Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 for Micro Four Thirds is the equivalent of the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.7 lenses that for decades were considered the standard lenses for 35mm film cameras. Typically these were high quality optics, made in vast numbers so at relatively low cost. They also were the lenses that gave users a first impression of a manufacturer's quality standards and served as a showcase to whet the appetite for more. It will be very interesting to see how the modern equivalent fills the same niche for current MFT cameras.

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Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Handling and Features

The lens is compact and light, weighing just 125g. It is well finished, using high quality polycarbonate materials, but with a metal mount. The lens bayonets smoothly and securely onto the Panasoni Lumix G6 camera body used for this review. Construction is 8 elements in 7 groups, two of these being aspherical and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index). There are 7 diaphragm blades, which is fairly conventional. The 25mm focal length is equivalent to a 50mm lens on a 35mm format camera and offers the expected 47 degree angle of view. This gives a natural view of the world, very close to what we see with our eyes.

Focusing is down to 0.25m (0.82 feet) and this is much closer than the 0.45m that standard 50mm lenses used to focus to. This in itself can be very useful, although stopping the lens down at such close distances may be needed for best results. The filter thread is 46mm and surrounding the filter thread is a Decoration Ring. Before the lens hood can be attached this ring has to be removed. The lens hood bayonets into place very smoothly and securely.

The wide manual focus ring is ribbed, but in any event the electronic action is light and it is very easy to use. Apart from that, there are no other controls on the lens. The decoration ring is part of the design that in a way may be superfluous, because once removed it is quite possible that is will become misplaced and never used again. It has no other real function if a lens hood is to be used. The lens hood is included in the package and may be regarded as an essential accessory.

For architecture, landscape and close ups the lens is ideal. It is a bit on the short side for portraits closer than half length because as we close in the perspective becomes too steep and noses become too big and distorted. A 35mm equivalent of 75mm or longer would be more suitable for head and shoulders and closer shots of people.

It is not a macro lens, but focuses close enough to be useful for flower portraits and other small subjects. This is a major advantage over standard lenses from the past.

There is no weather resistance, so care should be taken in wet weather, but apart from this there is no hazard nor is there any reason why this could not be a general purpose, carry-anywhere lens offering a realistic and un-distorted view of the world.

Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Performance

Sharpness is quite another matter and the centre at f/1.7 is already very good, rising to excellent levels by f/4 and maintaining this through to f/8. This falls very slightly to very good levels at f/11, is still good at f/16 but only fair at f/22.

The edges maintain very good levels of sharpness from f/1.7 all the way through to f/11, only dropping to good levels at f/16 and fair levels at f/22. The edge values are commendably close to the centre values throughout and the performance is quite even.

This is a very good level of performance overall, and images should be bright, sharp and attractive throughout the range. The inclusion of f/22 as an option is fine if we need the depth of field, but for the best results should really be avoided. This is due to diffraction effects and is to be expected to some degree in all lenses. At the middle apertures the lens offers a very even and high level of sharpness.

MTF
 

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. 

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. Simple.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Panasonic Lumix G6 using Imatest.

CA is well under control, being virtually eliminated in the centre and only slightly drifting at the widest apertures at the edges. This is unlikely to be noticed in general photography and is hardly evident at all in branches against bright sky.

CA
 

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Panasonic Lumix G6 using Imatest.

We can take the phrase undistorted view of the world quite literally, as the distortion levels measured are an extremely low -0.301% barrelling. This would be insignificant for even the most critical use, a commendably low figure.

We do need to be a bit careful about flare when shooting against the light. It is very easy to induce quite obvious flare, creating image artefacts and also reducing contrast to a soft haze. In this respect, the lens fares quite badly.

Looking at the bokeh of the lens we see a very pleasant look to the out of focus areas. The bokeh is smooth and does not have the over busy look that some lenses suffer from.

Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Sample Photos

Value For Money

The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 lens costs around £159. There are a few alternatives in MFT fit, such as the Olympus 25mm f/1.8 M. Zuiko (£289), Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 Nokton II (£659), Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Leica DG Summilux (£389), and Zhongyi Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 (£261).

All of these offer their own particular features, but as an inexpensive and high quality standard lens for MFT the Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 Aspherical does offer a lot of performance for a very moderate price.

Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Verdict

Much of the performance of this lens is exemplary, especially considering the modest cost. The only real drawback is the susceptibility to flare, which is very evident in shots taken into the light. If this can be accepted then the lens is without doubt an excellent proposition.

Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Pros

High levels of sharpness
Low distortion
Low CA
Close focusing
Well made

Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Cons

No weather resistance
Flare levels high against the light

 

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH lens is a sharp and inexpensive standard lens for MFT cameras.

Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH Specifications

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