Review: Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 DG Nocticron OIS

March 20, 2014

Jordan Steele

Conclusion

Pros

Incredibly solidly built lens with a beautiful finish and well damped focus ring
Brilliantly sharp at all apertures, providing good cross frame sharpness at f/1.2 and tack sharp performance corner to corner stopped down
Beautiful bokeh with uniform specular highlights and a creamy rendering
High contrast and rich color at all apertures
Low spherical aberration
Excellent resistance to flare
Stabilization is good to about 3 stops of extra handholdability
Very fast and accurate autofocus

Cons

Quite large for a Micro 4/3 lens: the width actually prevents use of the E-M5 accessory grip
Longitudinal chromatic aberration is apparent at wide apertures
Aperture ring only works on Panasonic bodies
Expensive

Overall, the Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 DG Nocticron OIS is one of the finest lenses I’ve ever had the pleasure to use. Only some longitudinal CA keeps it from being effectively flawless optically. Honestly, the biggest issues are physical and monetary. The lens is quite large and notably fat for a Micro 4/3 lens, and can cause handling issues on certain bodies. At $1600, the lens is also going to put a very large dent in your pocketbook.

However, one can’t help but be impressed by this lens. Having shot with multiple systems and hundreds of lenses, the Nocticron is right there at the top among the best lenses I’ve ever shot with. It is extremely sharp right from f/1.2, has gorgeous bokeh, low distortion, incredibly high image contrast for a fast lens, super fast autofocus, optical stabilization and a pro-grade build. If you are a Micro 4/3 shooter and want speed, background blur and optical quality, you can’t do much better than the 42.5mm Nocticron.

Image Samples

Click on an image to enlarge

Guitar Veteran - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Guitar Veteran – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

Peeking Out - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Peeking Out – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

Stone Curl - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Stone Curl – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/2

Firemen's Memorial - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Firemen’s Memorial – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

One Way - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — One Way – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

City Hall - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/4.5 — City Hall – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/4.5

Waiting - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Waiting – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

Columbus Statue - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/2.5 — Columbus Statue – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/2

Union Station Arch - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 (41 image stitch) — Union Station Arch – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 (41 image stitch)

Walking - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Walking – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

Out for a Walk - Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2 — Out for a Walk – Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron @ f/1.2

Tags:

Leica, micro 4/3, Nocticron, panasonic

Comments

20 responses to “Review: Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 DG Nocticron OIS”

Val

March 20, 2014

Jordan – thank you for the review, pleasure reading it and only reinforces my initial perception about this lens!
Quick question regarding your comment about the inability to use the E-M5 accessory grip. Can you please describe how or maybe provide a pic if possible? This could be a big concern for many especially since it’s not really that obvious when visually judging the HLD-6 with this lens mounted.

Reply
Fuji 56mm f/1.2 vs. Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron – Admiring Light

March 20, 2014

[…] Review: Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 DG Nocticron OIS » […]

Reply
Nobuyuki Sakamoto

March 20, 2014

I’m glad to see that Panasonic has found its way back to Leica-branded lenses that seem very Leica-like.

It’s interesting that this Nocticron is larger than the Leica/Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 for Four-Thirds. It only uses a 62mm filter. I use it on my GH3 and the GH3 doesn’t sit flat, so I can imagine how the 42.5mm lens changes things. The images are so good with the Four-Thirds lens that I was surprised when Panasonic decided to go so small with the micro Four-Thirds version of the 25mm lens.

I hope that every one of the 42.5mm lenses is incredibly good. I expect a lot of wedding photographers would buy one in an instant.

Reply
Stéphane

March 21, 2014

I must say that I’m very tempted by this lens but, like Val, I’m really concerned by the hld-6 issue. The only lens I feel happy using without the extra grip is my tiny Pana 20/1.7, so a couple of pics with the camera, with grip and lens in hand would be great.

While I’m not sure I can justify the price tag of this lens I’m also looking into replacing (or ideally complementing) my E-M5 with the E-M1 (or it’s successor if I can/have to wait) so any insights on this lens fitting comfortably on that camera would be wonderful too.

