DPReview loves the 20/1.7

[squirrel$$$bandit]

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/panasonic_20_1p7_o20/

The Panasonic 20mm F1.7 pancake does rather well in our studio tests. Distortion is being corrected in software, as is lateral chromatic aberration when used on Panasonic camera bodies (although not on the Olympus E-P1), and this is reflected in the results for these tests. Compared to the Olympus M Zuiko Digital 17mm F2.8, the Panasonic simply shines - it's much sharper (to the extent of being better at F1.7 than the Olympus is at F2.8), and has lower CA (even before software correction), less falloff and lower distortion (both 'native' and corrected).

I ordered my GF-1/20mm kit from Panasonic yesterday...the site said in stock but let's see if it really ships today. I'm quite delighted to read this review--even the bokeh looks pretty good.

 

[fixbones]

Cool!!
So share the outcome =D

 

[dazedgonebye]

Good on Panasonic! A quality prime is a beautiful thing.

 

[BillBingham2]

Low standards.

B2 (;->

 

[Ronald_H]

One wonders how much Leica was involved in designing this lens. Their name is not on it, presumably because they don't want to be associated with software correction (which to my mind is EXTREMELY SILLY). The end justifies the means and all that.

I am tempted by the GF-1, but I think we're not quite there yet with m4/3rds. But isn't that always the case with digital cameras? Anyway, a must have lens.

 

[mrisney]

I wonder if Leica was/is considering a "CL-D", there must have been some discussion, meetings - product development teams must have been aware of the G systems , while the d-lux3 and 4 we're being jointly developed.

Or maybe that's still an option. The review mentions what must have been discussed at some point in Solms.



"The 40mm-equivalent angle of view may initially appear unusual, but this is in fact a 'perfect normal' lens, with a focal length equal to the sensor diagonal. This means that it renders images in a very neutral fashion, free of the 'perspective distortion' associated with wideangle or telephoto lenses. While this focal length was historically less common than the ubiquitous 50mm prime on 35mm cameras, it still occupied an honorable niche as the standard lens for a number of high-quality compacts, including the Leica / Minolta CL. Indeed with that 45mm F2.8 macro and an upcoming 14mm F2.8, Panasonic appears to be positioning the GF1 as the spiritual successor to the likes of the CL and the Contax G series:

 

[rover]

I won't be pre-ordering this lens, but barring Oly introducing a real competitor to it, one will accompany my E-P1 this fall. I ordered the E-P1 with the kit zoom assuming that the Panny 20 would be a better fit for me rather than the Oly 17. I still think I am right in that assessment. The E-P1, and I am sure the GF-1 will be the same, just begs for a small fast prime and this one looks like the one to have, for now.

 

[Mephiloco]

I'd like to see some of the Olympus 4/3 optics reworked for micro 4/3, or even some superfast primes. Shouldn't be too difficult, considering Olympus makes a 14-35/2.0 (28-70), the 150/2.0 (300), the 35-100/2.0 (70-200), and then the ultra telephoto lenses that are reasonably fast (2.8).

Unfortunately it seems Olympus is happy making fast zooms and not primes.

 

[rover]

I'd like to see some of the Olympus 4/3 optics reworked for micro 4/3, or even some superfast primes. Shouldn't be too difficult, considering Olympus makes a 14-35/2.0 (28-70), the 150/2.0 (300), the 35-100/2.0 (70-200), and then the ultra telephoto lenses that are reasonably fast (2.8).

Unfortunately it seems Olympus is happy making fast zooms and not primes.

Those all seem to be great lenses, but way too expensive for me. But reworked and shrunk to an appropriate size they would be very desirable for a serious camera system.

 

[gavinlg]

I want to see olympus make some fast primes for m4/3rds. Then and only then will I buy an e-p1. That 17mm f2.8 pancake ended up being quite the dud (IMO)

 

[Ezzie]

I don't understand all the hype the PEN is getting. It's ugly, not particularily inventive, I don't care that its a so-called compact SLR without the mirror. and pentaprism (makes i an SL). Just technobabbel. The GF1 however looks good, same approach, different result. Understated, but solid looks. Gets better reviews as well. Viewfinders already available etc. And now that the optics are surpassing those compatible with the PEN, I wouldn't hesitate (if I was in the market for such a camera, which I was until an R-D1 with an arsenal of CV lenses came my way - no regrets there)

 

[nightfly]

Bummer that it's a 40mm equivalent. I really don't like that focal length. Not 35, not 50. it's the brunch of lenses. "Not quite breakfast, not quite lunch but it comes with a slice of canataloup at the end".

I sold my 40mm Summicron and spent twice as much for a 35mm Summicron that was optically no better for just this reason. Oh well, not buying a digital anyway.

 

[Moto Mark]

It sounds to me that Leica has created the digital equivalent of the CL, except someone on the assembly line forgot to take the Panasonic label off

I can't wait to check out the GF-1...

 

[Mephiloco]

Those all seem to be great lenses, but way too expensive for me. But reworked and shrunk to an appropriate size they would be very desirable for a serious camera system.

Yeah. Most people don't realize those lenses exist due to the high cost, even though the price is comparable to Canon and Nikon's equivalents, though the Olympus versions are 1 stop faster. It just seems absurd Olympus can make a good 28-70/2.0 zoom, but the fastest 4/3 prime they have out is a 25/2.8 and the 50/2.0

 

[Frankie]

I was extremely disappointed at the EP-1. The original concept camera was so much better.

I liked the GF-1 immediately. Minor Japanese-styling element (chrome strips etc.) can be removed or camouflaged. All I am waiting for is to see through the EVF. [I will be arriving Tokyo on October 17th...could wait.]

A 40mm fast prime is just what the doctor ordered. If the EVF is not good enough, I can always use a 35/40mm Voigtlander VF and let the camera auto-focus...true point and shoot style; or I could bracket focus via the AF-lock. If the camera recycles fast enough.

 

[photogdave]

I was kind of disappointed that the ISO 1600 shots in the review's sample gallery seemed to be of poorer quality than the new Canon compacts with their smaller sensors.
Instead of buying a GF-1 and lens I think I'll pick up a Nokton 50 1.1 and a Canon S90!

 

[M4streetshooter]

The 20 looks like a nice lens. I probably will pass as the FOV is to tight for me. I sold my DP2 for that reason. I use the 17 and with the great High Iso of the Pen and the IS,
I'm home and happy.

Design wise the Panny doesn't turn me on but time will tell...
The Gf1 and 20 looks good but on the street, it's gonna be a lot of getting used to with the DOF.
Shooter

 

[rui]

Well, I have the Oly 17 and the barrel distortion (at 4.2%) really annoys me! Besides the wider apperture & more sharpness, the Pany 20 did well to reduce distortion, even if 2.6% still sounds like too much to me. Any thought on this?

 

[Acliff]

Bummer that it's a 40mm equivalent. I really don't like that focal length. Not 35, not 50. it's the brunch of lenses. "Not quite breakfast, not quite lunch but it comes with a slice of canataloup at the end".

I sold my 40mm Summicron and spent twice as much for a 35mm Summicron that was optically no better for just this reason. Oh well, not buying a digital anyway.

I love brunch!

i can see on of these coming my way for my G1 soon...

 

[krohmie]

Got my PENcake (Panny 20mm 1,7 on Olympus Pen) today ...

The taste is good