Lens ReviewMorten Byskov - 5050 TravelogOctober 15, 2025Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 review, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 sample images, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 samples, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 sample photos, Panasonic 35mm f18 review, Panasonic 35mm review, Lumix 35mm 1.8 sample images, Lumix 35mm 1.8 review2 Comments

Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 Review

Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 and Leica SL2-S

The Lumix Standard Wide 35mm Lens

In the L-Mount Alliance, we have quite a few choices when it comes to 35mm lenses, especially considering the increasing number of manufacturers entering the alliance.

There are primarily five contenders on my radar for autofocus options, and I won’t get into the many options when we talk about manual focus lenses.

Lately, Sigma introduced the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG Art II, $1,549.00, which is getting a lot of buzz. They also have the f/1.4 version for $989.00 and the f/2 Contemporary version, which costs $719.00.

Leica offers the Summicon-SL 35mm f/2, priced at $2,565.00, which is heavily based on the lens I am reviewing here today. Many sources state that the Leica lens is a Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 housed in a more premium body and perhaps with different lens coatings.

In the following, I will share my take on the Lumix 35mm f/1.8 version and, in the conclusion, draw comparisons to the lenses mentioned above.

Introduction

The Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 was released about four years ago, in November 2021. It is part of a series of f/1.8 primes from Panasonic, which includes focal lengths of 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm.

The f/1.8 lenses are similar in size and weight, and all share a 67mm filter thread. This similarity can be beneficial, especially when working with video and balancing lenses on a gimbal.

Panasonic Canada provided the lens for this review. They had no say, input, or narrative in the review. The opinions expressed are mine, and mine only. The lens was returned to Panasonic after the review period had ended.

At the time this review was posted, the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 retailed for $697.99 (on sale with a $50 rebate).

T. Kilby Hotel and General Store. Black and white photo. Sample image from a Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 and Leica SL2-S — Kilby Historic Site, BC, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 @ f/8

Handling, Specs, and Build Quality

I already have reviews on my site of the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 and Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8, so there were no surprises picking up the 35mm f/1.8, aside from the petal-shaped hood.

These f/1.8 lenses from Panasonic feel almost identical and look virtually the same. Luckily, this is not a bad trait, as I’ve come to appreciate how they handle. The rubberized focus rings provide a good grip, and while the lenses are lightweight, they still feel quite premium once mounted on the camera.

In the case of the Lumix S 35mm f/1.8, the lens weighs 10.4 oz (295 g), and it’s a breeze to carry. Nor is it proportionally too big for the cameras I tested it with (Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S1R, and S1 II).

The lens design consists of 11 elements in 9 groups (3 aspherical and 3 ED elements, with 9 rounded aperture blades.

The Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 on the Lumix S1R — Panasonic Lumix S1R, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8

In Action

Autofocus speed on all three cameras is plenty fast for the photos you see in this review. Arguably, I did not test for quick action or video, but the Lumix lenses are well known for good autofocus performance for video.

The two most essential attributes in this lens for me are how well it handles at such a low weight, and the excellent compatibility with all the cameras I used. From time to time, I have encountered less-than-desirable autofocus performance on my Leica SL2-S with specific Sigma lenses.

It would be wonderful if the lens had an aperture ring, but you quickly get used to making changes with a command dial on the camera.

Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog, testing and reviewing the Panasonic Lumix S1 II, and Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 — Yours truly, testing the Panasonic Lumix S1 II, and Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 in Steveston, BC
Photo by: Kevin Kwong

Image Quality

While I was mostly pleased with the image quality from the Lumix S 35mm f/1.8, I was more impressed with my results using the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 and Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8.

Perhaps the longer 50mm and 85mm focal length lenses are easier to produce, and maybe I tend to get carried away over swoonworthy bokeh. I have also used the 50mm and 85mm lenses for a longer period, allowing me more time to create higher-quality sample images.

Please click on the sample images to view them in sizes up to 2500 pixels, depending on your monitor size. You can also pinch-zoom if you use a mobile phone.

A big maple leaf in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Sample image from a Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 and Panasonic Lumix S1R. — Stanlay Park, Vancouver, Panasonic Lumix S1R, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8

Conclusion

In my opening paragraph, I mentioned five 35mm options. I have flirted with the idea of a used Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ($1500-1700.00) and have seen excellent sample images from other reviewers/photographers, especially from Danish photographer Bo Helsted, captured with his Panasonic Lumix S1R II. You can check his Flickr page via the link.

However, the Leica lens is still costly, and I am not sure you get that much more compared to the Lumix version.

The new Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG Art II looks impressive, but perhaps f/1.2 is more than most of us need, making it a larger and heavier lens, weighing 26.6 oz (755 g). At least it is smaller and lighter than its predecessor.

A classic Pontiac in a driveway. Sample image from a Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 and Leica SL2-S. — Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 @ f/5.6

I reviewed the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN last year, and while it is a good lens, the image quality did not blow my socks off. I love the size, the feel, and the aperture ring.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art could be a dark horse in this group due to its value proposition and fast f-stop. It’s on sale in Canada as I type this for CAD $1,099.00 (approx. USD $785.00), so keep an eye out for deals, but be prepared for more bulk and weight.

So, where does this leave the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8? It delivers image quality supposedly very close to the Leica 35mm Summicron-SL f/2 version, at under half the weight of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art and almost half the cost of the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG Art II. I’d say this is not a bad position to be in.

Your preference for features such as having an aperture ring, compactness, and cost could sway you towards any of these five options. I know I am torn, if I were to pick one of them in a split second.

Please see more sample images below.

Pros

Lightweight
Fast autofocus
Weather-sealed

Cons

Not as good image quality as the 50mm or 85mm versions

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 - B&H Photo

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