Best Panasonic cameras to buy in 2024

The best Panasonic cameras have legions of admirers among photographers and videographers alike. With two mirrorless camera ranges, as well as a suite of point-and-shoot compacts, Panasonic has built up a formidable portfolio of fantastic shooters. It was actually the first manufacturer out of the blocks with mirrorless; its pioneering Lumix G1 arriving all the way back in 2008. Since then, the firm has gone from strength to strength, consolidating its line-up with the full-frame Lumix S series.

We test all the major cameras released by Panasonic, and list represents the models that have impressed our reviewers the most. With Panasonic courting both photographers and videographers, we assign video specialists to review new Lumix cameras as well as photo experts, so you’ll see the opinions of plenty of different writers throughout this guide.

As mentioned, the Panasonic lineup includes Micro Four Thirds mirrorless, full-frame mirrorless and compact cameras, and we’ve included representatives from all these categories. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what this means – there’s an explainer section at the bottom of the page for those who are new to Panasonic gear.

We have made sure to add some budget-friendly options to this list for those who need them. For more Micro Four Thirds options you may be interested in our guide to the best Olympus / OM System cameras, and we also have a dedicated rundown of the best full-frame mirrorless cameras that includes several Panasonic-made options.

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The best Panasonic cameras: our quick list

Looking for the best deal on Panasonic cameras? Not only will you find the best Panasonic Lumix cameras, but you’ll also find some of the best Panasonic camera deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are setup to automatically take you to the best prices, from trusted retailers. There is also a list of other retailers below each camera, so you can find the right deal for you.

Want to cut right to it? Here are our picks of the best Panasonic cameras you can buy, with links to get the best prices…

• Best overall Panasonic camera: Panasonic Lumix G9II- buy now
• Best full-frame Panasonic for video: Panasonic Lumix S5IIX- buy now
• Best MFT Panasonic camera for video: Panasonic Lumix GH7 – buy now
• Best Panasonic bridge camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ82D / FZ80D – buy now
• Best Panasonic camera for vloggers: Panasonic Lumix GH5 II – buy now
• Best entry-level Panasonic mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix G100D – buy now
• Best mid-range Panasonic mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix G90 / G95 – buy now
• Best rangefinder-style Panasonic mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix GX9 – buy now
• Best entry-level Panasonic travel zoom: Panasonic Lumix TZ100 / ZS100 – buy now
• Best full-frame Panasonic camera: Panasonic Lumix S5 – buy now
• Best full-frame Panasonic camera for stills photography: Panasonic Lumix S1R – buy now
• Best full-frame Panasonic camera to buy second-hand: Panasonic Lumix S1 – buy now
• Best overall Panasonic camera to buy second-hand: Panasonic Lumix GH5 – buy now
• Best Panasonic premium compact camera: Panasonic Lumix LX100 II – buy now

Read on for a detailed breakdown of each camera, including pros and cons and our recommendations for which model is suited to you…

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Best overall Panasonic camera: Panasonic Lumix G9II

Panasonic Lumix G9II at a glance:

• 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds sensor
• 5.7K 60p and 4K 120p video
• 8-stop in-body image stabilisation
• Up to 75 fps shooting
• $1,698 / £1,689 body-only

Namely a successor to the Lumix G9, but it is more like a completely new camera with notable features such as phase detection autofocus instead of the older DFD (dept-from-defocus) system and automatic Dynamic Range Boost function. As well as Panasonic’s latest subject detection technology under the hood, it is one of the firm’s best cameras yet.

With a standard sensitivity range covering ISO 100-25,600, the sensor promises improved image quality compared to older 20MP MFT models, which had a base ISO of 200. The top shutter speed is 1/8000sec, or 1/32,000sec with the electronic shutter.

