When we look at the specifications of a lens while shortlisting, we look at a series of features. We carefully scrutinize the lens’s specifications to determine whether it has everything we need to shoot great videos. The top traits we look for when shooting videos are image stabilization, fast aperture, stepping motor-powered smooth autofocusing, a fixed aperture across the focal length, and superb handling.
Build quality, weather sealing, and the presence of multi-layer coating are some of the additional features we look for. Over the course of my research and my experience using these lenses, I have come across these ten lenses, which I feel are the best Lumix lens for video shooting.
Related Post: Best Nikon Lenses for Videography
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The Best Lumix Lenses for Video
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II POWER O.I.S.
Features
- This is a weather-sealed design
- Superb suppression of color fringing
- Nano surface coating ensures flares and ghosting are suppressed
- Image stabilization
Designed for the micro four-thirds mount camera system, the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II POWER OIS. is a superb lens for shooting everything from portraits to weddings to fashion shots and everything in between. The crop factor of micro-four thirds system cameras makes the effective focal length 70-200mm on a 35mm format equivalent.
The lens consists of 18 elements arranged in 13 groups. The construction includes two extra-low dispersion elements and one ultra extra-low dispersion element. Together, these elements suppress chromatic aberrations and color fringing. This is particularly useful when working in difficult lighting conditions and when the scene has a lot of contrast.
Nano crystal coating has also been used in the lens to ensure ghosting and flares are suppressed, improving contrast and color accuracy.
One of the critical features of the lens is that it has a fixed aperture across the focal length. That means when you’re using the lens and zooming in and out, there aren’t going to be any changes in the lens’s aperture, and therefore no visual jerks in terms of the exposure changing suddenly.
The lens features POWER optical image stabilization, a technology compatible with Dual IS This ensures super steady shots even when shooting handheld with the lens mounted on an M43 camera. Power image stabilization offers up to three stops of stabilization.
Autofocusing on the camera is powered by a linear autofocusing motor that offers almost silent AF performance. If you’re shooting videos with this lens, you will find this to your advantage, as the lens is very quiet when AF is engaged. Focusing is internal, and the lens’s front element does not rotate when focusing.
The manual focusing ring is smooth. However, it must be mentioned that there is an electronic connection between the manual focusing ring and the focusing motor. Despite that, the connection is very smooth.
For such a compact design, the lens is feature packed. The lens comes with weather sealing as well. This gives the lens the capability to perform in any weather conditions. You can take it with you in inclement weather, rain, and snowy conditions, and the lens will function without any issues.
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Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH.
Features
- This is a standard prime in terms of the effective focal length
- Offers a fast f/1.7 maximum aperture
- Compact design with a metal mount
This discussion of the best Lumix lenses for videography would be incomplete without referencing the Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH. This is an inexpensive standard prime designed for the micro four-thirds camera system. The system comes with a fast aperture of f/1.7, which is valuable for shooting videos. This allows you to blur out the background and capture a shallow depth of field – the cinematic effect that every videographer attempts to achieve.
The construction of the lens includes eight elements arranged in seven groups that consist of an ultra-high refractive index and two aspherical elements that reduce the spherical aberrations and other distortions. This also has the result of excellent edge-to-edge sharpness. The lens also incorporates nano surface coating that suppresses ghosting and flares.
Autofocusing on the lens is powered by a stepping motor mechanism – this is a much smoother autofocusing mechanism. This ensures that the lens is perfectly suitable for shooting videos. This mechanism is also compatible with Lumix’s high-speed contrast detection autofocusing, available on Panasonic cameras.
Autofocusing performance is fast; on some camera systems, A.F. is very smooth. The lens’s focusing is internal, and the front element does not rotate when the lens is autofocusing.
Manual focusing on the lens uses the focus by wire mechanism. The manual focusing mechanism feels natural, and the focus ring turn is appropriate.
This is a well-made lens, even though most of the construction is plastic. The lens mount, however, is made of metal. Please note that the lens design does not have any weather sealing built-in. If you’re going to take this lens outdoors, you should ensure that the lens does not get exposed to the elements.
Let’s quickly talk about the performance of the lens. Chromatic aberrations are present to an extent. We can see some purple and blue fringing in the corners. Similarly, vignetting is also present, especially when shooting at f/1.7. Vignetting seems to go away when the aperture is dropped down to f/2.8.
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
Features
- Standard 24-70mm focal length on a 35mm format
- The maximum aperture is f/2.8 across the focal length
- Weather sealed design
The lens’s maximum aperture is f/2.8 which means the aperture is constant across the focal length.
The construction of the lens is outstanding. It’s constructed of metal and comes with a metal mount. The system consists of 14 elements arranged in 9 groups.
