Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Asph. OIS - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - (Micro-)Four-Thirds
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Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

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Sample Images

Here're some sample images taken with the Panasonic L10 and RAW-converted via Lightroom v1.3.1.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.

Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 14.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/250s
Size 2736x3648
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 50.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/1000s
Size 2736x3648
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 38.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/320s
Size 3648x2736
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 30.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/400s
Size 3648x2736
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 50.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/125s
Size 3648x2736
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 50.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/160s
Size 2736x3648
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 50.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/500s
Size 2736x3648
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 14.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/1000s
Size 3648x2736
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 37.0mm
Exposure Data: f/7.1 @ 1/800s
Size 2736x3648
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 50.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/640s
Size 3648x2736
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 40.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/250s
Size 2736x3648
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 14.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/320s
Size 3648x2736

Verdict

The Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical OIS is a refreshingly different "kit" zoom lens. Unlike its distant cousins a la Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS it combines a very decent if not impressive optical performance AND a very good build quality. Resolution-wise it doesn't show any weakness throughout the range and across the image field. Vignetting is a bit on the high side at 14mm @ f/3.8 but otherwise it's quite well controlled. The level of distortions is comparatively low for a standard zoom lens whereas lateral CAs could be better towards the wide end of the range. Panasonic's Mega OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) seems fairly efficient with a "gain" around 2-3 f-stops. Nonetheless it imposes some question marks whether it is really smart to offer two different and opposing IS approaches (body IS vs lens IS) for one system. The lack of OIS tele lenses is a bit of an unfortunate drawback for the Panasonic system. Many related reviews circled around the pricing of the Leica lens and I think they were a bit misleading. The Vario-Elmar is not a typical kit lens but it's more comparable to mid-class lenses such as the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 USM IS or the Sony 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 DT. These lenses aren't really that much cheaper and the Leica is certainly better than both.

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
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