Lens ReviewMorten Byskov - 5050 TravelogNovember 10, 2026Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 review, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 sample images, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 sample photos, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 image quality, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 build quality, Panasonic 40mm review, Panasonic 40mm f2 review, Lumix 40mm review, Lumix S 40mm review, Lumix 40mm f2 reviewComment

Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 Review

The Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 and Leica SL2-S — Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 and Leica SL2-S

Panasonic Is Going Lightweight and Portable With the Lumix S 40mm f/2

The Panasonic community has long called for more portable prime lenses, especially since the Panasonic Lumix S9 launched in 2024.

Panasonic did release the questionable Lumix S 26mm f/8 lens, which is manual focus only, but also the excellent Lumix S 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3, which I reviewed here. The 18-40mm got more traffic on my site than I expected. I think it’s safe to say there is an appetite for portable lenses in the market.

I came to the Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 from a slightly different angle. While most users of this lens may have portable cameras, I have the bulkier, heavier Leica SL2-S, and my goal with the Lumix 40mm f/2 is primarily to reduce the overall weight of my kit with a lens that is good enough in a variety of situations.

Let’s see if the Lumix S 40mm f/2 met expectations.

Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 and Leica SL2-S

Introduction

The Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 was announced in April 2026 and started shipping the following June. I tiptoed around my decision to get one, and when I was finally ready, in late summer, it was hard to find in stock.

On a whim, I called a local shop last month; they had just received one copy, and I grabbed it.

Panasonic has now also announced a Lumix 20mm f/2.5, $497.00, a further testament to its commitment to portable and more lightweight lenses.

When I posted this review, the Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 retailed for $397.99.

Morning walk along the Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver at English Bay. Sample image from Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2. — English Bay, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 @ f/2

Handling, Specs, and Build Quality

Aside from the fact that you can take decent photos with this lens, the single most important feature for me with the Lumix S 40mm f/2 is its insanely low weight: 5.1 oz./144 g.

This makes it, by far, the most compact, portable, and lightweight autofocus lens for my Leica SL2-S. It gives the SL2-S a whole new feel in your hands.

I have tried several f/1.8 lenses from Panasonic, and while the build quality feels okay with the 40mm f/2, it falls slightly behind the f/1.8 lenses. It’s very close, though, but the rubberized focus rings on the f/1.8 lenses feel more premium than the plastic on the 40mm f/2.

The Lumix S 40mm f/2 still has a metal mount and is weather-resistant. You also have a custom function button on the lens barrel, as well as the AF/MF switch. Manual focus is well-damped and feels okay to me.

While the f/1.8 lenses in the Lumix lineup take 67mm filters, the 40mm f/2 takes 62mm filters. Consider a 62-67 mm step-up ring if you have a few 67 mm filters.

The Lumix S 40mm f/2 has 7 circular aperture blades, and the minimum focusing distance is 11.8”

In Action

Suddenly, my SL2-S feels like a more manageable camera to lug around for a quick walk around the hood or for cycling with the camera. For travel, this would also be an asset, especially combined with the 40mm focal lengh which I find very versatile.

I had a couple of old 62mm lens hoods kicking around that I have been using on my Fujifilm lenses (see the photos above).

They’ve come in handy. The vented hood has a double function. Not only does it provide some shade, but it also improves the lens's ergonomics, as you can rest your fingers between the hood and the lens.

The straight hood helps on rainy days this time of year and looks pretty stealthy and minimalist with the lens and SL2-S.

Autofocus is fast enough for the types of photos in this review and completely silent.

A paddle board at Howe Sound, BC. Sample image from Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2. — Howe Sound, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 @ f/10

Image Quality

The image quality from the Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 met my expectations, but I find lenses like the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 and Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 slightly better overall.

I expected the Lumix S 40mm f/2 to deliver results similar to what I have seen from the Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 and Sony FE 40mm f/2.5, and I’d say it met those expectations.

As a rule of thumb, a lens will deliver better results the more you stop it down, with sharper images corner to corner. However, for me, the Lumix S 40mm f/2 shines wide open, and as you will see, most of the sample images in this review were shot wide open at f/2.

At f/2, images are still sharp and, at times, show more character, almost like vintage lenses, while I find images stopped down less appealing or perhaps not as special. I like the colors this lens produces, and I find it plays well with my Leica SL2-S.

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

Evening in Vancouver's West End. Sample image from Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2. — West End, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 @ f/2

Conclusion

I believe the Lumix S 40mm f/2 is the seventh 40mm or 40mm-equivalent lens I have tested. For sheer image quality, I prefer Voigtländer options, but keep in mind these are manual-focus only and often cost more.

The Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 costs more, has better build quality, and has an aperture ring, while the Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 feels similar to the Panasonic lens and costs less. These two options mean little if you own an L-Mount camera. Viltrox and TTArtisan also have 40mm options, which I haven’t tried yet.

Because of the close collaboration between Leica and Panasonic, I mostly trust Panasonic for autofocus lenses on my SL2-S, followed by Sigma.

I managed to get a few images with the new 45-megapixel Leica SL3-P at a demo event, and I wish I could have kept going, as the combo with the Lumix 40mm f/2 showed promising potential. It appears the 40mm f/2 can keep up with higher-megapixel sensors.

I also noticed a few YouTube reviews where the photographer paired the Panasonic S1 II or S1R II in ways that made a more manageable camera/lens combination for everyday carry.

To me, the Lumix 40mm f/2 seems a worthy companion to my SL2-S, and I am sure it will excel on other cameras as well. I would not mind having this on a smaller L-Mount camera as well, such as the Sigma FP 2 or BF.

I will wrap up with this prediction: If Panasonic ever releases the mythical S9 II with an EVF, better build quality, and a mechanical shutter, the Lumix S 40mm f/2 will sell like hotcakes.

Please see more sample images below.

Pros

Lightweight
Small footprint
Weather-resistant

Cons

Image quality is perhaps not as good as Panasonic’s f/1.8 lenses

Price and 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, helping us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Panasonic Lumix S 40mm f/2 - B&H Photo

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