The best L-mount lenses in 2024: check out these best buys for your Panasonic, Sigma or Leica mirrorless camera

Best L-mount lenses
(Image credit: Panasonic)

It’s nice to share, especially if you’ve got the likes of Leica, Panasonic and Sigma in your corner. One of my biggest bugbears with interchangeable lens cameras is that, if I want to swap to a different make of camera body, I’ve generally got to change all of my lenses as well. It makes a refreshing change that full-frame cameras from different manufacturers, including the likes of the highly acclaimed Panasonic LUMIX S1R and Panasonic Lumix S5 II, the compact and quirky Sigma fp L and the exotic Leica SL3 (as well as the stablemates of all these camera bodies) use exactly the same mount.

The L-mount standard has its roots in Leica’s T-mount system, kicking off with the Leica T (Typ 701) APS-C format digital camera back in 2014. It grew into the L-mount with the subsequent launch of the Leica SL full-frame camera, with sub-categories of TL for APS-C format lenses and SL for full-frame. As is often the case, you can shoot with full-frame compatible lenses on APS-C bodies and get a 1.5x focal length multiplier (crop factor), and shoot with APS-C format lenses on full-frame cameras, which automatically switch to APS-C crop mode.

Matthew Richards
Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal printer reviewer – and has tested all the printers on this list. His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers, and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.

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FeaturesAdvanced features include a click/de-click aperture ring and two Fn buttons.★★★★★
DesignThe Mark II sheds a little weight while enhancing autofocus speed and quality.★★★★★
PerformanceFast and consistently accurate autofocus teams up with excellent image quality.★★★★★
ValueCompared with own-brand ‘trinity’ standard zooms, the Sigma Mark II is bargain.★★★★★
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FeaturesTop-end features include dual HLA autofocus motors for fast focusing.★★★★★
DesignThe clever design manages to shoehorn a super-fast f/1.2 aperture into a manageable package.★★★★★
PerformancePerformance is absolutely excellent in all respects.★★★★★
ValueIt’s an undeniably pricey lens but greatly undercuts most direct competitors.★★★★★
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FeaturesThere’s no aperture control ring but the lens does feature a customizable function button.★★★★
DesignIt’s quite compact and lightweight for a full-frame compatible f/2.8 ultra-wide zoom.★★★★★
PerformanceFrom fast autofocus to excellent image quality, the lens is a great performer.★★★★★
ValueIt’s pricier than Sigma’s companion 24-70mm f/2.8 standard zoom but still great value.★★★★★
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FeaturesSmart features include an aperture control ring and customizable AF-Hold button.★★★★★
DesignSigma did well to reduce the size and weight of the older DSLR lens, more in keeping with mirrorless cameras.★★★★★
PerformanceFrom fast autofocus to superb sharpness and wonderfully smooth bokeh, the lens is a top performer.★★★★★
ValueConsidering the build quality, image quality and all-round performance, it’s great value at the price.★★★★★
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Features14mm at f/1.4 is the key feature but there’s plenty of handling exotica to go with it.★★★★★
DesignThe design is necessarily large-scale but the design is excellent, right down to the filter slot at the rear.★★★★★
PerformancePerformance is absolutely stellar, from fast and consistently accurate autofocus to image quality.★★★★★
ValueThe lens is standout value, considering its large-diameter, high-precision glass elements.★★★★★
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FeaturesIt’s pretty basic but the lens does feature AF/MF and OIS on/off switches.★★★★
DesignPanasonic has done well to pack such a generous zoom range into such a compact lens.★★★★★
PerformancePerformance is very impressive for a superzoom lens although edge-sharpness could be better.★★★★
ValueIt’s great value at the price, especially as it can act as a substitute for two regular zoom lenses.★★★★★
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FeaturesIt’s a feature-packed lens with lots of fast-action switches for quick and easy adjustments.★★★★★
DesignThe design is very refined, tough and weather-sealed, but the tripod mounting ring can’t be removed.★★★★
PerformanceWith fast autofocus, effective optical stabilization and great image quality, it’s a star performer.★★★★★
ValueThe lens is incredibly great value at the price, given the cost of many super-telephoto lenses.★★★★★
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FeaturesIt’s very good but lacks the oversized macro magnification or optical image stabilization of some competitors.★★★★
DesignIt’s amazing that Panasonic has managed to shoehorn such an excellent macro lens into such a small build.★★★★★
PerformanceThe lens is able to resolve the finest of detail in macro shots and is useful as a short telephoto lens as well.★★★★★
ValueConsidering the lack of an optical stabilizer and a few handling extras, it’s not outstanding value.★★★★
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FeaturesIn keeping with the small size and competitive price, the feature set isn’t extravagant.★★★★
DesignAs I’d expect, the inner barrel extends at longer zoom settings but the lens remains compact.★★★★★
PerformanceThe wide-angle potential is a winner, especially as the lens deliver very good edge-to-edge sharpness.★★★★★
ValueAt only about half the price of many lenses in this guide, it’s quite the bargain.★★★★★
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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

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