This entire video was shot using the 12-60mm kit lens. I have more Panasonic lens reviews coming up this year so stay tuned. Panasonic MFT 12-60mm Kit Lens Re-Review 2021 ►B&H USA - bhpho.to/3ueGbIB ►Amazon Canada - amzn.to/3qFmWWi ►Amazon UK - amzn.to/2ON7CZI
Thanks for this review. I have this lens more or less always on my G80 (G85) and use primes for photos on my GX9. At times, with a hint of GAS, I think about getting the Leica version because it is better at the long end and (probably) parfocal. But then a video like this reminds me of how good it is.
Thanks for this video. It was the deciding factor in me buying the GH5 II with the kit lens and a Leica 9mm F1.7 specifically for video. So far I am very, very pleased with my initial results.
Thank you for this super detailed, articulate, and intelligent review! I'm probably springing for a g85 and wanted to see what the kit lens could do...I feel reassured enough!
This lens does a good job. it won't give you the most background separation but it's great for many reasons detailed in the video. I still use it a lot - mostly for outdoor work and when it's raining thanks to the weather sealing.
Really great review(!). So many of us have a bias against 'Kit Lenses' but damn, this lens is just very good. Plasticky, light weight? For me, I'm hiking with it all day so that's a selling point. If I break it, since it's not expensive, I'll just by another. 👍👍👍
Hi! Yeah I agree with your review. If you have plenty light then it's a great lens. I actually prefer the 14-140, just for its 10x zoom range which is fantastic. I have both lenses and see no difference in quality of images, autofocus or stabilisation between the two and the 14-140 is only very slightly heavier/bigger. If you require the 12mm focal length then obviously the 14-140 isn't wide enough, but if you have other lens(es) covering the wider end then I think it's worth paying a bit more to get the additional range of the 14-140. (Until recently the 14-140 wasn't weather sealed, so I often use my 12-60 when the forecast isn't great, but otherwise always reach for the 14-140). I'm one of those who think that the wider lenses don't work well enough for walking vlogs on the Panasonic cameras (even at 12mm) because of the warpy stuff in the corners and I've just accepted it as one of the things you can't do with the system. So I now use the tiny 10mm F/2 Laowa manual focus lens for stationary vlogs which gives good enough separation from the background) and then when walking I switch back to the zoom lens and just show the view without me in it, which means you can zoom in further, reducing greatly the annoying warpy stuff and you also don't need the separation so the higher F numbers of the zoom lens are fine. It's not ideal, but a limitation I'm willing to accept because overall the advantages of the Panasonic mft system over other systems out-way the disadvantages for my particular needs. 🙂
Thank you for the great video. I am looking to add the 12-60 to my kit. I really like the 14-140 as a general purpose lens with very good quality photos, video, and is well built as well.
Yep. I have purchased a lot of other lenses for my Lumix camera (primes for cine work), but I find I keep coming back to the kit 12-60. If it was a faster lens, I'd hardly take it off. Yes, there is the Leica version. But for almost $700, the Leica only adds around a half stop on the wide end, and a full stop on the zoomed side. Nice, but worth that much money? No. Sharper? The reviews I've seen say a bit, but mostly on the 60mm end. And this kit lens is already VERY crisp from 12mm through at least 30 or 35mm. Past 40mm it's more average, which is fine.
Thanks a lot for keeping me from spending even more money on a more expensive lens. For some crazy reason you always think that a kit lens is not so good. :-p
Great video, I've been trying to decide whether to upgrade from Canon M3 to a GH5 and this lens for vlogging and videos of my pottery work. Other people have been critical of the autofocus and ability to vlog with this setup. Your demonstrations show it can work for this, and all the other great features of this setup offers has made my decision to place an order :)
I have this kit lens on my G95 and I also have the Olympus 60mm f2.8 macro as my 2nd lens option for my G95. Yes, the dedicated Olympus macro lens is a little bit sharper, but as far as a zoom/kit lens goes, this 12-60 f3.5 is the sharpest kit lens I have ever used. For everyday shooting, you don't need a sharper lens than the 12-60 f3.5. I also don't notice any chromatic abberation with the 12-60 kit lens. I thought about getting the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 or the Panasonic 30mm f2.8 macro, but then I don't think I would gain much in terms of sharpness and I would be losing the versatility of a zoom lens that is super lightweight. Do I need the extra stop of light at f2.8? No, I find I don't shoot at f2.8 much to even justify getting a faster lens. I always shoot at 3.5 or smaller (f4, f5.6 or f8), so fast lenses aren't much use for me. I like everything to be in focus and I am not a big fan of our-of-focus images.
