Man I finally pulled the trigger on a Panasonic S5II and I am so stoked to get shooting with this thing! I’ve been a micro four thirds user for years but decided it was time to move to full frame for the better dynamic range and that low light performance everyone keeps talking about. Im planning a massive trip to the Dolomites in Italy in about three weeks so I really need to get my lens situation sorted like yesterday.
I basically need one lens that can do almost everything because I hate swapping glass when I’m hiking or if it’s raining. Right now I am looking at three main contenders and I’m totally torn between them.
- Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 Art
- Panasonic 24-105mm f4 Macro
- Stick with the 20-60mm kit lens and buy a fast prime
First there is the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 Art. Everyone says the image quality is insane and that f2.8 would be killer for some low light street stuff in the evenings but it looks kinda heavy for long hikes and it’s right at the top of my budget which is around 1100 bucks. Then there is the Lumix 24-105mm f4. I like that it has extra reach on the long end and the built in stabilization works with the camera sensor stuff for that Dual IS. Seems like a better all-in-one for travel but I worry about the f4 aperture when it gets dark. Is the S5 sensor good enough to make up for that?
Or should I just stick with the little 20-60mm kit lens and save my money for a prime like the 35mm or 50mm? The 20mm wide end is really tempting for those big mountain views but I feel like I might miss the reach of a longer zoom. I’ve been watching YouTube reviews for hours and my head is spinning lol. I want something sharp that won't break my back or my bank account. Which one of these would you guys actually pick if you could only take one lens for a two week trip?
Congrats on the S5II, it is a solid body. Unfortunately, picking glass for the Dolomites is where things get tricky and I have had some issues with the heavier setups lately. I tried taking the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art on a long trek once and it was basically a nightmare for my back. Honestly, the image quality is great but it is just too bulky for serious mountain hiking.
- The Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is definitely the one to get. That Dual IS is a lifesaver when you are tired and shaky.
- Skip the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 for this specific trip. The lack of reach will really bum you out when you see those distant peaks. I was slightly disappointed with f4 in low light at first, but the S5II sensor is so good it barely matters now. It is easily the best all-rounder if you want to keep your bag light. Let me know if you need any more tips for the hike tho...
