Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens

Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens Summary

Get closer to the action with the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens, which is packed with newly developed technology for sports, action and wildlife photography. The super telephoto zoom is compatible with full-frame Panasonic Lumix S series cameras, and offers a number of firsts for photographers who shoot with the Lumix system.

These include a new OIS unit, which is compatible with Dual I.S. 2 image stabilisation for up to 7.0 stops of compensation against shake, and Lumix’s first tight-smooth selectable ring. With select cameras in the range, you can engage the hybrid zoom option, which combines optical and crop zoom with a simple turn of the zoom ring. The super tele L mount lens is also compatible with the DMW-STC14 and DMW-STC20 teleconverters for up to 1000mm reach for extremely distant subjects.

Manual focus adjustment is possible while zooming with the lens, and image quality is extremely high thanks to an optical design that is optimised for a compact build, yet renders exceptional results.

An 11-blade diaphragm achieves beautifully rounded bokeh and distinct starburst effects, while plenty of features support both stills and video content creation for hybrid users. The weather-resistant design protects the lens from dust and moisture, while a fluorine coating minimises dust and dirt accumulation on the front element.

Despite the high image quality and extensive feature set, the Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS weighs only 1,285g and measures under 200mm long, for maximum portability and the ability to shoot handheld more freely.

Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens Key Features

• Extremely compact and lightweight super telephoto zoom
• 5x zoom range with extremely high image quality
• Industry-leading OIS for up to 7.0-stops Dual I.S. 2 image stabilisation
• Lumix’s first Tight-Smooth ring to prevent unintentional movement
• Compatible with teleconverters for up to 1000mm reach
• Hybrid optical and crop zoom feature with select cameras
• High-speed Dual Phase Linear Motor with silent focusing
• 11 diaphragm blades
• Ideal for stills and video with reduced focus breathing
• Supports manual focus while zooming
• Comprehensive barrel controls including ac customisable focus ring
• 0.8m minimum focus distance (wide) and 0.36x max. magnification (tele)
• Arca-Swiss type tripod mount with rotating feature for vertical shots
• Dust and splash resistant with a fluorine coating

Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens in More Detail

The longest S Series Zoom Lens

With a 100-500mm zoom range, this is the longest telephoto zoom for L mount cameras, which is ideal for subjects like birds, wildlife, sports and action, as well as video recording. On top of being the longest S Series lens, it is also compatible with the Lumix S 1.4x Teleconverter and Lumix S 2x Teleconverter for extensive reach all the way to 1000mm (2.0x), while reducing light by one or two stops respectively.

This enables you to capture extremely distant subjects with high levels of detail even from relatively small subjects in the frame. The two extenders weigh just 180g (1.4x) or 230g (2.0x), adding virtually no noticeable weight to the ultra-lightweight 1,285g design of the 5x zoom lens.

Lumix’s First Tight-Smooth Ring

A new tight-smooth ring lets you adjust the feel of the zoom ring for optimal control. Whether you prefer delicate framing or fast zooming, you can achieve the precise handling you need with this feature, all while preventing unintended zoom movements in the field or during transport.

Additional lens controls include:

• Customisable focus ring
• Zoom ring
• Focus button (Fn button)
• Focus switch
• AF/MF switch
• Zoom limit switch
• OIS switch
• Arca-type rotating tripod mount

Best OIS Control For S Series

Panasonic has developed a new Optical Image Stabilisation system for this lens, which is capable of delivering up to 7 stops of correction when combined with Dual I.S. 2. The mechanism uses a dual-side ball support structure, which reduces friction and ensures smoother, more precise movement of the stabilising elements.

This allows the stabilisation system to detect and correct even the smallest shakes, with actuators that respond faster and more accurately than any previous L mount lens. An OIS switch on the barrel provides control with two modes, with mode 1 for general handheld shooting and mode 2 for panning, where stabilisation adjusts to compensate for movement in one direction.

Hybrid Zooming and Manual Focus While Zooming

A combination of optical and crop hybrid zoom is available with select Lumix cameras, which extends the telephoto end with a simple turn of the zoom ring. The aperture remains unchanged when using the hybrid zoom feature, as it is the centre of the image that becomes cropped rather than adding more glass in front of the lens.

This enables up to 1562mm when shooting with the lens only and the Lumix S1 II, or an incredible 3125mm when the 2.0x teleconverter is mounted.

When the focus mode is set to MF, users can elect between linear or non-linear control, the direction of the ring rotation can be selected, and manual focusing is available during zoom. This allows for smooth focus transitions and focus speed adjustment for precise control when shooting movies.

Close Minimum Focusing with High Magnification

The Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens is a great choice for a variety of content thanks to a close minimum focus distance of 0.8m at the wide end, with up to 0.36x maximum magnification at the telephoto end. This enables you to capture everything from flowers to butterflies in tele-macro proportions.

Customisable focus ring

Panasonic has positioned the focus ring at the front of the lens barrel for unified handling across the range. When the focus mode is set to AF the focus ring can be used as a control ring, and the direction of ring rotation can be switched between left or right. A redesigned mechanism now uses an optical sensor to read ring movements with twice the resolution of earlier designs, providing smoother and more precise control.

You can also quickly access features such the hybrid zoom with the focus button.

Arca Compatible Tripod Mount

With the bundled tripod mount the lens can quickly switch between horizontal and vertical compositions without needing to move the tripod head.

Exceptional Optical Design

The Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS achieves high image quality and a small, lightweight design thanks to the optimised optical construction. This consists of:

• 19 lens elements in 12 groups
• Optimised optics for a compact size with a 7-group zoom design
• Optimally placed special lenses which correct chromatic aberration with fewer elements

Special optics include two UED lenses and ED lenses to correct for chromatic aberration (axial and lateral), and UHR lenses for field curvature.

Dual Phase Linear Motor

The Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS uses the same linear motor found in the Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens, but with an actuator that generates more thrust than a conventional system. This provides the speed and power needed to drive autofocus quickly and reliably, even at the long end of the zoom.

Latest Optical Encoder

Panasonic has also included the same optical encoder used in the Lumix S 24-60mm F/2.8 Lens. This component improves focus stability, helps the lens maintain performance under heat, and contributes to a more compact design overall.

11 Diaphragm Blades

A newly designed diaphragm with 11 rounded blades produces smooth, natural-looking bokeh and attractive starburst effects when photographing point light sources.

Telephoto Lens for Video

A combination of silent focusing, suppressed focus breathing and precise control ensure that the 100-500mm f/5-7.1 L mount lens is suitable for video content creation. The Dual Phase linear motor with optical encoder enables high-speed, and high-precision AF performance, with design that is virtually silent.

The optical design and optimised barrel structure effectively suppresses focus breathing, while the micro-step  aperture control enables smooth aperture transitions without sudden changes during changes in high contrast situations.

Features such as the manual focus while zooming and support for linear and non-linear focus enables consistent user-defined settings for more intuitive shooting depending on your specific needs.

Weather Resistant Rugged Design

A dust and splash resistant design protects the lens inside and out from sand, rain and more. It also operates in temperatures as low as -10ºC, and features a fluorine coating on the front element to reduce dust and smears, while making it easier to clean.

What’s in the box

• Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Lens
• Lens front cap
• Lens rear cap
• Lens hood
• External tripod mount

Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 OIS Specifications