With the LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 (S-S24E), Panasonic now presents another lens in its own full-frame Prime series for the L-mount. It is the third of a total of four F1.8 aperture lenses announced or already released (24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm).
All four F1.8 lenses share a common size and location of controls - as typically expected of cine lenses. This means that changing lenses (on a gimbal, for example) does not force a reset of the entire camera setup. Thanks to the same lens diameter, filters can also be used together.
Due to its compact length (approx. 8.2 cm) and low weight (approx. 310g), the LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 is much more handy than most other L-mount lenses from Panasonic. Like all models in this series, the 24mm F1.8 features a dust and splash resistant design that can be used in adverse conditions as low as -10° C.
The filter diameter is 67mm and its 9-blade circular aperture is said to provide an attractive bokeh effect with smooth focus-blur transitions. In addition, the lens is said to have been optimized for minimal focus breathing.
The LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 is also said to operate almost silently with the contrast AF system of the LUMIX S cameras (at a maximum of 240 fps). When using manual focus, a non-linear or linear setting can be selected for the focus ring. In the non-linear setting, the focus is shifted by a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring, e.g. to switch faster between focus areas. In contrast, in the linear setting, the focus is always shifted linearly according to the angle of rotation of the focus ring. The entire focus range can be traversed in 90 to 360 degrees (adjustable in 30 degree increments) in the linear setting.
The LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 is scheduled to be available in stores by the end of September 2021. The recommended retail price is €899. Panasonic has not yet communicated when the 35mm lens will round out this prime series as the fourth in the bunch. However, given the current rotation, we dare to assume that it will be in spring 2022 at the latest.
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