So you own a Panasonic LUMIX GH5?
Good for you, but you also know that a mirrorless camera can’t function properly without a good lens, right?
I got you.
In today’s article, I will present what I feel are the best lenses for Panasonic GH5.
If you are planning to buy a GH5, I can give you the green light on that.
However, you should know that a newer model is out, the Panasonic LUMIX GH5S.
So, which is the best lens for Panasonic GH5? Let’s find out.
A Quick Look at My Favorite Panasonic Lumix 6H5
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Wide-Angle Lens  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Traveling Lens  | 8.5 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Macro Lens  | 9.1 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Entry-Level  | 8.8 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Night Photography  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Portraits  | 8.2 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Most Versatile  | 8 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Value  | 7.7 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For WildLife  | 7.4 | Check Price On Amazon |
Key Takeaways
- Owning a Panasonic LUMIX GH5 is ideal because it is one of the best cameras, but why not enhance it further with accessories?
- Since lenses are a camera’s primary accessories, I refer to them as accessories.
- I would pick the Panasonic 45mm-200mm F4.0-5.6 lens for the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 because of its incredible characteristics.
- The Panasonic 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 is, without a doubt, the most adaptable lens you could purchase.
- Although you can use lenses made by other companies, you should confirm that they are compatible with your camera.
Top 9 Best Lenses for Panasonic Lumix GH5
9. Panasonic LUMIX Pro 8-18mm F2.8-4.0 – Best Wide-Angle Lens
What I Like
- Very sharp
- Well build
- Smooth focus
What I Don’t Like
- Pricey
Starting the list right away with a great wide-angle lens that doesn’t fail to deliver.
This lens is made for both aspiring Pros and already professional photographers who want to take some great outdoor shots.
It has a metal body and features weather sealing that makes it splash/rain and dustproof.
It also comes with Nano Surface Coating which is developed by Panasonic itself, it highly reduces unwanting reflections such as flaring and ghosting.
The lens doesn’t fail to deliver great AutoFocus performance, pairing the AutoFocus with cameras video capabilities, you get insanely good 4k content and great image quality.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 8-18mm
- Maximum aperture: F2.8-22
- Minimum aperture: F4-22
- Elements: 15
- Groups: 10
- Closest focusing distance: 0.23 m (9.06″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.12x
- Filter size: 67 mm
- Weight: 315 g (0.69 lb)
- Image stabilization: No
Why should you buy it?
If you need a wide-angle lens that will work great with your Panasonic GH5, here is a native Panasonic lens that will help you capture amazing pictures.
Sample Pictures of Panasonic LUMIX Pro 8-18mm
8. Panasonic Lumix Pro 12-35mm F2.8 – Best Traveling Lens
What I Like
- Compact
- Optical stabilization
- Minimal distortion
- Dust and moisture protection
What I Don’t Like
- Edge and corner softness
Next, we have another great zoom lens that is made both for stills and movie use.
What makes this lens a great hybrid lens must be the near-silent stepper focus motor that is both swift and silent at the same time.
Being a high-end lens from Panasonic, it sure also features the Nano Coating I mentioned above. Besides that, it is also known as one of the sharpest lenses Panasonic has to offer.
As far as build quality goes, it is great. The barrel is made out of metal for robust reasons while it also includes extensive weather-sealing. With that being said you won’t have to worry about filming with your GH5 in harsh conditions, this lens is ready to take a beating.
Overall it is a compact, lightweight lens that will highly benefit landscape and architecture photographers, be it recording or taking skills. Definitely a great lens that is capable of outputting amazing image quality.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 12-35mm
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 14
- Groups: 9
- Closest focusing distance: 0.25 m (9.84″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.17x
- Filter size: 58 mm
- Weight: 305 g (0.67 lb)
Why should you buy it?
If you are a photographer and a traveler at the same time, this lens is one of those that will help you do the job easily and precisely. It is portable and amazingly sharp!
Sample Pictures of Panasonic Lumix Pro 12-35mm
7. Panasonic Lumix G Leica 45mm F2.8 – Best Macro Lens
What I Like
- Optically stabilized
- 1:1 magnification
- No distortion
What I Don’t Like
- Expensive
For all you macro shooters, I have a great option, the Lumix G Leica 45mm.
This is a really well-built lens that is made solely to satisfy macro photography.
This lens is really compact and lightweight making it perfect for a micro four-thirds mount, which is the GH5 in this case.
It has a really effective focal length of 45mm, and thanks to that you have the freedom to even use this lens for portraits and such.
Although I said it is mostly made for macro photography, nothing stops you from using it for different shots when you feel limited, or creative who knows, you might get some splendid results.
Being a macro lens it sure can focus on 1:1 magnification, which is life-size. An insect or flower will appear in the frame in a big and detailed manner.
As far as bokeh goes, which is a really important effect on macro photography, it is quite good, and I’ll just leave it there. It is not something to “wow”, but not “eww” either.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 45mm
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 14
- Groups: 10
- Closest focusing distance: 0.5m
- Maximum magnification: 1.0x
- Filter size: 46mm
- Weight: 225g (7.9 oz)
- Image stabilization: Yes
Why should you buy it?