The hybrid phase detection/ contrast autofocus system delivers fast and accurate focusing and helps during video recording. Another one of the latest technologies employed is the subject detection autofocus for cars and motorcycles, so if you are a keen automotive photographer, the G9 may just be the camera for you. This coupled with 75 fps continuous shooting using the electronic shutter with fixed focus (60 fps with continuous AF) and you can be certain you won’t miss that eye-catching moment.

Read our full review of the Panasonic Lumix G9 II

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Best full-frame Panasonic for video: Panasonic Lumix S5IIX

Panasonic Lumix S5IIX at a glance:

• 24.2MP full frame sensor
• 779-point Hybrid PDAF
• 5-axis in-body stabilisation
• Up to 6K 30fps video recording
• $1,998 / £1,799 body only

The Lumix S5 II and Lumix S5II X are the first full frame Panasonic cameras that used phase detection autofocus instead of the firm’s slower proprietary Depth from Defocus (DFD) autofocus system.

The phase hybrid AF system combines phase detection for speed and contrast detection for accuracy, and 779 selectable AF points covering the entire frame. The subject detection modes include humans and animals, however no vehicle tracking is added like with the Lumix G9 II.

The processing engine delivers an impressive 200 continuous RAW+JPEG images in burst mode before needing to buffer when using UHS-II U3 SD cards.

The S5II-series noteworthy features for video are the built in cooling fan and Active IS recording. The fan above the sensor allows for long video recording times without an external fan unit. The S5IIX shoots up to 4K, 3.3K and FHD resolution video with no limitations in recording time. The in body image stabilisation supports ‘Active IS‘ for video recording, which meant to provide greater shake compensation by ‘anticipating’ and compensating for the up down motion associated with walking and allows smoother motion when tilting and panning.

Read our full review of the Panasonic Lumix S5II X here.

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Best MFT Panasonic camera for video: Panasonic Lumix GH7

At a glance:

• $2,200 / £2,000 body-only
• $2,800 / £2,500 with 12-60mm F2.8-4
• 25.2MP BSI-CMOS Four Thirds-type sensor
• ISO 100-25,600 (standard)
• Up to 75fps shooting
• 3.68m-dot, 0.8x OLED viewfinder
• 3in, 1.84m-dot fully articulated/tilting LCD
• 5.7K 60fps, C4K 120fps, FHD 240fps video 
• 5-axis in-body stabilisation, 7.5 stops

With Panasonic’s S series range of full frame cameras hogging the limelight in recent years, some predicted the company’s Lumix G series, which uses far smaller Micro Four Thirds sensors, would begin to fade away into irrelevance.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 banished such notions as a hugely impressive hybrid offering professional-level cinema camera features and performance at a price no rival could match. Relatively compact, user-friendly and easy to handle, it’s a hugely powerful creative tool for filmmakers, and solid for still photography too.

The new GH7 is all this and more: crucially, with the addition of Panasonic’s phase detection autofocus. Furthermore, its subject recognition system gains the ability to recognise trains and planes, bringing it closer into line with other brands. For video there’s now ProRes support, plus enhanced audio recording via the new DMW-XLR2 mic adapter.

Read our Panasonic Lumix GH7 review.

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Best Panasonic bridge camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ82D / FZ80D

At a glance:

• Bridge camera
• 18.1MP 1/2.3-inch MOS sensor
• 4K/30p video
• 20-1200mm equivalent f/2.8-f/5.9 lens (60x optical zoom), OIS
• $448 (FZ80D, US) £429 (FZ82D, UK/Europe)

Many photographers had assumed that Panasonic was just about done producing bridge cameras — long-zoom, SLR-styled compact cameras. However, July 2024 saw the release of the Lumix FZ82D (FZ80D in the US), a brand new bridge replacing the FZ80. Sure, the innards are mostly the same, with an 18.1MP 1/2.3-inch MOS sensor that looks undeniably dated compared even to modern smartphones. However, the FZ82D has one major thing going for it compared to other bridge cameras — availability. And you won’t catch many smartphones with a 60x optical zoom lens.

