Review: Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1 O.I.S. lens
The LUMIX S series has been out for quite some time now and the journey has been a great experience, but like many Lumix shooters, I've long thought something has been missing - a proper telephoto lens.
I have a passion for wildlife and motoring events, and so for me the recent announcement of the 100–500mm F5–7.1 O.I.S. lens is an exciting addition to the lineup. I owned the Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens for a while, but I found it too bulky, and it often stayed on the shelf at home.
Can this new lens satisfy my long reaching desires? Let’s take a look.
The build
For a lens that reaches to 500mm, the 100–500mm is surprisingly compact. Measuring just 196.1 mm in length and with a weight of only 1.285 kg (without the tripod collar), it’s one of the most travel-friendly options in its class.
Panasonic achieved this lightweight through an optimised internal design featuring a Dual Phase Linear Motor, balancing high-speed autofocus performance with minimal size and weight.
In hand, it feels reassuringly solid without the burden of bulk. The weather-sealed construction and a fluorine coating give it professional-grade durability.
The rotating tripod mount and new tight-smooth ring design also demonstrate attention to real-world usability, offering precise resistance adjustments for both smooth zooming and fine framing.
It’s a build that invites confidence whether you’re deep in the bush or track side at a motorsports event.
Features
Panasonic has packed the lens with thoughtful touches that aim to support both photographers and hybrid shooters.
The Dual I.S. 2 system offers a staggering 7-stop image-stabilisation benefit, combining lens and body-based stabilisation for truly steady handheld shots at extreme focal lengths.
The autofocus system delivers high-speed, high-precision, and near-silent operation, ideal for both stills and video work.
A standout inclusion is the customisable control system.
The focus ring can double as a programmable control ring, allowing users to assign aperture or other functions, while a dedicated function button can be mapped to tools such as Hybrid Zoom, a clever feature that merges optical and crop zooming for extended reach without fiddling with menus.
Videographers will also appreciate focus-breathing suppression and micro-step aperture control, ensuring smooth exposure changes and consistent framing during focus pulls.
The lens’ ability to focus as close as 0.8 m at the wide end with up to 0.36× magnification at telephoto adds versatility, whether you’re capturing birds on branches or distant peaks.
The results
In use, the 100–500mm delivers the kind of crisp, contrast-rich imagery we’ve come to expect from Panasonic’s S-Series optics.
Across the zoom range, sharpness remains consistent, with only a minor drop-off at the far telephoto end, impressive for a lens that reaches this far.
The bokeh is smooth and pleasing, particularly when isolating distant subjects against complex backgrounds, a must for wildlife shooters.
The built-in stabilisation truly shines. Even at 500mm, handheld shots remain surprisingly sharp, extending the lens’ usability in low light or when a tripod isn’t an option. I paired this lens with a 1.4x teleconverter, giving me a new reach of 700mm which was particularly helpful for capturing birdlife.
You may lose a stop in aperture, but the image remains sharp, and the S series of cameras handles high ISO values very well, especially after a quick noise reduction in Adobe Lightroom or Topaz Photo AI.
The results
Build quality & durability ★ ★ ★ ★
With its dust/splash/freeze-resistance and a fluorine coating, it has the build quality that I have come to expect from the S series range.
Image quality ★ ★ ★ ★
The image quality is exceptional. You just need to be able to work around higher ISO values due to the aperture range, which is nothing new for any telephoto zoom lens.
Value for money ★ ★ ★ ★
This lens retails for $3699. Whist there are some cheaper options from other manufacturers, as a native lens it outperforms its rivals and would be my choice for any telephoto shoot.
The wrap-up
With the LUMIX S 100–500mm F5–7.1 O.I.S., Panasonic has filled a major gap in its full-frame lineup. This lens combines reach, mobility, and sophistication in a package that feels purpose-built for modern hybrid creators.
While its variable aperture and premium price tag might give some pause, its portability and optical performance more than justify the investment. I recommend it highly.