Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II vs Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6

Both are Micro Four Thirds mount zooms for travel and budget — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.

Last verified 2026-06-21 · Micro Four Thirds mount · prices change — check the retailer

Spec	Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II	Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal length	100-300mm	12-60mm
Max aperture	f/4-5.6	f/3.5-5.6
Type	zoom	zoom
Coverage	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds
Mount	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds

Which should you buy?

• the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 opens wider (f/3.5-5.6) — brighter in low light and more background blur
• the Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II covers 100-300mm and the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 covers 12-60mm — pick the range that matches what you shoot

Where to buy

Check the Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II price on Amazon →

Check the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 price on Amazon →

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FAQ

What's the difference between the Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II and the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6?
The Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II is 100-300mm f/4-5.6 zoom, Micro Four Thirds; the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, Micro Four Thirds. Both fit the Micro Four Thirds mount.

Which is better in low light, the Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II or the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6?
The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 — its f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/4-5.6 of the other.

Do the Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II and Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Micro Four Thirds mount lenses, so they fit OM System (Olympus) and Panasonic Lumix G Micro Four Thirds bodies.

More Micro Four Thirds comparisons: OM System M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS vs Panasonic Lumix G 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II · OM System M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 vs Panasonic Leica DG 15mm f/1.7 · OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO vs OM System M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5-6.3 IS · OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO vs Panasonic Leica DG 50-200mm f/2.8-4 · all Micro Four Thirds lenses · all comparisons