The lens’s construction includes four aspherical elements that allow the lens to suppress spherical aberrations quickly. Additionally, the lens also features a UED component and one UHR element. Together, these elements ensure that the lens can stop the effects of chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
We love the stepper motor-powered autofocusing mechanism of this lens. The stepper motor is slower yet smoother than the standard USM autofocusing motors. This allows for smooth autofocusing.
The autofocusing performance of the lens is very quiet. The focusing system is internal, meaning the barrel length does not extend when the lens focuses. Also, the front element does not rotate, so if you’re using a circular polarizer or a grad ND filter, your filter will not rotate.
Additionally, manual focusing is powered by a focus by wire technology. There is no mechanical gear engagement which is what we like most. Manual focusing is precise.
One thing to be noted is that the lens’s barrel length extends when zooming.
Weather sealing ensures you can use this lens in all climates and working conditions. Seals around strategic parts of the lens make it immune to the effects of Mother Nature’s many elements. If you’re planning a shoot in inclement weather, this is a lens that you can count on.
Additionally, the lens also features Panasonic’s OIS mechanism. This system ensures that the lens can be handheld most of the time, and great sharp photos can be captured regardless. The system is compatible with Dual IS and Dual IS 2-equipped camera systems.
Performance wise we have seen some chromatic aberrations that are seen as purple and blue fringing, especially around the edges of the frame. However, this isn’t a big issue as it can be corrected during post-processing.
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S.
Features
- 35mm format equivalent focal length of 28-84mm
This pancake lens offers a focal length of 14-42mm, which translates to a 35mm format equivalent of 24-84mm. This is a compact lens that offers a focal length that’s perfect for everyday photography moments. Plus, this lens is also suitable for video shooting. The only thing that works against the lens is the variable aperture that produces a visual jerk in terms of light drop when the aperture changes as you zoom in and out.
The construction of the lens consists of 9 elements arranged in 8 groups. This includes two E.D. lens elements that ensure that the lens can shoot cleaner images with little trace of chromatic aberrations (CA) and greater color accuracy. Nano surface coating has also been used to prevent the lens from getting affected by lens flare and ghosting.
Autofocusing is super silent and works during movie shooting. This is useful for people using this lens primarily for video shoots. The lens is compact and, therefore, ideal for travel.
The lens also features image stabilization, further optimizing it for videography.
The optical performance of the lens is very satisfactory. Even when shooting wide open, the lens captures sharp images at the center of the frame. However, the corners are slightly soft. Corner softening at wide open is more at 42mm than you can notice at 14mm. Stopping the lens down improves the performance of the lens.
However, we have seen that the lens starts to show the effects of lens diffraction at about f/11. Chromatic aberrations are present in a slight amount. Across the focal length and the zoom range, CA is well suppressed. Whatever little CA we have seen is there when the lens is shooting wide open. That, however, isn’t a deal breaker because you can quickly correct the CA in post-processing.
Vignetting is also present in the lens, especially in the 14-18mm range, where the lens corners are visibly dark. As you zoom in, corner shading tends to go away and completely goes away at the maximum focal length.
The lens displays some barrel distortion at the wide end and some pincushion distortion at the tele-end of the lens. However, that’s not major and can be easily corrected using photo editing software.
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II POWER O.I.S.
Features
- Designed for the micro four-thirds system
- The focal length is 200-600mm in 35mm format
- Weather sealed design
- Variable maximum aperture of f/4 – 5.6
The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II POWER OIS is a telephoto lens designed for the micro four-thirds system. Their crop factor makes the focal length an effective 200 – 600mm on a 35mm format. That makes this a super zoom lens on the tele-end.
The lens barrel extends at the front when the lens zooms. The extension is substantial, and the compact nature of the lens changes as a result.
This is an excellent lens if someone wants to capture breathtaking footage of wild animals and birds. The lens takes a user close to where the action is without putting one in harm’s way.
We love this lens for many things, but there is much to ask for. The variable focal length is a problem, especially for shooting videos. The variable aperture creates visual jerks as you zoom in and out.
The construction of the lens includes 17 elements arranged in 12 groups. This includes one extra-low dispersion element that ensures that the lens can suppress the effects of chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
The lens is made of plastic, but there is a sufficient amount of metal at the lens mount.
Additionally, it must be mentioned that the lens is splash and dustproof. There are strategic seals around the lens that ensure that the lens can withstand the effects of splashes, dust, and dirt. If you’re planning an outdoor shoot and expecting the weather to change for the worse, this is one lens that you don’t have to worry about.
Autofocusing on the lens is powered by a linear autofocus motor. In terms of results, the AF motor is silent and accurate for the most part. This certainly helps when you’re shooting videos.
