Panasonic releases world’s first standard zoom lens with constant F1.7 aperture: LEICA H-X1025*

*As a digital interchangeable lens for a mirrorless camera, as of May 31 2019

Panasonic has released the LEICA DG VARIO-SUMMILUX 10-25mm / F1.7 ASPH. (H-X1025). First previewed at Photokina, the new G Series interchangeable lens features a constant F1.7 aperture, covering the wide to standard zoom range.

The equivalent of five prime lenses in one, the H-X1025 delivers photographers the advantage of quickly moving from an ultra-wide to a medium focal length without changing lenses.  The new lens will be available in Australia in August, priced at $2799 RRP.

Scott Mellish, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic, said:

“Professional G Series users will enjoy this highly versatile lens.  It delivers excellent video and stills performance, and will be a welcome addition to their kit, providing exceptional results across a range of daily shooting requirements.”

“It will have high appeal with professionals shooting in fast-changing assignments such as weddings.  The H-X1025 offers the prime lens benefit of a fast aperture in low light, combined with the versatility of a zoom lens.  Videographers don’t need to stop to change lenses, so they can quickly adapt to capture great footage in different lighting scenarios from cutting the wedding cake to the best man’s speech.”

The addition of a focus clutch mechanism enables instant AF/MF switching and accurate manual focusing. This is another boon for video shooting, with the benefit of consistent and repeatable focus moves.

The LEICA H-X1025 boasts a large F1.7 aperture throughout the entire 20-50mm (35mm camera equivalent) zoom range and delivers exceptionally high optical performance.  A clickless aperture ring provides smooth, seamless aperture control. Adding to its capabilities, the lens has a rugged, splash-resistant design[i], a durable metal mount, and is freeze-proof down to -10° Celsius.

The lens system comprises 17 elements in 12 groups with three aspherical lenses and four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses that suppress axial and magnification chromatic aberration, as well as spherical aberration and distortion. The use of aspherical lenses and the lens system design results in a compact, lightweight lens with outstanding optical performance. The filter diameter of the lens is 77mm, and it has a nine-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

The LEICA 10-25mm lens is compatible with the LUMIX G sensor drive at 240fps to take advantage of the high-speed, high-precision auto focusing. Silent operation is achieved by the inner focus drive system, and a stepless aperture ring and the micro-step drive system in the aperture control section allow the camera to smoothly catch up to brightness changes when zooming or panning.

[i] Dust and Splash Resistant. To avoid damage when using lens under these conditions, it must be used in accordance with the associated instructions in the manual.