Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 § 03 Head to head
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 vs Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S.
Leica 100–400mm f/5-6.3 has a brighter maximum aperture. Panasonic 100–500mm f/5 - 7.1 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the L-Mount mount: the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 is a 100–400mm f/5-6.3 zoom, and the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. is a 100–500mm f/5 - 7.1 zoom. On paper the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 
Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. 01
Key differences
Why is the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 better than the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S.?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/5-6.3 vs f/5 - 7.1)
Why is the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. better than the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3?
- Longer reach (500mm vs 400mm)
- 245 g lighter (1285 g vs 1530 g)
- Focuses 30 cm closer (0.8 m vs 1.1 m)
- $95 cheaper ($2,099.99 launch price vs $2,195 launch price)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2023)
02
Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 has the edge: its f/5-6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/5 - 7.1.
03
Specification
| Specification | Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 | Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–400mm | 100–500mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/5-6.3 ◆ | f/5 - 7.1 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/40 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1530 g | 1285 g (45.32 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 198 x 88 mm | 196.1 x 92 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 1.1 m | 0.8 m (2.62 feet) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | — | 11 |
| Optical construction | 22 elements / 16 groups | 19 elements / 12 groups |
| Filter size | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Lens mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
| Price | $2,195 launch price | $2,099.99 launch price ◆ |
04
Size
- A · Leica
- B · Panasonic
- 198 × 88 mm
- 196.1 × 92 mm
The Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 is 2 mm longer and 245 g heavier than the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S..
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 or the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S.?
- The Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 opens to f/5-6.3, against f/5 - 7.1 on the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S..
- Which is lighter, the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 or the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. weighs 1285 g, 245 g less than the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 (1530 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 or the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. focuses down to 0.8 m, against 1.1 m for the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3.
- Do the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 and the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. have image stabilization?
- Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
- Is the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 or the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500 mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 has the edge: its f/5-6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/5 - 7.1.