Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1 O.I.S. Review: Panasonic's First Super-Telephoto Zoom
Until September 2025, Panasonic had no long telephoto zoom of its own for full-frame L-mount. Wildlife shooters had to turn to Sigma’s big 150-600mm and 60-600mm. The Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1 O.I.S., announced on September 24, 2025 at about $2,099, fills that gap. It weighs 1,285 grams without its tripod mount.
That’s light for a lens that reaches 500mm, and much smaller than the Sigma options. It also starts at 100mm, so it covers more ground than a 100-400mm and still frames closer subjects.
Long lenses are for small birds in trees, animals across a field and anything that won’t let you near. Even a parakeet on a bare branch becomes a portrait at 500mm.
Photo: Pixel Effects
Gordon Laing’s in-depth review tests it as a wildlife lens.
Video review: Gordon Laing
Design
The lens has 19 elements in 12 groups, including UED, ED and UHR elements. The aperture has 11 rounded blades and the filter thread is 82mm. Focus uses Panasonic’s Dual Phase Linear Motor.
Optical stabilization is rated at up to 7 stops with Dual I.S. 2, with two modes. Close focus is 0.8 meters at 100mm and 1.5 meters at 500mm, for 0.36x magnification at the long end. That’s handy for butterflies and flowers.
The lens extends about 8.5cm as you zoom from 100mm to 500mm. A Tight-Smooth ring sets the zoom tension, so it doesn’t creep when pointed down. There’s a focus limiter, a custom focus button and a rotating tripod collar that’s Arca-Swiss compatible. It’s dust, splash and freeze resistant, and it works with Panasonic’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, reaching 700mm and 1000mm.
How it performs
TechRadar and Photography Blog both praised the stabilization, and TechRadar found the build quality premium. Photography Blog pointed out that it’s smaller, lighter and cheaper than Canon’s RF 100-500mm, and liked the 5x range and teleconverter support.
The main weakness is the slow aperture, f/7.1 at 500mm, which both reviews flagged. With the barrel extended at 500mm, Photography Blog found the balance less comfortable. TechRadar also called it fairly expensive.
Who it’s for
L-mount shooters who want wildlife, birds, motorsport or air shows without carrying a 2kg-plus lens. It suits the Lumix S1II and S1RII, whose resolution leaves room to crop, and the S5II as a lighter kit.
The Sigma 150-600mm and 60-600mm reach further but weigh much more. Micro Four Thirds users get similar framing from much smaller lenses on the Lumix G9II. For working with long lenses, see our telephoto fieldcraft guide.