adapting to various shooting scenarios.