I’m looking for an affordable second lens to cosy up to my 25mm f1.7 for wider shooting. This might the one as the 12/14/15mm primes are out my $$$ reach. Thanks mate!✌️🇦🇺
On my G95, I find the 12-60mm Kit lens is ideal. It covers a nice range from wide angle to telephoto. This works great for both stills and video. However, zooming during video doesn't work, because the focus changes. I've also gotten the 9mm F1.7 lens that works well for blogging and low light. With the two lenses, I can deal with a lot of shooting possibilities.
I did a video about the Gobe ND filters and they work well. I since purchased one for my 12mm F1.4 lens as well and it works really well. Search for "Geeky Nerdy Techy Gobe ND" and it should come up.
Good Afternoon!! I have a GH5 and the 25mm 1.7 lens only. For me to get a full length shot of my subject I have to be 4.10m away from him which means i am getting very little bokeh. Should I be aiming for a 12mm lens so I can be physically closer to him while getting all of him in shot? and also being able to get background bokeh. or travel in the other direction to get him all in but get the bokeh?
This entire video was shot using the 12-60mm kit lens. I have more Panasonic lens reviews coming up this year so stay tuned.
Panasonic MFT 12-60mm Kit Lens Re-Review 2021
►B&H USA - bhpho.to/3ueGbIB
►Amazon Canada - amzn.to/3qFmWWi
►Amazon UK - amzn.to/2ON7CZI
It's cool to see other people still using the 12-60mm kit lens. Thanks for the 2021 review!
Thanks for this review. I have this lens more or less always on my G80 (G85) and use primes for photos on my GX9. At times, with a hint of GAS, I think about getting the Leica version because it is better at the long end and (probably) parfocal. But then a video like this reminds me of how good it is.
Very thorough and clear demo of the lens's capabilities and limitations. Thanks a lot for this!
Thanks for this video. It was the deciding factor in me buying the GH5 II with the kit lens and a Leica 9mm F1.7 specifically for video. So far I am very, very pleased with my initial results.
Awesome stuff and thanks. :) That's a great combination.
Thank you for this super detailed, articulate, and intelligent review! I'm probably springing for a g85 and wanted to see what the kit lens could do...I feel reassured enough!
This lens does a good job. it won't give you the most background separation but it's great for many reasons detailed in the video. I still use it a lot - mostly for outdoor work and when it's raining thanks to the weather sealing.
Really great review(!). So many of us have a bias against 'Kit Lenses' but damn, this lens is just very good. Plasticky, light weight? For me, I'm hiking with it all day so that's a selling point. If I break it, since it's not expensive, I'll just by another. 👍👍👍
I thought i recognised this guy. I didnt know you did photography UA-cam and leftie guitar playing. My two favourite hobbies.😁
Hi! Yeah I agree with your review. If you have plenty light then it's a great lens. I actually prefer the 14-140, just for its 10x zoom range which is fantastic. I have both lenses and see no difference in quality of images, autofocus or stabilisation between the two and the 14-140 is only very slightly heavier/bigger. If you require the 12mm focal length then obviously the 14-140 isn't wide enough, but if you have other lens(es) covering the wider end then I think it's worth paying a bit more to get the additional range of the 14-140. (Until recently the 14-140 wasn't weather sealed, so I often use my 12-60 when the forecast isn't great, but otherwise always reach for the 14-140).
I'm one of those who think that the wider lenses don't work well enough for walking vlogs on the Panasonic cameras (even at 12mm) because of the warpy stuff in the corners and I've just accepted it as one of the things you can't do with the system. So I now use the tiny 10mm F/2 Laowa manual focus lens for stationary vlogs which gives good enough separation from the background) and then when walking I switch back to the zoom lens and just show the view without me in it, which means you can zoom in further, reducing greatly the annoying warpy stuff and you also don't need the separation so the higher F numbers of the zoom lens are fine. It's not ideal, but a limitation I'm willing to accept because overall the advantages of the Panasonic mft system over other systems out-way the disadvantages for my particular needs. 🙂
Thank you for the great video. I am looking to add the 12-60 to my kit. I really like the 14-140 as a general purpose lens with very good quality photos, video, and is well built as well.