The lens features POWER Optical Image Stabilizer. This feature helps shoot handheld. Available when you’re shooting videos as well, this system is compatible with the Dual IS function on some Lumix camera systems. You can shoot blur-free footage when hand-holding the lens and the camera.
Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH II
Features
- Designed for the micro four-thirds system
- Three aspherical elements
- Stepping motor-powered autofocusing mechanism
- 35mm equivalent focal length of 28mm
This lens is a personal favorite and contributes to my love of prime lenses. Be it the 50mm or the 35mm, or even the shorter focal length primes (24mm and the 28mm), they are so easy to use and sharp. There isn’t a reason not to love the Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH II. It’s a compact pancake design that offers a 35mm format equivalent focal length of 28mm. At 28mm, this lens is suitable for photographing landscapes, cityscapes, street scenes, weddings, group shots, interiors, and architecture (though I feel the best architecture lenses are the tilt-shift ones).
The lens’s maximum aperture is f/2.5, which makes it ideal for working in various lighting situations. This lens’s shallow depth of field is also beneficial for shooting those cinematic-style shots. You can eliminate your subject’s background (and foreground) and shoot with the wide-open aperture to isolate a subject from the background.
There are a total of six elements arranged in five groups. The construction of the lens includes three aspherical elements. These elements ensure that the lens can withstand the effects of spherical aberrations. The result is better color accuracy and sharper images.
The lens’s construction is primarily plastic-based, but the lens mount is thankfully metal. This lens does not come with any weather sealing, meaning you need a backup if you plan to shoot outside.
Additionally, the lens comes with a multi-coated element that ensures that flares and ghosting are suppressed when working in difficult lighting conditions.
A stepping motor powers autofocusing. The stepping motor is a smoother AF system compared to traditional USM AF systems.
It must be mentioned that the lens’s front element does not extend when it focuses.
The lens has image stabilization built-in. That means you will need to shoot at a shutter speed of at least 1/28 sec to avoid image blur in good lighting conditions, but that’s not a problem.
Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
Features
- 35mm format equivalent focal length of 85mm
- Maximum aperture of f/1.7
- Stepping motor-powered autofocusing mechanism
- Designed for micro four-thirds system cameras
If you’re looking for a portrait focal length for the micro four-thirds mount, you may not have to look further than the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH. POWER OIS This is a perfect focal length for shooting portraits because the crop factor of 2x makes this an 85mm lens – the ideal focal length for shooting portraits. If you’re interested in shooting videos and are looking for an 85mm prime for the micro four-thirds mount, this is one you can look into.
This is a prime lens. The wide aperture of f/1.7 is faster than the traditional f/1.8 aperture primes; therefore, it can collect much more light. This is a huge advantage when you’re shooting in low-light conditions.
Plus, the fast aperture can blur out backgrounds and foregrounds to isolate your subject to create that sought-after cinematic effect.
The construction of the lens includes ten elements arranged in 8 groups. This includes one aspherical element that helps suppress the spherical aberration. A bit of chromatic aberration is visible across the frame, especially where there are high-contrast subjects. However, that’s not a major dealbreaker. Chromatic aberrations can be rectified when working in a photo editor.
Additionally, the lens’s construction includes a metallic barrel and a bayonet mount made of metal.
Panasonic’s stepping motor-powered mechanism powers autofocusing. The system is very powerful and smooth at the same time, making it ideal for videos. Unlike the traditional USM technology, where autofocusing engages in a jittery motion, stepping motor designs offer a much smoother process.
The lens features POWER OIS. This technology ensures that the lens is super steady when handheld. The technology works even when you are shooting videos.
In terms of performance, the lens is very sharp. Even when shooting wide open at f/1.7, the lens shows admirable sharpness both in the center of the frame and at the corners. However, diffraction does set in quickly with this lens. You can start seeing the diffraction results at about f/11, and by f/16, it is very vivid.
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
Features
- The lens comes with weather sealing
- Features Panasonic’s POWER OIS
- Seven-blade aperture diaphragm
This is an inexpensive lens with a focal length of 24-120mm based on a 35mm format. The lens features POWER OIS that ensures the usability of the lens while handheld.
The construction of the lens includes 11 elements arranged in 9 groups. The construction consists of one extra-low dispersion element and three aspherical elements to ensure that the lens can suppress chromatic and spherical aberrations, respectively. This improves the color accuracy of the images, with saturated colors and better contrast.
The lens is constructed out of plastic mainly. However, the lens mount is metal.
Regarding usability, no physical buttons on the camera switch on and off the lens’s image stabilization and autofocusing mechanisms. To operate these mechanisms, you must dig deep into the camera’s menu system.
The lens has silent autofocusing and aperture. I particularly like the autofocusing feature that can pull focus noiselessly when shooting videos – a key characteristic of a lens ideally suited for video work.
