Newark, NJ—At CES 2024, Panasonic introduced the Panasonic Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro lens. The new lens is based on the L-mount system standard. Moreover, compact and lightweight to match the camera body, the S-E100 joins the Lumix S lineup that’s designed to address the demand for accessible yet professional-grade photography gear.
With a new optical design as well as dual phase linear motor, Panasonic touts the S-E100 as currently the “world’s smallest and lightest medium-telephoto fixed focal length macro lens.” Furthermore, the lens weighs in at approximately 10.5 ounces.
“It boasts high resolution, stunning bokeh unique to macro lenses, excellent depth in expression, and fast focusing in a chassis matched to our existing f/1.8 series of lenses. At the same time, its compact nature ensures excellent mobility outdoors and in other shooting locations,” Panasonic announced.
Panasonic Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro Details
In addition to close-proximity photography, the S-E100 also produces portraits and images unique to medium-telephoto lenses. The lens features a more compact structure. That’s thanks to its optical design with a new double focus system; three aspherical lenses; and a new dual phase linear motor with a new actuator. Consequently, the lens is suitable for a range of situations beyond macro photography. This includes natural photos and portraits as well as faster paced action.
What’s more, addressing the increased demand for video capabilities, photographers can use the S-E100 to produce video content through silent operation with corrected focus breathing. It suppresses focus breathing, in which the angle of view changes, caused by movements in the focus position. This is a benefit of its newly developed linear focus motor and micro-step aperture control. These features allow for smooth exposure change as well as the ability to choose between linear or nonlinear focus ring settings.
Panasonic says it also boasts “high resolution and elaborate photographic performance in every area, from the center of the image to its edges.” In addition, it creates a bokeh effect unique to medium-telephoto macro lenses.
The lens’s newly developed dual phase linear autofocus motor enables speed and precision for faster action tracking in both photo and video uses. And a manual focus sensor allows for manual focus precision, even when working at 1:1 macro.
Further, Panasonic designed the new lens to match its existing f/1.8 series. As a result, photographers and videographers can maintain a unified experience from 18–100mm with matched size, filter threads and a similar weight.
The Lumix S-E100 lens reaches retail the end of January 2024. It will have a suggested retail price of $999.99.