Reply
1. Jordan Steele
  
  March 21, 2014
  
  I don’t have the lens any more. I had it for a week for review and that’s it, so I can’t provide a picture. To describe, with the HLD-6 mounted, there is only about a quarter inch of clearance between the lens and the inside of the grip. I CAN fit my fingers into that gap, but it’s not comfortable at all, as I need to actually wedge them in….it’s somewhat painful. It shouldn’t be an issue on a camera like the E-M1 or GH3.
  
  Reply
  1. Chris
    
    March 21, 2014
    
    I can confirm there isn’t any issue with em-1 and this lens, with or without the grip. And I have large hands.
    
    Reply
Steve

March 23, 2014

So glad to have this real world review!! Also, thanks to the commenters as I have an EM1 and got my question answered about the grip.

Reply
Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 Lens Review | Daily Camera News

March 26, 2014

[…] The AdmiringLight review […]

Reply
Blog for mirrorless and premium compact cameras New reviews of Panasonic Leica Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 lens – Blog for mirrorless and premium compact cameras

March 28, 2014

[…] Added on 3/21/2014: https://admiringlight.com/blog/review-panasonic-leica-42-5mm-f1-2-dg-nocticron-ois/ […]

Reply
Max

May 16, 2014

Thank You for this review! I have one specific question. In your review of the voigtlander 42,5mm f/0.95 you observed a “busy” bokeh at longer distances. How does the bokeh of the Leica look compared to the Voigtlander at longer distances?

Reply
Dale

June 13, 2014

Thanks for another wonderful review. I have the Voigtlander 17.5mm and 25mm and have been contemplating a 42.5mm to use with my E-M1 and at present my GH3 (although I may upgrade that to the GH4 at the end of the year). Fortunately, the MFT community have three really outstanding lens in the 42.5mm to 45mm category to choose from and use. I presently own the Olympus 45mm, but have been eyeing the Voigtlander 42.5mm and this new Panasonic Noctigon. Both outstanding, but both also very different along with of course, a meaningful cost factor too. Although I thoroughly enjoy my current Voigtlander lenses, I am surprisingly being more attracted to the Panasonic 42.5mm lens. Much like the Olympus 75mm, everything I see and read about the lens is nothing short of a great great lens to shoot with and own. In your opinion, when you compare the pros and cons of each of these two lenses, am I crazy not to just buy the Voigtlander 42.5mm and enjoy it and my $600 savings, or crazier not to go for the automatic focus, the stabilization and what seems like overall a slightly better lens for the extra money it costs? You have used both lenses, how would you decide on a decision to buy either lens weighing the pros and cons of each? Several of my friends have the Voigtlander 42.5mm and are encouraging me to go the same way and enjoy the Voigtlander lens and the savings, but I quite frankly presently lean a little more closely towards the Panasonic.

Any more thoughts you have regarding choosing between the two lenses? Appreciate your input.

Dale

Reply
1. David Shapiro
  
  September 1, 2014
  
  HI Dale. ‘m making the same choice between Voigt and PL 42.5s for use with E-M1 alongside the Oly 75 and the Voigt 25 (which I’ve recently bought, and love). Did you decide? Any further comment? I suspect I’d benefit from consistency of handling as well as results between the two Voigt lenses, but the PL does seem technically superior as well as bringing AF. The redundancy of the focus ring with Oly body would I guess be a trivial irritant. Thanks, David
  
  Reply
  1. Dale
    
    September 30, 2014
    
    No final decision as of yet, but as much as I like and enjoy my 3 Voigtlander lenses (17.5mm, 25mm, & 75mm), I am leaning more towards the Pany Noctigon for the slightly superior qualities and advantages it will provide (automatic focus, stabilization which would be good if used on my GH3 or another Panasonic body, and I suspect just a tad sharper across the range of settings than the impressive Voigtlander 42.5mm).
    