Zoom lenses tend to suffer from the effects of image shake, so they must come with some form of image stabilization. The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 comes with POWER OIS. The mechanism is also compatible with Lumix camera systems that come with the Dual IS mechanism. The system comes in handy when shooting in very low light conditions.
One of the critical features of the lens is that it comes with robust weather sealing. The key areas of the lens come with a rubber gasket to ensure that moisture, dust, and dirt don’t spill through when you’re using the lens. If you plan on using this lens in inclement weather, this lens won’t let you down.
One of the cons of the design is the variable aperture mechanism. The maximum aperture of the lens shifts from f/3.5 to f/5.6. This means, theoretically, the lens will have a visual jerk when the focal length of the lens changes. In reality, visual jerks are minimal as the aperture changes are seamless.
Although this lens isn’t designed to be a macro unit, the closest focusing distance of 25cm at the telephoto end ensures that the lens can magnify 0.54x. At the tele end, you can shoot some macro images. Please note that to be an actual macro lens, a lens must have a magnification ratio of 1:1. Therefore, this lens isn’t a true macro lens.
Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH.
Features
- 20mm lens resulting in 40mm on a micro four-thirds camera
- Fast aperture of f/1.7
- A very sharp lens with superb autofocusing and handling
Another pancake design is the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH. It is a 20mm lens that translates into a 40mm prime on a micro four-thirds system. This is an inexpensive lens and one that you will have fun shooting everyday photography and wide panoramic scenes, street photos, group shots, and weddings with. Because of the lens’s demure nature, no one will notice you if you pair this lens with a small compact camera system and shoot street photos with it.
This is a very compact design, weighing only 87 grams. The straightforward design consists of 7 elements arranged in 5 groups. The construction includes two aspherical elements to ensure that spherical aberrations are controlled. The individual elements inside the lens have been multi-coated to ensure that the lens is not impacted by ghosting and flares.
The bright f/1.7 aperture lets in a lot of light. This ensures that the lens can capture well-exposed photos in any lighting situation—additionally, the fast aperture assists in creating a shallow depth of field.
The lens feels well built and sturdy. Being essentially a pancake lens and coming with low weight, there isn’t much more you can expect from this lens. Unfortunately, there is no weather sealing.
This is a very easy-to-use, simple lens. Autofocusing is accurate and fast, especially with Panasonic’s GH4 and GH5 cameras. Performance isn’t as fast on other micro four-thirds cameras like the Olympus OMD EM5. Manual focusing is easy – simply turn the focusing ring, and the lens responds.
Performance-wise, the lens is excellent. You can capture a significant amount of sharpness and superb color accuracy with this lens. The quality of autofocusing, as observed earlier, is fantastic, especially with the OEM. cameras. Third-party cameras using the same lens mount are slightly slower in autofocusing performance.
I recommend this lens for shooting street photos because of the AF performance, the demure size, and the handling convenience. Once you get used to this lens, it becomes an extension of your eyes. You start seeing the world the way the lens will capture it.
There is one thing that must be noted, though. This lens is notorious for its tendency to capture colors like the film stocks of yesteryears used to do. If you’re shooting RAW, you can bring the RAW files to Lightroom or Photoshop and then manipulate the colors according to your preference.
Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S.
Features
- Macro lens with 1:1 maximum magnification ratio
- Maximum aperture of f/2.8
- Effective focal length of 60mm (35mm format)
The final lens on our list is a 30mm prime that translates into a 60 prime because of the 2x crop factor of micro four-thirds camera systems. The maximum aperture of this lens is f/2.8 which is bright and fast enough to capture decent exposures in low light situations. While not as fast as the f/1.7 primes we have listed above, this lens is still good for videography.
So what kind of shoots is this lens best for? You can use this lens to shoot portraits, though those would not be tight compositions like you can achieve with an 85mm or a 105mm lens. You can also shoot environmental portraits by taking a few steps back and changing the field of view. But ultimately, you would buy this lens to shoot macro photos and b-rolls for your video project. This is an actual macro lens with a magnification ratio of 1:1. You can compose an image of a minuscule subject and fill the frame with it from a close focusing distance. The minimum focusing distance is 4.1-inches.
The construction of the lens includes nine elements arranged in nine groups. That includes one aspherical element to suppress spherical aberrations. Apart from that, the lens also contains a multi-layer coating on the elements to suppress ghosting and flares.
A stepping motor mechanism powers autofocusing. The lens barrel does not extend focusing and ensures that the lens length remains the same. The advantage of the stepping motor is that the autofocusing performance is smooth and accurate. It’s slower than the U.S.M. motor but less jerky, which is required when shooting videos.
The lens comes with Panasonic’s MEGA OIS system that counters hand movements when exposed. The system works during video shooting, too, and is a treat to use.
