What is the absolute best all-around zoom for the S5II if I'm looking for one do-it-all lens? I just picked up the body a week ago and I'm honestly torn between three options and my head is spinning a bit. I am looking at:
- the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art (the Mark II version looks so good)
- the Panasonic 24-105mm f/4
- just sticking with the 20-60mm kit lens and maybe getting a fast prime?
I am heading to Japan next month for two weeks and I really dont want to be swapping lenses in the rain or crowded streets. The Sigma is tempting because of that f2.8 for night shots in Tokyo but man it looks heavy and I am worried about my neck after 10 miles of walking. Then there is the 24-105 which has that extra reach and great stabilization but I lose a stop of light. My budget is capped at like $1100-1200ish so the Sigma is pushing it unless I find a good deal. Is the autofocus on the Sigma actually as good as the native Panasonic glass on the S5II? I have heard mixed things about 3rd party lenses and the phase detect system even though it is way better now. I mostly do travel vlogs and some landscape stuff so I need it to be reliable and not hunt too much. Which one would you pick for a long trip where you can only take one lens...
Honestly, if you are worried about the budget and your neck, id just stick with the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 for now. Its already in your hands and weighs basically nothing. Japan involves a ton of walking and a heavy setup like the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art might actually ruin your day after a few hours, plus it eats up your whole budget. The native Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS is a safer pick for reliability tho. The autofocus is just more consistent since its first-party glass and the stabilization is decent for vlogging. If you really need that low light for Tokyo at night, you could grab a cheap Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 with the leftover money. It fits the budget easily and gives you way better night shots than even the f/2.8 zoom would. Keep it simple and dont overspend before your trip.
> the Sigma is tempting because of that f2.8 for night shots Building on the earlier suggestion about weight, I actually hauled a heavy zoom through Shinjuku last year and it kinda sucked. I eventually swapped to the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for its compact size. It handles the S5II phase detect well, though the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is technically smoother for handheld video because of that native Dual I.S. support.
Jumping in here because I am literally pulling my hair out over this exact same dilemma. I have been agonizing over the trade-offs between size, weight, and aperture for about three months now and honestly, I am no closer to a final decision than you are.
- My biggest concern is the weight during long days of shooting since my neck definitely feels it after a few hours.
- The low light vs. lens stabilization trade-off is just driving me crazy.
- I keep cycling through these same options in my shopping cart, adding them and removing them, because I just cant settle on which compromise I am willing to live with. It is super frustrating to be stuck in this loop right before a big trip. I really wish there was a clear winner that checked every single box.
Same here!
