Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II Power O.I.S.

The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II Power O.I.S. is a splash- and dust-resistant telephoto zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds system, covering a 100–300mm focal range with built-in Power O.I.S. stabilisation, a 7-blade aperture, 67mm filter thread, and a total weight of just 520g.

Key Specifications

• Mount: Micro Four Thirds — fits all MFT-mount bodies from Panasonic and Olympus/OM System
• Focal length: 100–300mm (equivalent to 200–600mm on full frame)
• Maximum aperture: f/4 at wide end, f/5.6 at tele end
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Aperture blades: 7
• Image stabilisation: Power O.I.S. (switchable without leaving the viewfinder)
• Autofocus: Yes — faster motor than the first-generation version
• Minimum focus distance: 1.5m
• Filter thread: 67mm
• Weight: 520g
• Weather sealing: Splash- and dust-resistant

What makes the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II special?

The Mark II isn't just a cosmetic refresh. Compared to the original version, it adds proper splash- and dust-resistance — a genuine upgrade if you shoot wildlife in unpredictable weather or sports from the sidelines. The O.I.S. system was also improved, and the autofocus motor runs noticeably faster, which matters when you're tracking a bird in flight or a cyclist rounding a corner.

Within the Micro Four Thirds long-zoom segment, this lens sits between the budget-friendly Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II and the premium Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Power OIS. Against the Olympus 75-300mm II, the Panasonic has a faster maximum aperture and — according to multiple independent tests — delivers sharper results across its entire aperture range. Against the Leica 100-400mm, you trade the extra reach and Leica optics for a more compact package and a lower price point on the used market.

At 520g this is a light kit for the focal length it covers. That 300mm on a Micro Four Thirds body gives you an effective 600mm field of view — genuinely useful reach for wildlife and sports, in a bag you can carry all day without a second thought. The Power O.I.S. switch is positioned so you can toggle it without pulling your eye from the viewfinder, which is a small but practical design choice that adds up over a long shoot.

Who is the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II for?

This lens is a strong match for mirrorless shooters who need serious reach without hauling serious weight. A few specific cases where it earns its place in the bag:

• Wildlife photographers — 600mm equivalent reach, weather sealing to handle a sudden downpour, and a 1.5m minimum focus distance that still lets you fill the frame with smaller subjects like birds on a branch.
• Sports shooters — The faster AF motor of the Mark II keeps up with moving subjects, and the zoom range covers everything from mid-field action to tight portraits at the finish line.
• Travel photographers — 520g is light enough to carry alongside a standard zoom without tipping the scales. The compact dimensions mean it fits in most travel bags without dedicated padding.
• Teleconverter users — Compatible with Panasonic's DMW teleconverters, so you can push beyond 300mm when the situation calls for it.
• Videographers — Power O.I.S. helps keep handheld footage stable at long focal lengths, and the quiet AF motor won't bleed into on-camera audio.

If you already own a Panasonic body like the Lumix G9 II or GH6, in-body stabilisation combines with the lens O.I.S. for even more effective shake reduction at 300mm.

Buying a used Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II

A pre-owned copy of this lens is a smart buy — it's a zoom that typically sees intermittent use rather than daily punishment, and the Mark II's splash-resistant construction holds up well over time. That said, a few things are worth checking before you commit.

What to inspect:

• Zoom barrel: Extend and retract the zoom several times. It should move smoothly with no grinding or wobble. A loose barrel can be a sign of previous impact damage.
• Front and rear elements: Look at the glass under a bright light at an angle — minor dust is normal and rarely affects images, but deep scratches or fungus (white web-like marks inside the barrel) are red flags.
• O.I.S. function: Toggle the stabilisation switch and listen for the characteristic quiet hum. Switch it off and confirm the image in the viewfinder becomes less stable — that confirms the O.I.S. unit is working.
• AF speed: Attach the lens to a body and run the autofocus through its range. On the Mark II it should be noticeably snappy; sluggish or hunting AF can indicate a motor issue.
• Weather sealing integrity: Check the rubber gaskets around the mount and zoom ring for cracking or deformation. Compromised seals mean the splash-proof designation no longer holds.

Every second-hand lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed so you can see the actual copy you're buying, and each comes with a minimum 12 months warranty. The exact warranty period is shown on the individual listing.

Using the Panasonic 100-300mm II with a teleconverter

One question that comes up regularly: can you push this lens further with a teleconverter? Panasonic's DMW-TC14 (1.4×) and DMW-TC20 (2.0×) converters are compatible, giving you up to an effective 1200mm full-frame equivalent with the 2× — though you'll want to check your body's AF performance at smaller apertures when stacking converter and lens. It's a specialist setup, but for birds at distance it can be genuinely useful when the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH Power OIS is out of budget.