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Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 Review

There’s been a noticeable gap in the Lumix S lens line-up for a while. Panasonic has done an incredible job developing a host of wide and standard zooms, plenty of primes, even a macro, but nothing that reached into super telephoto territory.

Panasonic Lumix 100-500mm Video Review by Gareth Evans

That all changes with the release of the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens, which finally gives full frame S Series users the sort of reach that wildlife, motorsport and sports photographers rely on for their bread and butter work.

This Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 review takes a closer look at the lens with a hands-on video review as well as sample image from our resident YouTuber Gareth Evans. It’s a 5x zoom that stretches to 500mm but somehow weighs only 1,285g and comes in at under 200mm long, which is quite a feat for a lens like this. Panasonic has also developed a new stabilisation system, their first tight-smooth zoom ring, and the option to add 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters for up to 1000mm reach.

The lens was announced on 24 September 2025, with a UK price of £1,799.00, and in the following sections we go over build, handling, autofocus and image quality, and why this lens feels like one of the last missing options for the Lumix S system.

So whether you’ve been waiting for a telephoto from Panasonic for L Mount or simply interested in what this zoom offers, join us for this initial review to discover everything you need to know.

Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 Key Specs

Before diving into handling and performance, it’s worth establishing the key features this new lens offers. The 100-500mm Lumix lens is long enough to cover wildlife and aviation with a teleconverter, but is still extremely compact compared to the big, heavy telephoto zooms you normally associate with this kind of range.

With that in mind, here are the headline specs:

The specifications table highlights how advanced this zoom is, with an arrangement of special optics, an 11-blade aperture, and magnification, which make this a real winner on paper, especially taking into consideration the weight. So why did launch it now, seven years after the L Mount began?

Sample 01 at 500mm. Camera settings: 1/800 sec. f/7.1. ISO 4000

Why release this lens now?

Panasonic has also spent a lot of energy supporting video-first hybrid creators with incredibly well balanced and unified lenses to choose from. Now that many of those options are complete, we have room to expand into photo-first territory, although this lens is perfectly suited to video, which we discuss later on.

Another key reason why a zoom like this didn’t exist until now is that the system’s AF system wasn’t quite there. Early Lumix S cameras were missing a hybrid AF system, which made tracking small and fast-moving subjects trickier, especially when distant in the frame. That has changed with the latest generation of bodies.

More recent cameras like the S1 II and going back as far as the S5 II use a hybrid autofocus system, which combines phase detection with contrast AF. The hybrid system makes a noticeable difference for autofocus and subject tracking, especially when you’re at long focal lengths and need the camera to lock onto something like a bird through trees.

When you also take into account extremely fast burst shooting and subject recognition modes, which includes birds, animals, vehicles, and people, and suddenly the Lumix S line is much more capable for telephoto-lens subjects.

What that means is that the 100-500mm joins a mature camera system at a point where bodies can keep up, and that makes this release much more than just another telephoto. For sports, action and wildlife photographers in particular, it feels like the missing piece of the puzzle, that makes the S system a much more solid option.

Panasonic has also confirmed that a future firmware update will bring a lower-speed SH continuous shooting mode to the Lumix S1 II and S1R II. This will be compatible with pre-burst recording, giving more flexibility for catching fast action without filling cards as quickly.

Next we look at what’s new in this lens, as Panasonic developed some brand new technology just for this first super telephoto zoom.

Sample 02 at 148mm. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/5.6. ISO 320

New Technology in the Lumix 100-500mm

This lens brings a number of firsts for Lumix S. The image stabilisation system has been updated, with a new OIS unit that provides up to 7 stops of compensation against shake with Dual I.S. 2.

The new design includes dual ball bearing support, which reduces friction and lets the optical group move more freely, allowing the system to catch smaller vibrations. This means you can shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without losing sharpness, which you might expect at this type of range.

Another new addition is the tight-smooth zoom ring. It might sound insignificant, but being able to change the feel of the zoom action is very useful in super telephoto. If you want to move quickly between 100mm and 500mm it can be set to loose, or to tight when you prefer less chance of the lens creeping, especially while carrying it.

Autofocus has also been re-developed, with a dual phase linear motor which generates more thrust than a standard linear motor. This moves the focus elements more quickly even at the long end. An optical encoder, also found in another Lumix lens, improves focus stability while allowing the design to stay compact. The result is fast, near-silent AF which is suitable for both stills and video.

The aperture unit is also new. Panasonic has moved to an 11-blade design, which renders out-of-focus areas round and natural, while producing clean starburst effects when you stop down. It’s the sort of thing you notice when looking at real photos rather than specs, and it is always satisfying to see a crisp starburst.

Sample 03 at 500mm. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/7.1. ISO 800

Shared technology Across the S range

Although the 100-500mm brings plenty of new tech, Panasonic has also carried over components from other Lumix S lenses, adding technology that has already been tested in the field.

The autofocus drive uses the same motor found in the Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro. In the telephoto zoom it is paired with an actuator that produces more thrust than a conventional system, which is important when you are shifting larger glass elements.

Alongside the motor is the optical encoder from the Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8, which brings a couple of advantages. It improves focus stability by giving the camera a more precise readout of the lens position, and it also helps the system stay reliable under heat, which can be a factor during long bursts or when filming high-speed movies during hot weather for example. Another benefit is that it enables a more compact barrel design, which is one of the reasons the lens comes in smaller than expected.

Image Stabilisation

As briefly mentioned one of the biggest achievements in this lens is the stabilisation system, with a new OIS unit that works together with Dual I.S. 2 for up to 7 stops of shake compensation. That number sounds impressive and works well with the two mode OIS switch on the barrel.

