Panasonic has announced the Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. lens for L-mount. Built with professional photographers in mind, the LUMIX S Series pursues uncompromising photographic expression with its high-quality cameras and lenses.

The new LUMIX S 70-300mm boasts high descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh throughout the entire zoom range, which create exceptionally impressive photo and video. It also provides high-speed, high-precision AF and Dual Image Stabilizer (IS) for use in a wide range of situations including sports, animals, portraits, and vehicles.

Adopting the state-of-the-art optical technology, the optimum alignment of the 17 lens elements in 11 groups, including one ultra extra-low dispersion (UED) lens, two extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses, and one ultra-high refractive index (UHR) lens, effectively suppresses axial chromatic aberration at tele-end and chromatic aberration of magnification at wide-end. Specifically, the UHR lens achieves uniform image quality from the center to the edges of the image, while contributing to an overall smaller configuration of the lens unit.

With an outstanding minimum focusing distance of 0.54m, the LUMIX S 70-300mm achieves a maximum magnification of 0.5x (at 300mm) realizing half life-size macro photography and videography. A circular aperture with an 11-bladed iris diaphragm provides beautifully rounded bokeh for unfocused lights.

Combining the Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) in the lens and the Body IS in the LUMIX S Series camera, the Dual IS system powerfully compensates for the handshake in telephoto shooting, making it possible to use a 5.5-stop slower shutter speed. The focus control with a maximum 480 fps high-speed sensor drive realizes fast, high-precision AF.

Despite being a telephoto zoom lens with macro capability, the LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. is compact and lightweight for stunning mobility. The rugged, dust/splash-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 14°F / -10°C.
In addition, the fluorine coating on the front element repels water and oil. The filter diameter is 77mm.

Here some sample pictures:

The LUMIX S 70-300mm, like all LUMIX S Series lenses, excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that minimizes focus breathing, a fatal problem in all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Furthermore, focus shift is suppressed during zooming with an exceptional zoom tracking performance, with the subject always in sharp focus. As a result, the new lens meets the exceptionally high standards required to achieve professional-grade video footage.

The Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. lens is scheduled for release in April for $1,250.
Finally, Panasonic promises that additional L-mount lenses are on the way, including three more f/1.8 optics it says are under development.

More info on Panasonic’s website.