I am really struggling to pick the best all-around zoom lens for my L-mount setup because I keep getting conflicting info. I've been using my Lumix S5II for a few months now and I mostly shoot a mix of travel and some family stuff, but I am tired of carrying three different primes everywhere I go.
I did some digging online and everyone says the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is basically the gold standard for this mount, but then I saw a few threads saying the new Mark II version is much better for video because of the aperture ring and weight. But then I saw people saying for travel you should just get the Panasonic 24-105mm f4 because of the extra reach and the dual IS. I'm confused because I don't know if I'll miss that f2.8 for shots at night when I'm walking around cities.
I'm planning a big trip to Japan this October and I really want to have this sorted before then. My budget is around $1100-$1300 but I could stretch it if the lens is gonna last me forever. Is the extra 35mm on the long end of the Panasonic worth giving up the low light performance of the Sigma? Or is there something else I'm totally missing like the 28-200...
Adding my two cents here because a trip to Tokyo last year put me in this exact spot. Been shooting L-mount since the S1 days and I've tried basically every zoom they've put out... honestly, the heavy f/2.8 glass sounds great on paper until you’re ten miles deep into a Kyoto walking tour. In my experience, having that f/2.8 is non-negotiable for those moody Osaka street shots at night, but you dont need to carry a brick. To answer your question, the extra 35mm is nice, but for Japan, I’d prioritize the aperture for those narrow alleys. If you want to save your back, look at these:
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- This is my personal pick for travel. It is way lighter than the Art version and fits your budget easily at around 800 bucks. You lose 4mm on the wide end, but for family stuff, you wont really miss it.
- Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S.
- You aren't missing much here except versatility. It is surprisingly tiny for the reach. Low light performance at the long end is a bit dark, but the S5II sensor handles high ISO so well that it isnt the dealbreaker it used to be.
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art
- If you really want the best of the best, the Mark II is a massive improvement in weight and AF speed. It balances way better on the S5II than the chunky Mark I did. Honestly tho, that Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is the sweet spot. You get the low light capability you're worried about without the bulk. You'll appreciate the weight savings when you're climbing stairs at a shrine... trust me.
Honestly, Japan involves a ton of walking, so you gotta be careful with weight. I have done the heavy lens thing and my neck hated me by day three. Since you are on the S5II, the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is usually my go-to for travel, but you really might want to consider if you can live with f4 at night. Those narrow Tokyo alleys get dark fast.
- Dual IS on the 24-105mm is basically magic for handheld video.
- The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is incredible glass but feels heavy after a full day.
- Reach vs Light: 105mm is amazing for street shots, but f2.8 gives that bokeh your primes have. I would suggest checking your current prime photos to see how often you shoot wider than f4. If you are always at f1.8, the f4 might frustrate you. But for pure versatility, the Panasonic is hard to beat tho...
Like someone mentioned, Japan is a lot of walking and that reminds me of a situation my brother had years ago. He was so focused on getting the absolute best gear for a trip to Kyoto that he spent weeks comparing technical specs on every single forum. He finally settled on a setup, feeling like he had everything perfectly planned out for any scenario. But then, literally two days before his flight, his main body started throwing these weird error codes he had never seen. He ended up spending his entire first night in Tokyo searching for a specialized service center instead of actually seeing the sights. It turned into this massive ordeal involving international warranties and shipping receipts that he had left back home. By the time he got a replacement sorted, he was so stressed about the gears reliability that he barely took any photos the rest of the week. Its really something how you can plan every detail and something totally unexpected just throws the whole thing off...
Just saw this, Ive been super happy with these:
- Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary: tiny and works well for travel.
- Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN II Art: better performance tho pricier. Both are great!
Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.