Macro photography is one of the most interesting types, requiring some special things to capture the best photographs. The Panasonic Lumix G Leica 45mm F2.8 lens will help you do so!
Sample Pictures of Panasonic Lumix G Leica 45mm
6. Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7 – Best Entry-Level
What I Like
- Affordable
- Well build
- Very sharp
- Lightweight
What I Don’t Like
- No in-lens stabilization
If you just got your hands on your GH5 and you are ready to start your photography journey, this lens is definitely your “friend”, that will accompany you.
This lens comes in a really lightweight and compact form factor. It has a surface coating that fends off reflections like ghosting and flares through entire ranges.
What separates this lens from the competition is its ability to perform exceptionally well in low light conditions.
What’s more, it offers an unbeatable Bokeh effect at the price point and range. It is capable of even offering better bokeh than its higher-end peers.
In short words, it is a lens that ticks all the boxes a beginner photographer needs and wants.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 25mm
- Maximum aperture: F1.7
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 8
- Groups: 7
- Closest focusing distance: 0.25 m (9.84″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.14x
- Filter size: 46mm
- Weight: 125 g (0.28 lb)
- Image Stabilization: No
Why should you buy it?
This lens is specifically made for beginners as it is easy to be adjusted, and everyone can work with one. It has everything that any beginner could require from a lens.
Sample Pictures of Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm f/1.7
5. Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 – Best For Night Photography
What I Like
- Very sharp
- Focus clutch system
- Minimal distortion
- Dust and splash protection
What I Don’t Like
- Pricey
Coming next, we have a lens from Olympus. If you’ve seen our article on the best olympus cameras, you probably know how good they are.
Olympus lenses are known for their versatility, and among photographers who use them on their Panasonics.
Known for good, of course.
That’s the case with this lens, I listed it as the best for night photography due to the great F-stop it has.
Not only that it has a great focal range and really good construction.
It is made mostly out of metal which reasons the heavyweight but is a lens that is made to last.
It has the known Z.E.R.O Coating of Olympus that greatly reduces and eliminates ghosts and flares that are usually caused by in-frame light sources.
Be it night or day, this lens from Olympus will deliver.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 12-40mm
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 14
- Groups: 9
- Closest focusing distance: 0.20 m (7.87″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.3x
- Filter size: 62mm
- Weight: 382 g (0.84 lb)
- Image stabilization: No
Why should you buy it?
If you are out and about during the nighttime, this Olympus lens will help you capture the best night photographs.
Sample Pictures of Olympus 12-40mm F2.8
4. Olympus 75mm F/1.8 – Best For Portraits
What I Like
- Sturdy build
- Extremely sharp
- Smooth Bokeh
What I Don’t Like
- Hood not included
- Expensive
Yet again, Olympus makes it on the list, this time with a prime lens.
If you own the GH5 and your work concludes mostly portraits, embrace yourself since this lens is literally indomitable at this range.
Some fellow expert photographer says that this lens is one of the sharpest lens wide open on any system combined.
I am not sure, how true is that, but I am sure that this is one sharp lens that offers splendid image quality.
It is really well built, although not weather sealed.
At the same time, this lens will work wonders for indoor shooting thanks to its capabilities of performing really well in low-light conditions.
Overall, it is a great lens that you should definitely consider if you own a Panasonic or Olympus camera.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 75 mm
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 10
- Groups: 9
- Closest focusing distance: 0.84m (33.07″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.1x
- Filter size: 58 mm
- Weight: 305 g (0.67 lb)
Why should you buy it?
Based on the focal length and its aperture, the Olympus 75mm F/1.8 is a great portrait lens you can use on your Panasonic GH5. It is also very durable to work for many years!
Sample Pictures of Olympus 75mm F/1.8
3. Panasonic 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 – Most Versatile
What I Like
- Compact
- Optical stabilization
- Wide aperture
- Dust and splash protection
What I Don’t Like
- Dimmed corners at 12mm
Going forward, next we have a really versatile lens from Panasonic.
This lens promises to deliver, be it everyday photography, portraits and even landscape.
It is a really well-made lens that has weather sealing that will prove useful in harsh conditions.
It also features O.I.S which is an optical image stabilization system that works really nice with shaky hands. It will remove the need for a tripod and will deliver great quality content.
Yes, it also boasts the nano surface coating that I mentioned above, it greatly reduces the unwanted reflections.
No, it didn’t leave the speedy Auto-Focusing behind either. It will work as fine as it works in the other lenses that utilize on the same autofocus motor.
What makes this lens versatile is the great amount of focal range it packs and of course the sharp and nice aperture.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 12-60 mm
- Maximum aperture: F2.8-4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 14
- Groups: 12
- Closest focusing distance: 0.20 m (7.87″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.3x
- Filter size: 62 mm
- Weight: 320 g (0.71 lb)
Why should you buy it?
