Panasonic has updated its full-frame L mount Lumix lens roadmap for 2023 by adding two new lenses. One new prime lense has been added at the 100mm (or 105mm) mark with a zoom around the 28-200mm range. The two lenses clearly full up some gaps in the Lumix L mount lineup, but when we’ll see them is currently unknown.
The prime lens sits around the 100mm mark, but potentially 105mm. Whether or not it’ll be a macro lens, like the Canon 100mm f/2.8 or Nikon 105mm f/2.8 is unknown. It might be more akin to the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 (or Sigma’s 105mm f/1.4) than an f/2.8 macro. The zoom looks like a potentially good walkabout lens, as an alternative to the Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS but with a bit more range.
As often happens with roadmaps, there are no clues as to specifics yet or hints on when we’ll see the new releases happen, but both lenses would nicely fill certain use cases. Panasonic doesn’t yet have a macro prime in its Lumix S L mount lineup, and 100/105mm f/2.8 is a very common and very popular prime focal length for macro shooters – and has been for decades. Panasonic adding a macro prime at this sort of focal length would make a lot of sense. A lot more sense than a 105mm f/1.4 or f/1.8 prime for portraits, given that they already have an 85mm f/1.8.
Likewise, a 28-200mm zoom – probably with a variable aperture around f/4-5.6 – would also make a valuable addition to the lineup as Panasonic possibly starts to target the more entry-level market a little more. While a 28-200mm zoom, especially with a variable aperture, isn’t going to be on the top of most pros lists for serious work, it is a valuable walkabout lens. It would complement the Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 Macro quite nicely as a two-lens kit.
We’ll let you know when we hear something official from Panasonic, but I wouldn’t hold your breath for an announcement any time soon.
[via Leica Rumors]
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