Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification

This macro lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system cameras provides an angle of view equivalent to a 60mm lens on a 35mm camera and life size magnification at its closest focus distance. It also sports a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture and Mega O.I.S. Image stabilisation. In this review, we'll take a look at how it performs.

Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 Handling and Features

The lens barrel is constructed from a mix of metal and high quality plastics, with a glossy finish and the bayonet is metal. It is very compact for a macro lens and only weighs 180g. The compact size of this lens should make it perfect for use with even the tiniest Micro Four Thirds bodies and it also feels right at home on the Panasonic Lumix GX7 used for testing. There is no weather sealing in place, which may be a concern for those wishing to use the lens in inclement conditions.

One image can change us.

A picture, a moment can change the way we feel. Change how we see ourselves. Change our understanding and change the rules. Provoke and change history.

MPB puts photo and video kit into more hands, more sustainably. Every month, visual storytellers sell more than 20,000 cameras and lenses to MPB. Choose used and get affordable access to kit that doesn’t cost the earth. Sell the kit you’re not using to MPB. Trade in for the kit you need to create. Buy used, spend less and get more. Buy. Sell. Trade. Create.

As focusing is performed internally the 46mm filter thread does not rotate, which makes this lens ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters. There is a wide manual focusing ring, which is smooth to operate and nicely damped. The minimum focus distance is 10.5 cm, so care may need to be taken not to shade your subject when shooting near the minimum focus distance.

The optical stabiliser is activated from the in-camera menu on Panasonic cameras. With care, the stabilisation system allows sharp shots to be taken just over half the time at 1/8sec, which is roughly three stops slower than the usual rule of thumb would allow.

Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 Performance

At maximum aperture, sharpness is already excellent across the frame. Stopping down only results in an increase in performance towards the edges of the frame between f/4 and f/5.6.

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. Averaging them out gives the red weighted column.

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

For this review, the lens was tested on a Panasonic Lumix GX7 using Imatest.

Chromatic aberrations are well controlled with fringing only exceeding half a pixel width as the aperture is stopped down to f/8 or beyond. This low level of fringing should pose few issues, even in images with high contrast towards the edges of the frame.

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 GX7 using Imatest.

Falloff of illumination towards the corners is fairly typical for fast aperture macro lens. At f/2.8 the comers are 1.6 stops darker than the centre of the image and stopping down to f/5.6 results in visually uniform illumination.

Distortion is extremely well controlled with only 0.863% pincushion distortion being present. This low level of distortion should rarely require correction, but if it does, the distortion pattern is uniform across the frame, which should make applying corrections in image editing software afterwards, relatively straightforward.

Shooting into the light is no problem for this optic as it is very resistant to flare and contrast is well retained when shooting into the light.

Panasonic LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2.8 ASPH Sample Photos

Value For Money

Priced at £300, this lens represents pretty good value for money, especially when the excellent performance and compact size are taken into account.

The nearest macro lens alternative, in terms of price is the Olympus 60mm f/2.8, which costs around £330, but lacks optical stabilisation.

Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 Verdict

Who could ask for more than a reasonably priced lens that delivers excellent sharpness across the frame from maximum aperture, useful optical stabilisation and life size magnification at its closest focusing distance? Of course the compact size and light weight also help to make this lens one that will win over many admirers.

Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 Pros

Excellent sharpness from maximum aperture
Compact
Good build quality
Light weight
Optical stabilisation
Good value

Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 Cons

No weather sealing

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

The Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 delivers excellent sharpness in a compact and well built lens.

 

Panasonic LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2.8 ASPH Specifications

View Full Product Details