Panasonic Lumix S 18 mm f/1.8 review

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Panasonic Lumix S 18 mm f/1.8

2 January 2026

Maciej Latałło

1. Introduction

In the era of reflex cameras the majority of full frame lenses with a focal length shorter than 20 mm featured an aperture as fast as f/2.8. The Sigma A 14 mm f/1.8 DG HSM, presented in 2017, was one notable exception to this rule; mind you it was launched at the very end of that era.

In case of mirrorless optics the situation has changed. Even Sigma took a step forward and in 2023 they showed an even faster model, the A 14 mm f/1.4 DG DN.

Panasonic Lumix S 18 mm f/1.8 - Introduction

Sony hasn't been idle either. In 2021 they launched the FE 14 mm f/1.8 GM and in 2025 they enlarged their line-up by the FE 16 mm f/1.8 G. Among third-party producers Viltrox sticks out with their AF 16 mm f/1.8 model, showed in 2023.

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Still, the fact that Panasonic managed to outperform all the models, mentioned above, is the most curious thing. While constructing their L mount-based system Panasonic showed the Lumix S 18 mm f/1.8 already in August 2022, a lens that offers you an impressing angle of view, reaching exactly 100 deg.

Because of its unique parameters and the fact that in this particular segment the competition is really weak we were really tempted to test it thoroughly. Courtesy of the Polish Panasonic subsidiary we were sent one specimen of this lens we are able to present its full test in the following chapters – enjoy your reading!