It’s fairly lightweight despite that big lens, making the Lumix FZ82D an excellent choice of camera for travel. You get that proper SLR-style “heft” without being weighed down too much, and it must be said that the experience of shooting on a proper camera with a grip and a physical shutter button is still so, so much better than shooting on a phone. Image quality is fine, if a little muted and drab in some situations. You’ll find that the lens does well in even daylight, and struggles in more challenging situations — bright sun, for instance, can cause some very unattractive flare.

The FZ82D requires some willingness to work within its limitations. However, its price point puts it much cheaper than not just cameras, but also most phones, and the versatility it gives you thanks to that big lens is inarguable.

Read our full Panasonic Lumix FZ82D / FZ80D review.

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Best Panasonic camera for vloggers: Panasonic Lumix GH5 II

At a glance:

• Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera
• 20.3 Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor
• 4:2:0 10-bit 4K/60p video recording
• Wireless and wired live streaming
• $1,198 / £999 body only

The long-awaited follow-up to the beloved GH5, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II is, like its predecessor, a flexible all-rounder with plenty for both videographers and photographers to like. It leans more to the video side, with its wide range of codecs, frame rates, resolutions and more to choose from making it a pro-level choice – even if the launch of the GH6 a few months later has taken the shine off somewhat. We think most filmmakers would be better off spending a little extra to get the more powerful GH6, but beyond the obvious greater affordability the GH5 II does have a couple of advantages over its big brother: it supports video live streaming and it’s around 100g lighter.

That makes it a good choice as a vlogging camera (its 6.5-stop 5-axis IBIS, full-size HDMI, vari-angle screen and ability to run via USB-C power delivery are appealing in this regard too), and content creators will also welcome its photography skills (including 6K/4K Photo) when making thumbnails and other still images.

If the GH5 II has weaknesses, it’s that it uses a contrast-detection autofocus system rather than a more advanced hybrid setup (not a deal-breaker by any means) and that its limited ISO range means it’s not a fantastic performer in low light conditions.

Read our Panasonic Lumix GH5 II review

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Best entry-level Panasonic mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix G100D

At a glance:

• Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera
• 20.3MP CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor
• 4K video at up to 30fps
• ISO 200-25,600 (expandable to ISO 100-25,600)
• $548 / £549 with 12-32mm lens, £469 body only

The original Panasonic Lumix G100 was the cheapest mirrorless model in the company’s entire range, aimed chiefly at younger photographers and vloggers upgrading from smartphones to dedicated camera gear. Small and lightweight (just 345g without a lens), the G100 boasted a number of vlogger-friendly features, but also featured a high-quality electronic viewfinder to appeal to photographers. One annoyance, however, was the fact that its connectivity port used the aging micro USB interface rather than the faster and more robust USB-C.

Panasonic has now corrected this with the release of the updated Lumix G100D, a camera that’s essentially identical, but adds USB-C connectivity. No doubt this was at least partly motivated by the EU common charger directive set to come into force at the end of 2024. However, the manufacturer also took the opportunity to improve the electronic viewfinder on the Lumix G100D. It’s now an OLED rather than an LCD. While the resolution is lower than it was – at 2.36 million dots rather than 3.68 million – the OLED upgrade makes for an overall better experience.

Otherwise, this is pretty much the same deal as the original G100 that first impressed our reviewer. It’s easy to handle and use, with a large grip on the front and thumb rest at the rear. Buttons and dials are thoughtfully located, while the rear screen can be tilted and flipped to face forward, making the camera ideal for vlogging and selfies. The G100D can record 4K footage at up to 30fps, and stabilise it too – although it does this electronically rather than optically. This results in a severe 1.8x crop when shooting 4K. 4K clips are also limited to 10 minutes in length, but if you can work around these limits you’ll find this to be a solid all-rounder at a really competitive price.