Awesome re-review!
The hate for kit lenses is dumb. I have six lenses, and I find myself using this one this most for everyday point and shoot/hobby days.
Yep. I have purchased a lot of other lenses for my Lumix camera (primes for cine work), but I find I keep coming back to the kit 12-60. If it was a faster lens, I'd hardly take it off. Yes, there is the Leica version. But for almost $700, the Leica only adds around a half stop on the wide end, and a full stop on the zoomed side. Nice, but worth that much money? No. Sharper? The reviews I've seen say a bit, but mostly on the 60mm end. And this kit lens is already VERY crisp from 12mm through at least 30 or 35mm. Past 40mm it's more average, which is fine.
I love the Lumix 12-60 but the Leica version is around $500, so a much better bargain.
Thanks a lot for keeping me from spending even more money on a more expensive lens. For some crazy reason you always think that a kit lens is not so good. :-p
Great video, I've been trying to decide whether to upgrade from Canon M3 to a GH5 and this lens for vlogging and videos of my pottery work. Other people have been critical of the autofocus and ability to vlog with this setup. Your demonstrations show it can work for this, and all the other great features of this setup offers has made my decision to place an order :)
I have this kit lens on my G95 and I also have the Olympus 60mm f2.8 macro as my 2nd lens option for my G95. Yes, the dedicated Olympus macro lens is a little bit sharper, but as far as a zoom/kit lens goes, this 12-60 f3.5 is the sharpest kit lens I have ever used. For everyday shooting, you don't need a sharper lens than the 12-60 f3.5. I also don't notice any chromatic abberation with the 12-60 kit lens.
I thought about getting the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 or the Panasonic 30mm f2.8 macro, but then I don't think I would gain much in terms of sharpness and I would be losing the versatility of a zoom lens that is super lightweight. Do I need the extra stop of light at f2.8? No, I find I don't shoot at f2.8 much to even justify getting a faster lens. I always shoot at 3.5 or smaller (f4, f5.6 or f8), so fast lenses aren't much use for me. I like everything to be in focus and I am not a big fan of our-of-focus images.
I’m looking for an affordable second lens to cosy up to my 25mm f1.7 for wider shooting. This might the one as the 12/14/15mm primes are out my $$$ reach. Thanks mate!✌️🇦🇺
Thanks for the review,...
Does this camera include focus by wire and linear focus as an option? Or is the manual focus also a "focus by wire" set-up?
Which exakt colour profile or settings?🤔👋
Thank you
On my G95, I find the 12-60mm Kit lens is ideal. It covers a nice range from wide angle to telephoto. This works great for both stills and video. However, zooming during video doesn't work, because the focus changes. I've also gotten the 9mm F1.7 lens that works well for blogging and low light. With the two lenses, I can deal with a lot of shooting possibilities.
YAY team Lumix :)
Спасибо за хорошо проделанную работу.
❤ i like this video
Great video!!💯📽,
I have a Question, What color profile did you use to film this youtube video?? 'Cause this is not STANDARD right?
Hello, does image stabilization and auto focus work on gh4 as well? Thanks
It will give you optical stabilization on cameras without IBIS. It works the same way on my GH5S.
Thanks for your lovely video. What ND filter Stops can you recommend for this lens? Thanks
I did a video about the Gobe ND filters and they work well. I since purchased one for my 12mm F1.4 lens as well and it works really well. Search for "Geeky Nerdy Techy Gobe ND" and it should come up.
Good Afternoon!! I have a GH5 and the 25mm 1.7 lens only. For me to get a full length shot of my subject I have to be 4.10m away from him which means i am getting very little bokeh. Should I be aiming for a 12mm lens so I can be physically closer to him while getting all of him in shot? and also being able to get background bokeh. or travel in the other direction to get him all in but get the bokeh?
The 15mm is a great compromise between background blur and being far closer to the camera. :)
My aperture stays at F3.9 and my manual focus is not working on the 12-60mm F3.5 to 5.6 on the GH5. HELP!
Check my videos out on if the g7 holds up in 2022
Do you use continuous auto focus?
Yep! - ua-cam.com/video/LAfcxVmfXHE/v-deo.html
Check my videos out on if the g7 holds up in 2022
Shaky vlogging :(
I was walking up a dirt hill probably not the best example 🤣