Alongside the Lumix S5II and Lumix S5IIX cameras, a new lens will also be gracing Panasonic’s line-up in 2023. The Lumix S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro is a small, lightweight ultra-wideangle zoom that joins the same relatively affordable range as the firm’s existing Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 and Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS optics.

Indeed at 84 x 89.8mm and 345g, it’s barely bigger than the aforementioned 20-60mm lens – just a few millimetres longer – and uses exactly the same control layout. Despite its expansive field of view, it accepts 77mm filters.

Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro

The new ultra-wide zoom strongly resembles Panasonic’s existing  20-60mm F3.5-5.6. Image credit: Panasonic

With a focal length range ideally suited to subjects such as landscape and architecture, the lens also boasts an impressive minimum focus distance of just 15cm, giving 0.25x magnification at 14mm, and 0.5x magnification at 28mm. The barrel features dust- and splash-proof construction with freeze resistance to -10°C, and there’s a fluorine coating on the front element to repel raindrops and fingerprints.

Video users are treated to a micro-step aperture for smooth exposure changes, while the optical design minimises focus breathing. When used on a compatible camera body, the manual focus ring can be switched between non-linear and linear operational modes, and when set to the latter, its travel from infinity to closest focus can be adjusted from 90° to 360°.

The Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro is set to go on sale in February for £879.99 / €999.

Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro on the Lumix S5II

Panasonic’s new 14-28mm f/4-5.6 ultra-wide zoom on the Lumix S5II. Image credit: Panasonic

Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro: full specifications

  • Price:  £879.99
  • Filter Diameter:  77mm
  • Lens Elements:  14 (1 aspherical ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, 3 ED lenses, 1 UHR lens)
  • Groups:  10
  • Diaphragm blades:  7 (circular aperture)
  • Aperture:  f/4-5.6 – f/22
  • Minimum focus:  0.15m
  • Length:  89.8mm
  • Diameter:  84mm
  • Weight:  345g
  • Lens Mount:  L-mount
  • Included accessories:  Caps, hood

Alongside the 14-28mm, Panasonic has also announced the Lumix S5 II full-frame mirrorless camera, which features phase detection autofocus. Read our Hands-on First Look Panasonic Lumix S5II review.

Panasonic Lumix S5II review

Panasonic Lumix S5II review. Image credit: Andy Westlake

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Press release from Panasonic:

Panasonic introduces LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO (S-R1428), a compact ultra wide-angle L-Mount zoom lens with macro capability

Panasonic Lumix S5II with Lumix S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro

Panasonic 14-28mm f/4-5.6 on the Lumix S5II. Image credit: Panasonic

Wiesbaden, Germany, 2022/01/04

Panasonic is proud to introduce the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO, a new budget-friendly ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for the L-Mount system. With a zoom range making it suitable for everything from sweeping landscape shots to expressive portraits and a macro capability for close-up work, this is a versatile lens built to excel at a variety of video and photo tasks.

The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO is comprised of 14 lens elements in 10 groups including one aspherical ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, one aspherical lens, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens. The use of aspherical lenses enables both sharp detail and stunning bokeh, while the three ED lenses effectively suppress chromatic aberration.

Despite its compact size and low weight (approximately 345g), the lens boasts 0.25x (at 14mm) to 0.5x (at 28mm) macro capability. Taking advantage of the minimum focusing distance of 0.15m through its entire zoom range, it can be used for close-up shots with beautiful bokeh.

The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO is capable of smooth, silent operation, working with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision AF system. For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring; for the linear setting, focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum) can be adjusted from 90º to 360º, giving the user outstanding control over focus performance1.

The 14-28mm F4-5.6 also excels in video recording performance, offering professional-level features such as micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change and a mechanism to suppress focus breathing – often a major issue on interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography.

The lens’ rugged dust- and splash-resistant2 design makes it suitable for use in harsh conditions, including at up to -10º Celsius. A fluorine coating applied to the front lens element helps repel oil and water. Filters can be attached via a 77mm diameter thread.

The LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO and LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lens feature a common overall length and position of control parts to provide practical advantages in use. The weight and centre of gravity of these lenses is almost the same, allowing users to exchange lenses quickly with minimal balance adjustment should the camera be mounted on a gimbal.

LUMIX S Series users now have access to three cost-effective zoom lenses covering the commonly used 14mm ultra wide-angle to 300mm telephoto range: the LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO (S-R1428), LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 (S-R2060) and LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. (S-R70300). Each of these lenses offers high optical performance and stunning mobility when fitted to LUMIX S5 series cameras.

The Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 MACRO will be available from February 2023 priced at € 999 / £ 879,99.