Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH § 03 Head to head
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH vs SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6
Panasonic 12mm f/1.4 is 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture. SLR Magic 12mm f/1.6 is 10 mm shorter.
Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH is a 12mm f/1.4 prime, and the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 is a 12mm f/1.6 prime. On paper the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH 
SLR HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 01
Key differences
Why is the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH better than the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6?
- 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.4 vs f/1.6)
- Newer design (2016 vs 2011)
Why is the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 better than the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH?
- 10 mm shorter (60 mm vs 70 mm long)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.2 m)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (12 vs 9)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 62 mm)
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Which should you buy?
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.6.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.6.
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Specification
| Specification | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH | SLR HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 12mm | 12mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 ◆ | f/1.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/11 |
| Lens type | Wide-angle prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 335 g (11.8 oz) | 330 g (11.64 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 70 mm (diameter) x 70 mm (length) | 73 x 60 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.20 m (7.87 inches) | 0.15 m (5.91 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.10x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes (dust and splash-resistant) | — |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 (circular) | 12 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 15 elements in 12 groups (includes 2 aspherical lenses, 1 ED lens, and 2 UED lenses) | 12 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2016 | 2011 |
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Size
- A · Panasonic
- B · SLR
- 70 × 70 mm
- 60 × 73 mm
The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH is 10 mm longer and 5 g heavier than the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6.
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Sample frames
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH
SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH or the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6?
- The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH opens to f/1.4, against f/1.6 on the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6, 0.4 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH or the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6?
- The SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 weighs 330 g, 5 g less than the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH (335 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH or the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6?
- The SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.2 m for the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH.
- Do the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH and the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH or the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.6.
- Is the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH or the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12 mm f/1.6 better for astrophotography?
- For astrophotography, the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.6.
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