Read our Panasonic Lumix G100 review

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Best mid-range Panasonic mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix G90 / G95

At a glance:

• Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera
• 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor
• 4K video at up to 30fps
• In-body image stabilisation
• Around $535 used (body-only) / £430

A slightly scaled-down version of the premium, stills-focused G9, the Panasonic Lumix G90 is a mid-range Micro Four Thirds model that delivers solid performance across both photo and video. It’s a rugged, weather-proof camera with a DSLR-style shape and comfy handling, and features include IBIS that adds up to 5 stops of compensation when shooting handheld, whether the lens you’re using has its own stabilisation or not.

Able to record 4K video at up to 30fps (and output 8-bit 4:2:2 video to an external recorder via micro HDMI) and equipped with a touchscreen that can be flipped and twisted to face fully forwards, it’s clear that the G90 has been made with vloggers in mind, while shifting resolution down to Full HD allows for 120fps recording and slow motion playback. Image quality is solid across the board.

Note: at the time of writing new G90s appear to be in very limited supply, suggesting it’s about to be discontinued. It’s still available used or refurbished, of course – but do bear in mind that’s it’s one of the older models here if you’re considering purchasing one.

Read our Panasonic Lumix G90 review

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Best rangefinder-style Panasonic mirrorless camera: Panasonic Lumix GX9

At a glance:

• Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera
• 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor
• 4K video at up to 30fps
• In-body image stabilisation
• $698 with 12-60mm lens / £529

While most of Panasonic’s mirrorless models get their design cues from DSLRs, the company also does a small line of rangefinder-style camera bodies. The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is one of these, with a flatter, slimmer profile, no large hand grip and no central ‘bump’ to house its EVF and hot shoe. Instead there’s a tiny bump for the user’s right hand to wrap around and the hot shoe and viewfinder are incorporated right into the main body. The viewfinder and screen do tilt, though, giving them a welcome extra measure of flexibility, and there’s room for IBIS, which is impressive in such a compact body. The small size and quiet operation makes this a good model for street photography.

The cramped design does cause some handling issues and the default control layout is awkward and poorly thought-out. Users can customise controls to ameliorate this somewhat, but Panasonic should be doing better. The 16:9 ratio viewfinder is another odd touch; it suits video shooting well, but wastes lots of space when it comes to still photography.

Read our Panasonic Lumix GX9 review

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Best entry-level Panasonic travel zoom: Panasonic Lumix TZ100 / ZS100

At a glance:

• Compact camera with 1-inch 20.1MP sensor
• 25-250mm equivalent f/2.8-5.9 Leica DC lens
• ISO 80-25,600 (extended)
• 4K 30p video
• $650 / £479 (used)

Deservedly, the Panasonic Lumix TZ cameras (or Lumix ZS if you’re in the US) are some of the most popular travel zooms around. While the Lumix TZ100 is not the biggest, flashiest or newest, we reckon its combination of intuitive controls, a big zoom range, a pocketable body and a friendly price tag (even more so since release) make it the best choice for most users.

Covering a huge zoom range from a wide 25mm to a considerably telephoto 250mm, the Lumix TZ100 can shoot pretty much anything. What’s more, its 1-inch sensor (an upgrade from previous TZ cameras) means you’ll notice a tangible difference in image quality compared to your smartphone. Just be aware that the lens aperture of f/2.8-5.9 is pretty modest, meaning you might sometimes struggle to get sharp shots when the light goes low. Though the Hybrid 5-axis optical/electronic image stabilisation does help somewhat in this department, as we noted in our full review of the camera back when it was released.

The future of compact cameras is uncertain, and we may not get many – or any – more TZ cameras after the latest TZ200, which adds a longer zoom than the TZ100, at the cost of an even narrower maximum aperture. Still, as long as the Lumix TZ100 is still available, new or used, we’ll keep recommending it to anyone who’s looking for a well-made travel zoom camera.

