Handling and Features

Performance

Verdict

Specification







An update to the original Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens, the new model offers the same optical performance as the original lens, but features a new design, including updated metal design, improving over the plastic parts on the old model. We compare the two to see if there are any additional benefits with the new lens.



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Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Pancake Handling and Features





The new Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II is designed to maintain the impressive performance of the original Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens. The new Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH. lens is extremely compact and lightweight with a bright f/1.7 aperture that enables beautifully soft focus on the background for the subject to stand out. The 20mm Micro Four Thirds lens is equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera and works on all Panasonic and Olympus Micro Four Thirds system cameras.

Key Features

Metallic profile

Finished in black and silver

Reliable metal mount

Multi-coated lens elements

Seven lenses in five groups

Two aspherical lenses

Circular aperture diaphragm

Seven aperture blades





Another difference is the weight of the new lens vs the original, with the new lens weighing 100g compared to 87g for the original, with both being very lightweight lenses.





Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Pancake Performance

Additional sample photos can be viewed in our original Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 ASPH. Review, and additional samples from the new 20mm f/1.7 II lens are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own photos, ratings and reviews. Photos below are from the original lens on the left and the new lens on the right - simply click them to view the full size original images.

Original Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 New Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II 1/1600 sec | f/8.0 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 1/1600 sec | f/8.0 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 Hall | 1/1000 sec | f/6.3 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 Hall | 1/1000 sec | f/6.3 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200

Structure | 1/500 sec | f/5.0 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200

Structure | 1/500 sec | f/4.5 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 Hall | 1/1000 sec | f/6.3 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 Hall | 1/1000 sec | f/6.3 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 1/320 sec | f/1.7 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200 1/320 sec | f/1.7 | 20.0 mm | ISO 200



Read our original Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens review to see how the lens performs under our usual testing procedure.

Value For Money

The Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 II is available for around £349 vs £269 for the old model making the older model better value for money while it is still available, although it's possible that the price of the new model may drop. The 20mm f/1.7 lens is brighter than other 20mm pancake lenses for other systems, eg the Sony NEX 20mm f/2.8 (around £300) and Samsung NX 20mm f/2.8 (around £160). This makes it good value for money for a bright compact prime lens.



Other prime lenses for Micro Four Thirds that you could look at include the Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5 pancake available for £145, the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 for £399, the Sigma 19mm f/2.8 for £149, and the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 for £439.

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Pancake Verdict

The Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II with a redesigned styling and metal parts, and this gives a very slight improvement in resistance to flare, as well as a slight improvement in contrast. The redesign has very slightly improved the position of the surrounding plastic closest to the lens, which results in a very slight improvement in shielding light from hitting the lens at oblique angles.



The improved build quality should make the lens last longer, although unfortunately there has not been an improvement in focus speeds with both the old and new lens giving the same focus speeds in our testing. With the same excellent image quality, reasonable value for money, and compact size, this new model should be just as popular as the original and is an excellent choice for Micro Four Thirds users. The new colour options also better matches the new cameras from Panasonic and Olympus.

The Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II gives excellent image quality and improved build quality.

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Pancake Pros

Same excellent image quality as the original

Improved build with metal construction

Slightly improved resistance to flare

Improved design

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Pancake Cons

Same focus system as old lens

Increased price

FEATURES HANDLING PERFORMANCE VALUE FOR MONEY OVERALL





Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Pancake Specifications

Manufacturer Panasonic General Lens Mounts Panasonic Micro Four Thirds

Olympus Micro Four Thirds Lens Focal Length 20mm Angle of View 57° Max Aperture f/1.7 Min Aperture f/16 Filter Size 46mm Stabilised No 35mm equivalent 40mm Internal focusing Yes Maximum magnification No Data Focusing Min Focus 20cm Construction Blades 7 Elements 7 Groups 5 Box Contents Box Contents Front and Rear Lens caps, Soft Pouch Dimensions Weight 100g Height 63mm

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