Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II Power OIS review

The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II Power OIS is essentially a ‘trinity’ telephoto zoom for the MFT system.

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II Power OIS
(Image: © Panasonic)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The 2x crop factor of Micro Four Thirds cameras really plays into your hands when you want good telephoto reach from a compact and lightweight lens. This Panasonic is a perfect example. It effectively gives you the classic combination of a 70-200mm zoom range (in full-frame terms) with a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, but in a relatively tiny build. Handling is rather basic compared with most full-frame 70-200mm lenses but overall performance and image quality make it a good buy at the price.

Pros

  • +

    Quick and virtually silent AF

  • +

    Optical image stabilization

  • +

    Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • -

    Lacks handling refinements

  • -

    Bokeh of mediocre quality

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A 70-200mm f/2.8 is often cited as the most essential zoom lens, even by photographers who generally prefer to shoot with primes. The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II Power OIS plugs this gap in the Micro Four Thirds lens line-up, the 2x crop factor giving it the same ‘effective’ zoom range coupled with a constant f/2.8 aperture rating. It therefore aims to cover many shooting requirements, from event and wedding photography to action sports and wildlife.

Specifications

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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.