Panasonic introduces world’s first telephoto zoom lens achieving full-range

Panasonic has introduced a new telephoto zoom digital interchangeable lens, the LEICA DG VARIO-SUMMILUX 25-50mm/ F1.7 ASPH (H-X2550). The world’s first telephoto zoom lens that boasts a large F1.7 aperture throughout the entire 50-100mm (35mm camera equivalent) zoom range, it provides exceptionally high optical performance clearing the stringent LEICA standards. 

The new lens is suitable for professional photographers and videographers and is designed to pair perfectly with the LEICA DG VARIO-SUMMILUX 10-25mm / F1.7 ASPH, which is currently available on the market and has been highly acclaimed by creators. These two lenses cover a focusing distance from wide angle to telephoto, functioning as eight fixed focal length lenses (20mm / 24mm / 28mm / 35mm / 50mm / 75mm / 85mm / 100mm, 35mm camera equivalent) providing the same or an even higher level of quality than a fixed focal length lens can offer. 

Both lenses feature the full-range F1.7 high-speed aperture that provides beautiful bokeh, while still offering common aperture shape and operability, allowing the creator to create unique images using these two lenses with minimal workflow. 

Comprising 16 elements in 11 groups, the lens system features an aspherical lens and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses that effectively suppress the axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Spherical aberration and distortion are also corrected by the aspherical lenses for stunningly high resolution. The use of aspherical lenses and the optimum design of the lens system results in a compact size and light weight despite its outstanding optical performance. 

Notably, the new lens excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing at the entire zoom range. In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the stepless aperture ring and micro-step drive system in the aperture control section help the camera to smoothly catch up to brightness changes when zooming or panning. 

The optical design achieves exceptional barycentric stability to minimise image shifts during zooming while the focus ring is equipped with a manual focus clutch and ensures intuitive and precise focusing. The lens boasts a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m (at wide end, 0.31m at tele end) and the maximum magnification ratio of 0.42x (35mm camera equivalent) for superior macro photography. The lens can also be switched between linear and non-linear focus settings. 

The rugged dust/splash-resistant design to withstand use under harsh conditions even at minus ten degrees Celsius for high durability. Filter diameter is in 77mm. 

The LUMIX H-X2550 is a qualifying product for the LUMIX PRO program. The LUMIX PRO program is designed to support LUMIX users when they need it the most, with a range of benefits available to members not only in their own countries but also in countries that they visit for work.