• mode 1 is for standard stabilisation
• mode 2 for panning, where the system compensates in only one direction.

The new stabiliser is one of the most advanced in a Lumix lens to date, which is quite the achievement for the first super telephoto.

Optical Design for Weight and Image Quality

Keeping a 100-500mm lens compact and manageable is not easy. It was that decision which informed the optical design of 19 elements in 12 groups, arranged in a 7-group zoom design developed specifically to reduce size and weight.

The result is a lens that comes in at just 1,285g and under 200mm long, which is superb for a full-frame super telephoto zoom. Special glass has been used to gain high image quality. Two UED elements, ED and UHR lenses control both axial and lateral chromatic aberrations and reduce field curvature. This helps to keep fine detail sharp across the frame, even at the long end of the zoom, while maintaining natural colours without colour fringing.

The lens barrel has been engineered to suppress focus breathing, so video framing does not shift as you rack focus. Micro-step aperture control also makes exposure changes more gradual, which avoids sudden jumps in brightness when filming in high-contrast lighting. These highlight Panasonic has aimed the lens at both photographers and hybrid creators, which leads naturally into the video features it offers.

Video Features

While the 100-500mm is aimed at photographers who need this level of reach, Panasonic has also made sure it is suitable for all of their video creators. A few factors contribute to successfully shooting moving images.

Autofocus is near silent, and the dual phase linear motor is fast and accurate. Focus breathing has been suppressed through the optical and barrel design, and exposure changes are smoother too, thanks to a micro-step aperture system that avoids sudden jumps in brightness when the lighting changes.

On top of that, the lens allows for linear or non-linear manual focus control, so you can set it up the way you prefer, and manual focus can be adjusted even while zooming. For anyone who shoots video content, these features mean you won’t make any compromises with this lens.

Sample 04 at 148mm. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/5.6. ISO 400

Build and Handling

The Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 is compact for a lens of this range. At 1,285g and less than 200mm long, it is realistic to carry for a full day’s shooting, whether you are travelling, walking through woodland, or shooting a sports event.

The barrel is weather-sealed against dust and moisture, and the front element has a fluorine coating to repel water and fingerprints, which helps when you are shooting outdoors.

The lens also includes plenty of controls:

• The focus ring doubles as a control ring when autofocus is active, letting you adjust camera settings directly.
• Zooming is handled by the main ring, which includes the new tight-smooth selector so you can set how freely it turns.
• Autofocus can be switched with the AF/MF lever, while a separate focus limiter narrows the focus range for quicker operation.
• There is a stabiliser switch with two modes, plus a function button on the barrel that you can customises.
• A focus button allows you to access features like the Hybrid Zoom
• The rotating tripod collar includes an Arca-Swiss compatible foot, so it mounts directly on most tripods or monopods without a plate.

Panasonic has also updated how the focus ring is read, doubling the detection resolution compared to earlier designs. That results in more accurate feedback when you are focusing manually or using the ring as a control dial. All in all this is a fast, accurate and lightweight zoom, that is really easy to shoot with, which is just what you want when capturing wildlife and fast action.

Sample 05 at 500mm. Camera settings: 1/50 sec. f/7.1. ISO 500

Teleconverter Compatibility

One of the big benefits with this lens is compatibility with Panasonic’s teleconverters. You can fit either the Lumix S 1.4x Teleconverter or the Lumix S 2x Teleconverter, which gets you 700mm, and 1000mm respectively. You do lose a stop of light with the 1.4x and two with the 2.0x, but that’s to be expected.

The 1.4x is 180g and the 2.0x is 230g, so even with the lens you are still carrying less weight than many alternatives. These zoom ranges open up aviation and other extremely distant subjects, which we explore next.

We have to briefly mention the 82mm filter thread here too, as that is a common large-sized thread for screw-in filters such as a UV filter or CPL, which are commonly used for outdoor events.

What is a 100-500mm Zoom Lens For?

This lens opens up subjects that weren’t possible on the Lumix S system before. At 500mm you are easily into bird and wildlife territory, with enough aperture and reach to track animals at a long distance, and capture small birds relatively far away. Add a teleconverter and you reach aviation and airshow range, where 700mm or 1000mm let you keep aircraft larger in the frame.

It is not only about long reach as the minimum focus is 0.8m at 100mm and 1.5m at 500mm, with up to 0.36x magnification at the tele end. That means you can use it for close-ups as well, in order to capture butterflies, flowers or any small details without switching to a macro, making the lens even more versatile.

And then there is of course sport. With the newer Lumix S cameras now offering fast bursts and subject recognition for people and vehicles, the 100-500mm is ideal for motorsport or field events where you need speed and reach with long lens coverage for S Series for the first time from Panasonic.

At just over 1.2kg and under 200mm long, this is a lens you can carry all day. The new stabiliser is extremely effective, autofocus is quick and quiet, and the optical design provides sharpness with smooth bokeh rendering for stills and videos. It is of course weather-sealed, there’s a fluorine-coated front element, and a tripod collar compatible with Arca-Swiss style heads, ensuring this is a fantastic, well-rounded option for L Mount creators.

For intermediate photographers through to experienced enthusiasts and professionals, the 100-500mm brings the versatility of a super tele zoom with high performance for birds, wildlife, sports and action.

Shop for the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens today and if you’re looking to part-exchange existing gear, take advantage of our trade-in that you can put towards this lens.

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By Nick Dautlich on 24/09/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.