As said previously, this lens is a very versatile one that you can use in every type of photography. Besides that, if you are a fan of stabilization, here you can find the OIS (optical image stabilization), which works perfectly.
Sample Pictures of Panasonic 12-60mm
2. Panasonic 45mm-200mm F4.0-5.6 – Best Value
What I Like
- Great build quality
- Image stabilization
- Built-in autofocus
What I Don’t Like
- Full-time manual focusing
If you are looking for a zoom lens that steps in telephoto lens territory while also offering low focal length options, you will find no better than this lens.
Why did I list it as the best value one?
It’s simple, this lens offers everything you need on a zoom lens.
Versatility, check.
Performance, check
Rugged Design, check
Most Importantly, affordable price, check.
What do you want more?
Yes, it even has a built-in image stabilization that greatly reduces the blur that is caused by your shaky hands.
It lacks an autofocus system, but that’s an understandable compromise, after all, it is a lens that is priced under 200$.
Nevertheless, if you are in the mid-range spectrum of photography, not a newbie but not a pro either, you can give this lens a chance, no doubt it will step up your photography game.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 45-200 mm
- Maximum aperture: F4-5.6
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 16
- Groups: 13
- Closest focusing distance: 1.00 m (39.37″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.19x
- Filter size: 52 mm
- Weight: 380 g (0.84 lb)
Why should you buy it?
I am pretty sure that not everybody wants to spend much money on a lens; the Panasonic 45mm-200mm F4.0-5.6 is the one to check out.
Sample Pictures of Panasonic 45mm-200mm
1. Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 – Best For WildLife
What I Like
- Excellent image quality
- Affordable
- Well build
What I Don’t Like
- Zoom stiffness
If the above 200mm is not enough, you don’t have to bother since this lens is capable of going for more, double that.
That’s more than enough, right?
Or not so, when you think of it this is a telephoto lens that was made to photograph wildlife.
You don’t want to get up-close-and-personal with a lion, do you?
This is indeed a great telephoto lens, it comes very sharp and lightweight.
The maximum focal length of 400mm Is really effective for wildlife photography, it can capture birds that are flying in a really clean and sharp manner; due to the in-built image stabilization that works very well.
Since wildlife is all about harsh terrains, it sure comes with a water splash, dust, and freezeproof built to withstand elements.
You never know when a sudden rain or bad weather might occur, thankfully not something that will bother the lens.
Might bother you, though.
Key Specifications:
- Focal length: 100-400 mm
- Maximum aperture: F4-6.3
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Elements: 20
- Groups: 13
- Closest focusing distance: 1.30 m (51.18″)
- Maximum magnification: 0.25x
- Filter size: 72 mm
- Weight: 985 g (2.17 lb)
Why should you buy it?
Wildlife photography requires a specific lens, and if you are a wildlife photographer, you will be able to use this one as it will fulfill every need you might have.
Sample Pictures of Panasonic LUMIX G Leica
Frequently Asked Questions – F.A.Q
Is Panasonic GH5 good for still photography?
While its recording capabilities are what made the camera known, stills are part of its strength too. The image quality of this camera is great. For its price range, I can say that this camera has the best image quality.
it doesn’t compromise at all, it still remains a formidable pick in most aspects.
What Lenses from Other Manufacturers I can Use On Panasonic GH5?
While its own lenses would be the best choice, you can also lenses from the competition like the Arri PL, Leica M or R, Pentax K Canon FD, Canon EF, Nikon F, etc.
Is GH5 capable of shooting RAW videos?
No, although GH5 video recording capabilities are remarkable, RAW videos are a trait that most cinema cameras have.
Manual Focus vs. Autofocus
If you want to be able to control everything on your camera, then you should get a manual focus lens. Sure, autofocus lenses are much better with the new technology, but those that want to use manual focus will have an advantage in the speed.
Final Words
There you have it, we reviewed the 9 best lenses for Panasonic GH5. I tried to include as many lenses as possible, to make sure there’s an option that will suit you for sure.
All of the above lenses work wonders with your GH5.
Before you grab a lens, make sure you know its weakness and strength since they don’t come cheap.
Lenses are a long-term investment, you want to buy the right ones that suit your style of photography.
Further Reading
If you liked what you read so far, I would encourage some more reading.
The Panasonic Lumix G7 is a great camera, so if you are willing to upgrade, you can look at Panasonic Lumix G7 lenses.
Especially some interesting topics like, why do you look bad in photos? or in case you want to “meet” the most famous street photographers.
In case your webcam has been struggling recently, I have a solution on why your camera is blurry on zoom?
Have you heard of the bridge camera that has stepped on telescope territory?
Yep, the Nikon P1000.
If you wonder how far the P1000 can zoom, I got you covered on that.
Oh, don’t tell me that you own it already? Or did I pique your interest?
Whatever the case is, I listed some good tripods that will benefit the P1000.
This is it,
Enjoy.
Photographer & Writer
I specialize in landscape, street and portrait photography and I have been featured in various galleries and publications. I believe that photography is a way to tell stories!
