Press text: Leica 9mm f/1.7 MFT lens

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Preorders:
9mm lens at BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon. FotoKoch DE. FotoErhardt DE. WexUK.

“Carry Small, Capture Wide” A New Micro Four Thirds 18mm* Ultra-Wide Angle Lens with F1.7 Large Aperture LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 ASPH. (H-X09)

*35mm camera equivalent

Newark, NJ (May 17, 2022) – Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new large-aperture ultra-wide fixed focal length lens, the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 (35mm camera equivalent: 18mm) for the LUMIX G Series based on the Micro Four Thirds standard.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm (H-X09) is an ultra-wide-angle lens with a large aperture, as well as an unparalleled lens that features an exceptionally short focusing distance of 0.095m (3.7 inches) with an outstanding magnification ratio of 0.25x (35mm camera equivalent: 0.5x). The combination of these lenses makes it possible to distinguish the subject’s presence against the background. It also boasts high descriptive performance and smooth, beautiful bokeh, clearing the stringent LEICA standards, and is suitable for use by professionals and high amateur users for both photo shooting and video recording.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 comprises 12 lens elements in nine groups including two aspherical lenses: two ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens to effectively suppress axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Astigmatism is also corrected with these aspherical lenses, achieving high resolving performance. Furthermore, a Ultra-High Refractive Index (UHR) lens achieves uniform quality from the center to edges of the image while downsizing the lens unit.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 is capable of smooth, silent operation, complementing the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system with the sensor drive at max.240 fps. For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring while focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring for the linear setting. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees1 by 30 degrees to enable intended focus operation. The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Together with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, professional quality video can be recorded.

With its approximately 130g (4.5 ounces) compact size and light weight, the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 features stunning mobility characteristic of a Micro Four Thirds system. The rugged dust/splash-resistant2 design of the lens can withstand high mobility and harsh conditions, including frigid temperatures at 10 degrees below zero.

The filter diameter is 55 mm, with a 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

Panasonic is committed to the development of the Micro Four Thirds lenses to further expand its lineup in order to fulfill the needs of customers.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 9mm F1.7 will be available at valued channel partners for $499.99 in late July.

1 90 to 1080 degrees when used with DC-GH6, as of May, 2022
2 Dust and Splash Resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water.

*Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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Today at 15:00 London time Panasonic will announce the new Leica 9mm f/1.7 lens

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Stay tuned as today at 15:00 London time Panasonic announce the new Leica 9mm f/1.7 lens. Here are the full lens specs:

  • Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH.
  • Price: $497.99
  • Leica DG SUMMILUX 9mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens
  • Configuration: 12 elements in 9 groups (2 aspherical lenses, 2 ED lenses, 1 UHR lens)
  • Number of aperture blades: 7 (circular aperture)
  • Shortest Shooting distance: 9.5cm
  • Maximum shooting magnification: 0.25x (35mm equivalent 0.5x)
  • Filter diameter: 55mm
  • Size: φ60.8 x 52mm
  • Weight: 130g
  • Dustproof and splashproof
  • -10 degree low-temperature resistance
  • Announcement within the next few weeks.

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Dpreview published the full OM-1 review: “the best all-round Micro Four Thirds camera yet”

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Dpreview published the full review and concluded:

The OM System OM-1 is probably the best all-round Micro Four Thirds camera yet, which is exactly what OM Digital Solutions needed to emphasize that it’s a system with a future. It’s not a perfect camera, but with a bit of work on the photographer’s part, it’s one that’s punches well above its weight.

Essentially the OM-1 adds speed and much-improved AF and video to the image quality, stabilization and weather sealing that higher-end Olympus cameras were known for. This greatly extends the kinds of shooting it feels at home with. Particularly if you’re shooting some one of the subjects the camera has been trained to recognize, the sum of the OM-1’s attributes make for a very powerful combination.
The OM-1 is pretty usable as a sports camera, even working outside its comfort zone in very low light. And, though the hitrate wasn’t as high as with the Nikon Z9, the option to use a brighter lens on the OM-1 meant it was able to deliver comparable image quality.

It’s not as polished a camera as the (much) more expensive, typically full-frame, flagships its speed draws comparison with, though. The AF capabilities aren’t as well integrated with one another (or with the camera’s physical controls), and the subject tracking of non-recognized subjects is a noticeable weak-point in an otherwise impressive performance. It’s around half the cost of most pro sports models though and yet can, where necessary, shoot around twice as fast.

The OM-1 can also capture very detailed 4K video. These gains are only really to be seen in the H.265 modes (which are also the 10-bit modes) where you’re limited to Log or HLG HDR capture. Videographers aren’t as well provided for as they would be on the likes of a Panasonic GH, but compared with most stills/video cameras, the OM-1 delivers very good footage, ably supported by the camera’s stabilization system.

OMDS has continued to build on the strengths established under Olympus’ ownership, but hasn’t messed with things like the JPEG engine and the rich, attractive color its ‘Standard’ mode brings.

Image quality is what you’d expect from a modern Micro Four Thirds camera. Resolution-wise 20MP puts it level with the excellent Canon EOS R6 and not meaningfully behind its many 24MP rivals, but tonal quality and noise will be behind larger sensor cameras unless you can find a way to capture more light. But, if your scene is static enough, you can close some of the image quality gap to larger-sensor cameras with one of the OM-1’s clever multi-shot modes.

The OM-1 excels in situations such as wildlife shooting, where its power and compact telephoto lenses mean it’s able to offer an unmatched combination, but it can also be a pretty capable sports camera or a general, everyday photographers’ camera expected to shoot a bit of everything. So, while it can’t generally match a comparably priced full-frame camera for image quality, but there’s nothing else that offers this level of all-round capability (shooting speed, AF performance, IS performance, weather sealing) in such a small package.

Preorders:
OM-1 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. GetOlympus.
OM-1 in EU at Calumet DE. Fotokoch DE. Wex UK. Olympus DE, Olympus UK, Olympus FR, Olympus IT, Olympus ES. Olympus NL. Olympus BE. Olympus AT. Olympus CH.

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