Read our Panasonic Lumix TZ100 / ZS100 review

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Best full-frame Panasonic camera: Panasonic Lumix S5

At a glance:

• L Mount mirrorless camera
• 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
• 4K video at up to 60fps
• $1,198 / $1,249 body only

Panasonic is still a relative newcomer to the full-frame game, with its L Mount range only arriving in 2019. Of the handful of L Mount cameras we’ve reviewed thus far, the Panasonic Lumix S5 has the most overall appeal, and that’s mostly down to its relatively compact, lightweight size and excellent DSLR-style handling, for which there is little compromise to performance or features. In fact, autofocus feels snappier here than on the S1 and S1R, despite the general image quality being on a par with the (much larger) S1.

The S5 comes with IBIS to stabilise any attached lens, a rugged and weather-sealed magnesium alloy build and a wide range of options for videographers including HDR, V-Log and S&Q (slow and quick) recording, RAW output and the ability to use anamorphic lenses and (with Panasonic’s adapter) pro-level microphones. That you get all this in a body that’s compact and lightweight feels like the S5 is Panasonic properly finding its full-frame feet – and hopefully a taste of even better things to come in the range. As mentioned above, Panasonic recently announced the S5 II, featuring phase detection AF – full review to follow.

Read our Panasonic Lumix S5 review

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Best full-frame Panasonic camera for stills photography: Panasonic Lumix S1R

At a glance:

• L Mount mirrorless camera
• 47.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-25,600 (expandable to 50-51,200)
• 4K video at up to 60fps
• $2,498 / £2,900 body only

Along with the S1, the Panasonic Lumix S1R was the vanguard of Panasonic’s 2019 arrival in the full-frame mirrorless market. A few years on, this large and bulky camera (which offers almost no size or weight advantage over a full-frame DSLR) is less likeable than the newer, cheaper, more compact S5, but it does have one major advantage: its high-resolution sensor, with a pixel count of 8368 x 5584. This of course captures beautifully sharp images at its 47.3MP native resolution, but via clever stitching can also create truly stunning 187MP shots. The S1R is less video-centric than either the S5 or S1, but can record 4K at up to 60fps too.

In terms of design it’s every bit the premium enthusiast’s camera it sets out to be. The body is rugged and weather-sealed and the 5.76-million dot electronic viewfinder may well be the sharpest and punchiest of any current camera on the market. The IBIS is effective; the autofocus less so, feeling particularly hesitant in low light.

Read our Panasonic Lumix S1R review

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Best full-frame Panasonic camera to buy second-hand: Panasonic Lumix S1

At a glance:

• L Mount mirrorless camera
• 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
• 4K video at up to 60fps
• $2,000/ £1,799 body only

The Panasonic Lumix S1 was one of the first full-frame cameras made by the company, and the arrival of the S5 has seen its appeal fade. That’s not to say this isn’t an impressive camera in its own way, benefitting from a healthy selection of video shooting options, impressive 5-axis IBIS, rock-solid (and weatherproof) build quality and thoughtful position of its controls, which puts everything important at your fingertips.

It does have some slight advantages over the S5 too, in the form of faster continuous shooting and a sharper, clearer EVF. Now that it’s available at a cheaper price than launch and widely available used, that does make it a potentially tempting buy over the S5 – if only in certain circumstances.

The S1’s heft and size are an issue, though: with a premium lens attached it’s just as large and heavy as a full-frame DSLR, which immediately eliminates one of the main advantages of choosing a mirrorless full-frame camera.

Read our Panasonic Lumix S1 review

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Best overall Panasonic camera to buy second-hand: Panasonic Lumix GH5

At a glance:

• Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera
• 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor
• ISO 100-25,600 (extended)
• 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video recording
• from $679 / £565 used, body only

When it comes to video-focused Lumix G series cameras, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 has now been superseded by both the GH5 II and the GH6. Panasonic has retained it as a current range model, however, and while we don’t think you should buy it brand-new over either of the aforementioned models, its age and popularity make it readily available and affordable as a second-hand purchase.

