OM M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO § 03 Head to head
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO vs Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S.
OM System 50–200mm f/2.8 has a brighter maximum aperture. Panasonic 50–200mm f/2.8-4.0 is 420 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO is a 50–200mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. is a 50–200mm f/2.8-4.0 zoom. On paper the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
OM M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO 
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. 01
Key differences
Why is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO better than the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S.?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/2.8-4.0)
- Newer design (2025 vs 2018)
Why is the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO?
- 420 g lighter (655 g vs 1075 g)
- 94 mm shorter (132 mm vs 225.8 mm long)
- Focuses 3 cm closer (0.75 m vs 0.78 m)
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 77 mm)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO has the edge: its f/2.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.8-4.0.
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Specification
| Specification | OM M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50–200mm | 50–200mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 ◆ | f/2.8-4.0 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Telephoto zoom lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 1075 g (37.92 oz) | 655 g (1.44 lb) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 225.8 x 91.4 mm | 76 mm (diameter) x 132 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.78 m (30.7 inches) | 0.75 m (2.46 ft) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.25x |
| Image stabilization | Yes | Yes (Power O.I.S.) |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes (splash, dust, and freeze-resistant) |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 (circular) |
| Optical construction | 21 elements / 13 groups | 21 elements in 15 groups (includes 2 aspherical lenses, 2 UED lenses, 2 ED lenses, and 1 UHR lens) |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 67 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2025 | 2018 |
| Price | $3,699.99 list price | — |
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Size
- A · OM
- B · Panasonic
- 225.8 × 91.4 mm
- 132 × 76 mm
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO is 94 mm longer and 420 g heavier than the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S..
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Sample frames
OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S.?
- The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO opens to f/2.8, against f/2.8-4.0 on the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S..
- Which is lighter, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. weighs 655 g, 420 g less than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO (1075 g).
- Which focuses closer, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. focuses down to 0.75 m, against 0.78 m for the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO.
- Do the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. have image stabilization?
- Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power O.I.S. better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200 mm f/2.8 IS PRO has the edge: its f/2.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.8-4.0.