Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 - Review / Test Report - Image Samples and Verdict
Lens Reviews - (Micro-)Four-Thirds
Article Index
Introduction
Analysis
Image Samples and Verdict

Page 3 of 3

Sample Images

Here're some sample images taken with the Panasonic L10.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.

Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/1.4
Exposure 1/320s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/1.4
Exposure 1/200s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/1.6
Exposure 1/4000s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/500s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure 1/400s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/1.6
Exposure 1/4000s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/1.6
Exposure 1/4000s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/1600s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure 1/640s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/1.8
Exposure 1/4000s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/9.0
Exposure 1/400s
Make Panasonic
Model DMC-L10
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 25.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/100s

Verdict

The Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 is certainly an interesting lens for (micro-)four-thirds users due to its ultra-large aperture. However, it has a very special characteristic - it puts all its resources on the performance at large aperture settings. The Leica is indeed fully usable at f/1.4 with a bitingly sharp center, a very good border/corner performance and very high contrast. At f/2 its center quality beats everything we've seen to far here in the local four-thirds tests (and probably beyond). As such it is highly recommended for low light and large aperture photography. However, there're lenses with a better border quality at medium aperture settings so if you're looking for a lens with an exceedingly high performance across the image frame this one may not be for you. The comparatively high lateral CAs may also be an issue for some (albeit a correctable one). The amount of vignetting can be a bit disturbing at large apertures whereas the slight barrel distortions aren't relevant in field conditions. The "bokeh" (quality out-of-focus blur) is generally very good except in the image corners where it deteriorates somewhat.

The Summilux is a comparatively big and heavy lens with a very high build quality. The AF performance is relatively decent despite being based on a conventional AF micro-motor.

So is this enough to give this lens a thumbs up ? Technically it isn't. There're more "harmonious" lenses out there but it is a little wonder for ultra-large aperture photography albeit a pricey one.

Optical Quality:    
Field Quality:(Shallow Depth-of-Field/Available Light Photography)
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
   What does this mean ?

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