Panasonic LUMIX G II Lens, 20MM, F1.7 ASPH, MIRRORLESS Micro Four Thirds, H-H020AK (USA Black)

I see why all the hype. This lens is beautifully built and solid. I love the results already just playing around the house. 25mm (50 equivalent) makes for lovely shots but I always feel cramped. The Oly 17mm 1.8 is great for ease of use and quality, but doesn't have that certain "pop" of the 25mm. This 20mm 1.7 feels like the perfect balance.Something I didn't expect is just how loud it is. The AF is very audible. It makes sound when you power it on or off. When just aiming the camera around, I heard this little clicking sound. Looking in the front, you can see it's the aperture adjusting to light changes. But I'm not complaining! It's kinda cool and quirky and mechanical. Something about the look, feel and noise of this lens just seems...fun. In a retro robotic scifi kinda way. Hard to express. But it takes really nice shots.Yes, the AF is slow compared to many other lenses, but it's effective and not THAT slow. If this thing was weather sealed, I might use it all the time.

So, this lens. I had the previous version of this lens, and gave it three stars because the AF speed was close to terrible. That was a few years ago. So have things changed?Yes, actually. Camera bodies got better, with better interfaces, better focusing systems, better touch screens, etc. So even though this lens is the same lens as it always was, now it's a better lens because it's part of a better system, and I feel pretty comfortable saying it's now a 5-star lens for 90% of situations, whereas maybe before, I did not feel it deserved 5 stars.This lens is still what it always was, and that's what's so wonderful about it. It's a very compact, inexpensive prime with SUPERB image quality. I think just about everyone agrees that this lens takes a better quality picture than any wide to normal MFT lens under a grand. Not only that, 20mm is a superb one-size-fits-all focal length, useful for street shooting, environmental portraits, group shots, even selfies (where the light weight is useful). It might be the most versatile focal length for someone who is primarily a night time shooter like myself.And this lens, it just oozes vibe, it just has mojo. There's real soul to this lens. I can't explain it, but the first time you nail that street night shot with this lens, you'll know what I'm talking about. It's sharp, yet flattering to people. It makes dull pictures look just a bit more interesting, and it makes good pictures look great. The Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 also does that, of course, but this lens has that vibe for less money in a smaller lens with a wider field of view.But you have to use it properly. You have to give it something to focus on. You can't let it hunt because it will never finish hunting. But with a modern MFT body (esp. a Panasonic with DFD), that's not hard. You can use the touchscreen or use buttons to make sure you're giving a good AF point. If you're the kind of person who lets the camera pick a focusing point all the time, don't get this lens. But then again, I would argue that one should be carefully focusing every shot at f/1.7.So, if you are ready to give your camera something to focus for every picture you take, then try this lens. Notice I said nothing about still life vs. action. You can take action shots with this lens. But you have to select a good AF box for every single shot, and if you slightly miss it and the lens starts hunting, pick a better AF point and try again. Yes, you might miss a couple of shots with this lens that you might not have missed with a faster focusing lens. But aside from a black cat running back and forth in a dark room, you should be fine if you're picking a good AF point for every single picture. Practice with it. The first time you shoot a concert with it, expect to miss some shots. But you'll get better, and the bouncer who turns away other "professional cameras" will probably not even realize what a monster you have with the 20mm.There are situations where this lens will not be so great, but you'll quickly learn what they are:1) Video where you need the on-camera audio to be clean, because yes, this lens talks a bit. Of course, in a loud setting like a rock concert, AF noises are pretty minimal compared to other sounds.2) C-AF. It can't do it. But on the other hand, what exactly would you have been doing with C-AF at 20mm anyway? Shooting basketball? You can fire off a burst in S-AF just fine at 20mm, where you're so far from the action that the depth of field is so deep, so a series of photos is highly unlikely to require refocusing. For video, C-AF in MFT is awful anyway, so just go manual or S-AF.3) Trying to shoot scenes with minimal contrast. Thing is, though, unless it's an action scene, you can wait for the picture to get taken. But I guess some toddlers don't really wait around.4) Handing off the camera to someone who is bad at cameras. But lately, this is less of an issue. Set it to touchscreen shutter, and tell them to touch the face on the LCD. Almost anyone can do that these days.5) You want reasonably fast focus on an older MFT camera.If any of these points are deal breakers, just skip this lens and go to the Olympus 17mm f/1.8. However, I think a better idea is to spend the same money on a cheap used body + this 20mm f/1.7 because I think the picture is better. Plus, with all these other lenses out there where you can go crazy, I think this tiny, cheap, and superb lens is more important than ever to the Micro Four Thirds system. It's cheap enough that it doesn't have to be your only lens, so you can have other lenses that cover its weaknesses. This by itself makes a pretty decent kit. This + a kit zoom can make a good kit. This + any of the great MFT lenses out there (zoom or prime) can make a great kit.To summarize, don't get this lens if you have no desire to develop good habits for photography. But take care of your 20mm, and it will take care of you.

compact and sharp images

After having bad luck with flawed copies of the Olympus 25/1.8 and Panasonic 25/1.7, I tried this little 20/1.7 ii. It is an impressive little lens!Pros:1. Tiny! And, light!2. Very good sharpness across the frame wide-open, even at the edges. Naturally, things improve a bit stopped down, but I have no qualms at all shooting at f/1.7.3. Build quality is pretty good. Yeah, it's not in an aluminum body like Pentax's lovely little Limited lenses, but the 20/1.7 ii feels solid enough and has a nice finish.4. Low-light focusing on my Panasonic G9 and GX85 is impressive, as long as your subject has sufficient contrast.Meh:1. AF speed is not all that speedy. It's not especially slow, either - the AF speed doesn't get in the way of my shooting at all, but I don't know if I'd try to tracking running animals or children with it.2. Bokeh is OK, but could be less hard-edged.Cons:1. AF motor is a bit noisy. Not obtrusively so, IMO - especially if you are accustomed to the old screwdrive lenses in some SLR systems - but it is clearly audible, moreso than any lens I've used that has a focus motor.2. Would be nice if there were a specially-designed lens hood available. I'm currently using a generic 46mm vented hood.Summary:A tiny, sharp, classy walk-around lens.

I am an Olympus user. I already bought this lens used before (mark I version) but when I saw this brand new on Amazon I couldn't resist. It's a fantastic lens, tack sharp at all apertures, negligible chromatic aberrations and distortion...one of the best lenses in all the micro four thirds system. Yes, AF is a bit slower than the other lenses I own, but it's accurate and fast enough for me. This focal lenght is one of most versatile you can think of, Same fantastic optics than the first version, while they have improved the construction, all metal now.