Panasonic announces new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for L-mount cameras
(Image credit: Panasonic)
It's that time of year again; the CES 2023 announcements are coming thick and fast and Panasonic has started off the year with a bang. Hot off the heels of announcing two brand new cameras (more on that in a moment), the Lumix S5 II and Lumix S5X II, Panasonic has announced a brand new ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for L-Mount cameras – the Panasonic LUMIX 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO.
The new lens has a 14-28mm focal length, so is perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, street photography, and weddings. The lens is also capable of light macro photography, with a half macro (0.5x) magnification and a minimum focal distance of 5.9"/14.9cm. However, it isn't just a lens for stills photography, it also offers professional videography features with micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change and minimal focus breathing. At this focal length, the lens would make a great travel or vlogging lens.
Panasonic claims the lens motors enable smooth, quick, and silent operation and a 7-Bladed circular diaphragm will give nicely rendered bokeh. The lens is built with one aspherical ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) element, one aspherical element, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) elements, and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) element. A splash and dust-resistant build will ensure the lens can handle a spell of bad weather.
(Image credit: Panasonic)
After Panasonic has lagged behind in the autofocus race for some time, the lens features a new high-precision AF system that will work in tandem with the latest Hybrid Phrase Detection Auto-Focus just announced for Panasonic's brand-new camera systems – the LUMIX S5IIX and LUMIX S5II. Hybrid Phrase Detection Auto-Focus is a completely new autofocus system for Panasonic cameras and we can't wait to get our hands on it.
The Lumix S5II has a brand new 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, that all new Phase Hybrid Detect Auto-Focus, a new active image stabilization system, internal 6K30FPS or 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video, and 14-stops of dynamic range. The LUMIX S5IIX is the same as the base camera but features additional options for recording video in Apple ProRes and All-Intra formats.
The Panasonic Lumix 14-28mm f/4-5.6 MACRO will be available to preorder now, with delivery from February 2023. The lens is priced at $799.99 in the US, £699 in the UK and AU$1,499 in Australia.
Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.
