Hands-on: Leica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4 Asph

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Pictured here is the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4 Asph mounted on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. (Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

During the Lumix G seminar in Chiang Mai, we got a chance to have a hands-on with Panasonic's latest Leica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4 Asph lens. For the uninitiated, Leica uses the term "Summilux" as a designation for all its F1.4 lenses. Donning the prestigious Leica label, this 25mm prime lens features bright F1.4 optics and employs Panasonic's Surface Nano Coating Technology which reduces lens flare and improves overall contrast.

Left to right: The Panasonic 14mm F2.5, Panasonic Leica 25mm F1.4 and Panasonic 14-42mm kit lens.
(Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

Compared with the Panasonic 14mm F2.5 (55.5mm diameter x 20.5mm length) and 14-42mm kit lens (60.6mm diameter x 63.6mm length), the 25mm F1.4 (63mm diameter x 54.5mm length) definitely feels heftier and has a better built quality--especially when you consider its rumored US$599 price tag. To give readers a better idea of the kind of performance they can expect from the new 25mm, we've taken some sample images with the Lumix DMC-G3 and GF3.

Portraits captured at F1.4 using the Leica 25mm F1.4 on the G3.
(Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

Its 25mm focal length (equivalent to 50mm) gives users a normal perspective which makes it a handy general purpose lens that can suit a variety of shooting situations. Normal to slight telephoto lenses are recommended for portraits as they make subjects look more flattering.

The wide F1.4 aperture value kept our subject (the jade elephant) in focus while blurring out the background. (Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

The Leica 25mm's F1.4 aperture also allowed us to experiment with a shallow depth-of-field, keeping our subjects in sharp focus while blurring any distracting elements in the background. We think the lens produced good, pleasing bokeh (the quality of blur) unlike some kit lenses which can make out-of-focus elements appear harsh.

At 100-percent magnification, the focal point (the tip of the dessert) displayed excellent sharpness at F1.4. (Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

Looking at a 100-percent crop of an image captured at maximum aperture (which is usually a lens' Achilles heel), we found that the lens produced sharp images all the way to the edges.

The colors produced were natural and not too over-saturated. (Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

The lens also produced natural colors that were very close to what our eyes perceived.

Although we had a positive experience with the Leica 25mm F1.4, we think that the lens' minimum focusing distance of 30cm can sometimes be limiting. We would have preferred if the lens could focus down to 20cm which would give us the ability to shoot better closeups of food or flowers. Also, we felt that the 25mm F1.4's focusing ring could have been made with more traction like the older manual film lenses. This would allow users more precision during manual focusing, which is crucial when shooting at wide aperture values, such as F1.4.

Overall, we were quite impressed with the lens and the images produced during our short time with it. As the lens is still a pre-production unit, shutterbugs could expect some improvements to be implemented before it becomes commercially available.
Shawn Low
About the author

Fueled by his passion for all things photography, Shawn decided that a writer's position reviewing cameras is the perfect job.

He now does reviews, how-to guides, and scours far and wide to cover anything camera-related under the sun. When he's not behind the desk, the former freelance photographer enjoys wandering about documenting his life with his beloved medium format film cameras.

The RMIT business graduate ventures to work every day with camera in one hand, and laptop in another, taking over the Internet one review at a time.

Shawn Low, Writer

Latest comments

The Sony Nex 5n and NEX 7 are AMAZING camera bodies. I agree with #kheah. Sony has NO good lenses yet,, and if hey don't soon they will lose out in this market. The NEX7 feels amazing, but there isn't one lens I want. I just bought a panasonic and this 25/1.4 lens. what a bargain.!!!

Posted by smilesnkisses
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It looks like a great lens. Why can't Sony produce good prime lenses for the NEX? The Micro 4/3 manufacturers seem to understand their customers and produce the lenses they want. On the other hand Sony does not seem to be fully behind the new format and is just plodding along not catering to the needs of the enthusiast. If Sony does not take listen to their customers the NEX will die!

Posted by kheah
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A Great Exquisite Jewel of a Camera!

Posted by crownhimxs2
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