    Voigtlander also threw a monkey wrench into the mix with their recent announcement of a new 10.5mm F0.95 lens that also has more than perked some interest on my part. Quite frankly, this new lens announcement caught me (and others I’m sure) so once I am ready to buy another lens for my system, there will be another lens that might create the GAS fever too. Never a dull moment in the camera/lens world these days.
    Dale
    
    Reply
Review: Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 DG Summilux – Admiring Light

June 26, 2014

[…] Leica 15mm f/1.7 takes its exterior design cues from its older brother, the 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron (reviewed here), as well as more recent Leica M mount lenses. The result is a very attractive little lens, that […]

Reply
Gonzalo Broto

December 2, 2014

It took me a few months of ‘yes vs. no’ (I already had the Olympus M Zuiko 45, after all, and didn’t use it that much), but in the end, a hot deal in the camera store where I usually buy made me jump and buy it. All I can say is: it was definitely worth the wait, and the price!
This lens is, simply put, at the top of the class in the m4/3 world, no doubt about it, and the images it can produce are full of character. I have used my GH3 again a lot since I bought this lens, after months neglected at home, as I used the easy-to-carry GM1 wherever I went. Not so anymore!
You can read my full impressions and see plenty of images I captured in Bangkok at my blog:
http://gonzalobroto.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-friend-nobody-called-review-of.html

Reply
Harold House

January 17, 2015

Sharpness. I really like it sharp for my insect and bird photo hobby. It can’t be too sharp so lenses like the one you reviewed here and my Oly 60mm Macro really appeal to me. Which leads me to this perhaps odd question. If you took some Nocticron pics back in time, say the early 1970s, and showed them to that time’s professionals, what do you think they would say about that level of sharpness? Would they want it? Would they be put off by it? …just curious what their reaction would be. Thanks for the reviews.

Harold House

Reply
1. Jordan Steele
  
  January 18, 2015
  
  Well, I think you’re assuming that lenses this sharp didn’t exist then. And in a way, that’s correct. f/1.2 lenses that were this sharp didn’t happen back then, but there were plenty of optics out there with insane levels of resolution. Also, in the early 1970s, a lot of working pros were still using medium format cameras as their daily driver, and there is some incredible glass (and crazy resolution in medium format film that is only just recently being pushed by digital cameras) that, at say, f/4, would easily produce the level of detail and sharpness that the Nocticron produces. Even if you restrict it to 35mm film, A 70s Leica 50mm Summicron as well as the Contax/Yashica 50mm planar lenses are up to snuff at fairly wide apertures.
  
  Needless to say, I think most professionals of the day would be very impressed by the lens, especially with such great resolution at f/1.2. Great sharpness at extremely wide apertures is a very recent phenomenon, really only taking hold in the past decade or so, but it’s not AS far off as you might think. My Canon FL 55mm f/1.2, which is from 1968 or so, is surprisingly good wide open…providing quite good resolution at f/1.2, even on a modern digital camera sensor. It’s not as sharp as the Nocticron at f/1.2, but it’s not like it’s light years behind. Modern lenses are great, but there is some REALLY impressive glass from the film era that still holds up. I still use a fair bit of it today. I have a lot of Canon FD lenses that I use, a Contax G 90mm f/2.8 (Which is simply brilliantly sharp, even on a 24 megapixel APS-C or FF sensor), and others. It’s really remarkable how good a lot of the old designs are. The biggest improvements have come in chromatic aberration and spherical aberration correction.
  
  Reply
sokos 3+1 päivät

September 14, 2016

I was very happy to uncover this website. I wanted to thank you for your time just for this fantastic read!!
I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new stuff on your site.

Reply
FirstTerry

November 7, 2017

I see you don’t monetize your site, don’t waste your
traffic, you can earn extra bucks every month because you’ve got hi quality content.
If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for: Boorfe’s tips best
adsense alternative

Reply
M4/3???????????? LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 ?????? | ?????????????

April 29, 2018

[…] Admiringlight […]

Reply