Panasonic Announces a New Compact and Lightweight Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens with Macro Capability
Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new cost-effective ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO based on the L-Mount system. The LUMIX S Series offers three budget-friendly lenses including the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO (S-R1428), LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 (S-R2060) and LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. (S-R70300) to cover 14mm ultra wide-angle to 300mm telephoto. All of these lenses achieve high optical performance and stunning mobility fit to LUMIX S5 series cameras for both photo and video.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO is comprised of 14 lens elements in 10 groups including one aspherical ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, one aspherical lens, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens. The use of aspherical lenses realizes both high descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh. The three ED lenses effectively suppress chromatic aberration. Despite its compact size and approximately 345g of light weight, the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO boasts 0.25 (at 14mm) – 0.5x (at 28mm) macro capability. Taking advantage of the minimum focusing distance of 0.15m at entire zoom range, it can be used for close-up shots with beautiful bokeh. It is suitable for versatile situations including sweeping landscape shots in ultra-wide-angle of view.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO is capable of smooth, silent operation to work with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision AF system with the sensor drive at max.240 fps. For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring. Focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring for the linear setting. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees to enable intended focus operation.1 The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Together with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, professional quality video can be recorded.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO and LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lens feature a common overall length and position of control parts to provide practical advantages in use. The weight and the center of the gravity of these lenses is similar, making it easy to exchange lenses quickly with minimum balance adjustment when the camera is on a gimbal.
The rugged dust/splash-resistant2 design withstands use under harsh conditions even at -10° Celsius for high mobility. A fluorine coating is applied to the front lens element to secure water/oil-repellency. An ND/PL filter with 77mm diameter can be attached.
Panasonic and L-Mount system alliance is committed to the development of L-Mount lenses for the further expansion of its lineup to fulfill the needs of customers.
The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO will be available at valued channel partners for $799.99 at the end of March.
1. The maximum sensitivity differs by camera model, up to 1080 degrees on S5II, S5IIX and BS1H (as of January 2023).
2. Dust and Splash Resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water.