The GH5 is something of a modern classic, prized for being one of the first small mirrorless cameras to deliver a professional 4K video recording experience alongside strong still photography performance. With IBIS and a clear, detailed EVF on board, as well as excellent handling and a user-friendly control layout, it remains an impressive hybrid model today, particularly for multi-disciplinary content creators who want to dabble in both movies and photos without major compromise. If you can pick it up cheaply used or refurbished, it’s a fantastic camera with bags of creative potential.

Read our Panasonic Lumix GH5 review

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Best Panasonic premium compact camera: Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

At a glance:

• Compact camera with 17MP Four Thirds MOS sensor
• 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens
• ISO 100-25,600 (extended)
• 4K video at up to 30fps
• from $958 used / £844 used

Despite being several years old, the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II remains a fantastic premium compact that puts mirrorless-level performance in a lightweight and affordable fixed zoom lens device. Compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket and just 393g, it has a large sensor and wide maximum aperture of f/1.7-2.8 (depending on your focal length) allowing it to keep shutter speeds fast and low light performance impressive.

Its standard zoom range can handle most types of shot you might want to take, making this a fine choice if you’re travelling and want to keep things neat and tidy rather than cart about a body and several lenses. It can also record 4K video (with a slight crop), but the unarticulated screen does restrict its use as a vlogging tool.

The LX100 II was released in 2018, making it high time for Panasonic to unveil a replacement. Until it does, this remains the company’s most desirable compact camera, and one that you should be able to find fairly easily used or refurbished for even less than its MSRP.

Read our Panasonic Lumix LX100 II review

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How to choose the best Panasonic camera

Before buying a Panasonic camera there are a number of features and functions to consider.

Firstly, what type of camera are you looking for? If it’s one with a smaller sensor, smaller body, smaller lenses and (typically) a smaller price tag, then a Lumix G series mirrorless camera or a premium Lumix compact camera will probably best suit your needs. Panasonic’s mirrorless cameras are part of the Micro Four Thirds system, and will take any of the best Micro Four Thirds lenses, as well as the best Micro Four Thirds zoom lenses.

If you have a larger budget and expect better image quality, particularly in challenging situations like low light, then a full-frame Lumix S series mirrorless camera might be more your speed. With larger sensors and high-quality lenses, Panasonic’s S series models are generally larger, heavier and more expensive than their G series cousins, pitched towards serious enthusiasts and professionals in both photo and video.

Other things to consider apply across all types of Panasonic camera. ISO is a measure of light sensitivity (with higher ISO models generally working better in low light conditions), while autofocus and continuous shooting speed are important considerations for those looking to photography fast-moving subjects like sport or wildlife.

Another thing to look out for is in-body image stabilisation, or IBIS. Many Panasonic cameras below offer it, and it ensures that you get some measure of motion compensation no matter what lens is attached – a key boon when shooting videos or photos handheld, or when using longer exposures in low light. Some cameras without IBIS still get the benefit of image stabilisation, but it might be digital-based (which results in a forced crop), or dependent on the lens attached.

Contemporary Panasonic cameras shoot 4K video as a matter of course, and also benefit from clever 4K Photo modes that allow you to extract high-quality stills from the footage. Pretty much whichever Panasonic camera you choose, you’re going to get a solid video shooter – however there are some particular models, like the Lumix GH series, that are particularly well-optimised for filmmakers.

If you’re still deciding on the type of camera you want to buy, check out our guide to DSLR vs mirrorless: which is best.

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Original article by Sam Kieldsen, with contributions from AP staff.

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If you’re going for a Micro Four Thirds camera, make sure you have a look at the best Micro Four Thirds lenses available. For more options, have a look at our latest buying guides, and reviews.

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