Whats the best all-around zoom for the S5II if I only want to carry one lens? Im torn between the Lumix 24-105mm f4 and the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 Contemporary. Im heading to Scotland next month for a hiking trip and really dont want to be swapping lenses in the rain. The 24-105 seems perfect for the range and that extra bit of macro, but the Sigma is so light and the f2.8 would be nice for some indoor shots. My budget is strictly under $1100 so the pro 24-70s are out of reach for now. Is the extra 4mm on the wide end of the Lumix worth losing the aperture? Just cant decide which is the better do everything glass for a trip like this...
I have been using the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. on my S5II for a while now and honestly it is the most logical choice for a trip like Scotland. If you are hiking in the rain, you need that full weather sealing. The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is a great little lens, but its sealing is mostly just at the mount, which isnt ideal for the highlands. Plus, those 4mm at the wide end are absolutely massive when you are trying to capture big landscapes. 28mm always feels just a bit too tight for me in those situations. The Dual I.S. 2 you get when pairing the native Lumix lens with the S5II body works very well. I have been able to pull off long handheld shots without any blur, which makes the f/4 aperture a non-issue for most static subjects even in lower light. The 0.5x macro is also surprisingly useful for detail shots of textures or nature when you are on the trail. I think I paid around 1100 for mine and have no complaints about the optical performance. The Sigma is lighter, sure, but for a one-lens setup, the versatility of 105mm and the peace of mind with the build quality makes the Panasonic the superior tool. You really wont miss the f/2.8 as much as you would miss the 24mm field of view. Its just a better do everything glass for unpredictable environments.
