25/01/2026 8:31 pm
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Hey everyone — I just picked up a Panasonic Lumix S5 II and I’m trying to settle on a compact zoom to keep on it most of the time. I love the camera, but with some of the bigger L-mount zooms it starts to feel a little front-heavy for casual carry.
I’m mainly shooting travel and everyday stuff (street scenes, family, some short clips), so I’m hoping for something that covers a useful range like 24–70-ish (or 20–60, 28–70, etc.) without being huge. Autofocus and stabilization matter to me since I’ll use it for video too, and I’d prefer something that doesn’t extend into a total “tube” when zoomed if possible. Weather sealing would be a nice bonus.
I’m not married to Panasonic — I’m open to Sigma or other L-mount options — but I’m trying to balance size/weight, sharpness, and not spending a fortune (ideally under ~$900, but flexible if it’s really worth it).
What compact zoom would you recommend as the best everyday match for the S5 II, and why?
5 Answers
12
25/01/2026 8:31 pm
- **Background:** On the S5 II, “compact” zooms are mostly a trade: smaller lenses usually mean variable aperture and more zoom extension.
- **Why it matters:** For travel/video, you’ll feel weight + balance all day, and AF behavior/IS matters more than lab-sharpness.
- **What I’d pick (value + size):** Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 — in my experience it’s the best everyday match. It’s light, surprisingly sharp, close-focus is great for food/details, and the range is super usable for travel. Used prices are often ~$250–$400, so it’s a steal.
- **If you want a more “pro” 24–70:** Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary (L-Mount) — usually ~$700–$900, way smaller than the 24-70 bricks, solid AF, great bang-for-buck.
Hope this helps! If you tell me “mostly photo” vs “mostly video,” I can steer you tighter.
12
25/01/2026 9:05 pm
> I’m hoping for something that covers a useful range like 24–70-ish… under ~$900… and not extend into a total “tube” when zoomed if possible.
Check out the specs/size comparisons on LensTip, OpticalLimits, adn the DPReview lens database — super handy for sanity-checking weight, zoom extension, and sharpness before you buy. Unfortunately, most “compact” standard zooms *do* extend… that’s just physics.
Budget picks I’d shortlist: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary (Leica L-mount) (often ~$700–$800 used, solid optics, pretty light) and Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. (L-mount) (~$700–$900 new on sale; OIS helps a ton for travel video, range is ridiculous). Pro tip: use MPB/KEH + set price alerts on CamelCamelCamel.
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25/01/2026 10:05 pm
Regarding what #3 said about "Warning first: be careful chasing “compact” + “doesn’t..." - totally agree. Safety/reliability pick IMO: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary (L-Mount). It’s genuinely small for a 2.8, balances well on the S5 II, and AF is solid for clips. Downside: no OIS, so test your typical shutter speeds—IBIS is good, but long end + walking video can get sketchy. Also, use a strap… front-heavy drops happen.
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14/02/2026 10:10 pm
Big if true
1
25/01/2026 8:55 pm
Warning first: be careful chasing “compact” + “doesn’t extend” + “has OIS” on L-mount… you usually only get 2 of those 3, and some cheaper zooms breathe/whine in video or feel front-heavy anyway.
Quick question — how important is **in-lens OIS** to you vs relying on the S5 II’s IBIS? And are you okay with a **variable aperture** (f/2.8-4 or f/4-6.3) if it saves size/cash?
Budget/value-wise, I’d look at Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary (L-Mount). It’s usually one of the best “not huge, still fast-ish” options under your ~$900 target (especially used), and it balances better than the big 24–70s IMO… but no OIS, so video style matters.
