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70-200: Sigma vs Panasonic

Almizilero

By Almizilero
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Almizilero

Almizilero

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Did anyone get the chance or take the time to test the new Sigma 70-200/2.8 against the Panasonic?

I used the Panasonic for a short while and was utterly impressed by the build and image quality as well as AF performance. But with the Samyang 35-150 on the horizon I decided not to keep it. Now I tried two copies of the Samyang and sadly, the sharpness wide open is lacking and the AF is terrible, especially in low light. I shot one performance with it. Luckily, the results are OK for the intended Social Media use, but I was quite horrified by the amount of missed focus shots.

Long story short, since the Samyang is a far cry from the Tamron 35-150 I used in my Sony days, I have to look at a 70-200 again. As I said, the Panasonic was excellent, so I could just get that. But with Sigma, there is a much lauded new competitor. As the Sigma costs about as much new as the Panasonic does used, I wonder which one to get.

Everyone online is raving about the Sigma and the Panasonic seems to have flown under the radar, so I couldn't find any comparison between the two.

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Virob

Virob

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Something to consider when pairing a Leica SL camera with either a Panasonic or Sigma 70-200. The Panasonic gives you the manual focus lens clutch but will not back button focus, which is only possible with the Sigma. For some people, ability to back button focus is a deal breaker.

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Almizilero

Almizilero

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Thank you! I had a love/hate relationship with the clutch and never got my muscle memory to adapt back button focus, so those are not really deal breakers.

I found one (german) video from a rather trusted creator that actually tested them both on L-Mount and their conclusion was: Image quality might be a teeny tiny bit better on the Panasonics (both the F/2.8 and F/4 versions at corresponding apertures), but the Sigma got their recommendation anyways, as they thought it to be the better deal, all things considered.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear 🤣 

I feel I can't go wrong with a used Panasonic (if I can test it properly), but regarding everybody and their aunt raving that the Sigma is the best telezoom ever and the weight difference is something to consider as well, it is still a strong contender.

 

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Geoff C. Bassett

Geoff C. Bassett

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On 8/20/2024 at 7:00 AM, Almizilero said:

Thank you! I had a love/hate relationship with the clutch and never got my muscle memory to adapt back button focus, so those are not really deal breakers.

I found one (german) video from a rather trusted creator that actually tested them both on L-Mount and their conclusion was: Image quality might be a teeny tiny bit better on the Panasonics (both the F/2.8 and F/4 versions at corresponding apertures), but the Sigma got their recommendation anyways, as they thought it to be the better deal, all things considered.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear 🤣 

I feel I can't go wrong with a used Panasonic (if I can test it properly), but regarding everybody and their aunt raving that the Sigma is the best telezoom ever and the weight difference is something to consider as well, it is still a strong contender.

 

I've had the Panasonic 70-200 & Leica 90-280. I prefer the Sigma 70-200 over both. Image quality is outstanding, focus is fast, and it's cheaper and lighter. 

Only negative is I wish the zoom operated the other direction, as it throws me off sometimes.

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Virob

Virob

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BBF will not work with Panasonic S Pro lenses with the focus clutch, 16-35, 24-70, both 70-200s and 50/1.4. It will work with Panasonic lenses that have the more common MF/AF switch.

it is a bit ironic that the S pro lenses are the ones stamped “certified by Leica” but are the ones not fully compatible with SL cameras.

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Archiver

Archiver

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On 8/19/2024 at 12:55 AM, Almizilero said:

I used the Panasonic for a short while and was utterly impressed by the build and image quality as well as AF performance. But with the Samyang 35-150 on the horizon I decided not to keep it. Now I tried two copies of the Samyang and sadly, the sharpness wide open is lacking and the AF is terrible, especially in low light. I shot one performance with it. Luckily, the results are OK for the intended Social Media use, but I was quite horrified by the amount of missed focus shots.

Long story short, since the Samyang is a far cry from the Tamron 35-150 I used in my Sony days, I have to look at a 70-200 again.

It's good to read user reports of the Samyang before buying it, or I would have been out a lot of money. Fast and accurate autofocus is essential for my intended uses (sports in low light), so this rules out the Samyang. I'll take a good look at the Sigma 70-200.

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Almizilero

Almizilero

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Am 26.8.2024 um 13:24 schrieb Archiver:

It's good to read user reports of the Samyang before buying it, or I would have been out a lot of money. Fast and accurate autofocus is essential for my intended uses (sports in low light), so this rules out the Samyang. I'll take a good look at the Sigma 70-200.

From what I could find from others, they share my experience. The AF of the Samyang isn't great. Which is a shame, since the focal range would be perfect for me and I loved the Tamron on Sony.

I now tested a Sigma 70-200 and it's great. AF works flawlessly and fast, images are sharp at all focal length and pretty much (almost) from corner to corner. I can only compare from memory, but it should be at least on par with the Panasonic. The 90 APO still produces "better" images  (no surprise), but as a workhorse, the Sigma is fantastic. While there is nothing to dislike about the image quality, there are some minor things that I don't like:

  • The handling is something I need to get used to, the focal length ring on the front feels a bit akward to hold. I constantly tried to adjust focal length by twisting the wrong ring.
  • I don't know why they couldn't use a standard removable tripod ring. You can only unscrew the tripod foot, the ring itself with its knob cannot be removed.
  • I still have to carry a second camera with a 35.

Overall, I liked the handling of the Panasonic better, but I don't think I'd want the buy a used Panny when I can get a new Sigma for the same price.

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jaapv

jaapv

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On 8/27/2024 at 3:43 PM, Almizilero said:

From what I could find from others, they share my experience. The AF of the Samyang isn't great. Which is a shame, since the focal range would be perfect for me and I loved the Tamron on Sony.

I now tested a Sigma 70-200 and it's great. AF works flawlessly and fast, images are sharp at all focal length and pretty much (almost) from corner to corner. I can only compare from memory, but it should be at least on par with the Panasonic. The 90 APO still produces "better" images  (no surprise), but as a workhorse, the Sigma is fantastic. While there is nothing to dislike about the image quality, there are some minor things that I don't like:

  • The handling is something I need to get used to, the focal length ring on the front feels a bit akward to hold. I constantly tried to adjust focal length by twisting the wrong ring.
  • I don't know why they couldn't use a standard removable tripod ring. You can only unscrew the tripod foot, the ring itself with its knob cannot be removed.
  • I still have to carry a second camera with a 35.

Overall, I liked the handling of the Panasonic better, but I don't think I'd want the buy a used Panny when I can get a new Sigma for the same price.

Replacing the lens hood transforms the handling of the zoom ring. 

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Ning Ning

Ning Ning

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vor 3 Stunden schrieb gammarART:

Seems Leica will announce a new SL 70-200 based on the Panasonic within the next days:

https://leicarumors.com/2024/09/03/new-leica-vario-elmarit-sl-70-200-f-2-8-asph-lens-and-extender-l-2-0x-to-be-announced-soon.aspx/

Look at the position of the zoom and the focus ring. My guess is therefore that it will be the Sigma.

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Ning Ning

Ning Ning

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Well, the Sigma has the zoom ring at the front, while the Panasonic has the zoom ring behind the focus ring. And that's how I see it in the photo from Leica Rumors. Of course, I don't know if it's possible to change the design just like that without affecting the lens design. But anyway, we'll see in a few days.

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