1:10 Jesus Christ finally someone other than me!
Yes! Yes! Turning to activate the lens is complete garbage! That’s not compact! That’s like calling a car compact because you can fold it up to park in smaller places, but needing to stretch it out a lot to make it drivable.

Shame. Really dumb and I’m so frustrated that no one finds this an issue. How is it even a compact lens anymore?

????? GAHHHHHHHHH

look, you're complaining about physics here. there's no way to make a lens that small & compact without variable aperture. do you know what aperture is? it's the opening that the light goes through. you can't have it be big and have a small lens.. and make it zoom. the 20-60 is compact and unparalleled in any ecosystem. so is, to have a compact lens that small go that wide (18mm). ffs have you ever held a canon rf lens? this lens is amazing for what it is and the price will come down quickly... any brand new lens costs a bit extra.

Are you serious? A 2.8 aperture at this size??? It's a miracle they managed to make a full frame zoom starting at 18mm at this size. And the quality is really good as well...

Man, it's a full frame... What were you expecting tbh? Lenses are BIG

Let me know when you find a 10-700mm pancake lens for full frame that has constant f1.4 aperture!

This lens is the smallest full frame zoom lens in the world. Yes, you have to rotate it to get it to slide out and use it, but that's also the principle of carrying it with the S9 in your sweatshirt or jacket pocket. With the small compactness logically comes limitations like poorer luminosity, vignetting, but the output from it is sharp and doesn't breathe during video. It costs half as much in a set, so I don't understand the complaining. This is glass for people who travel not for professional work.

The problem isn’t the lens, it’s the reviewer. He’s not a photographer. He’s a reviewer. With no knowledge of lens design. This lens is fantastic for the s9.

I think that‘s a lens panasonic designed for s9 specificly. Even it has to be extended when using it. Still cant deny the fact that it‘s still a handy lens to carry around. Requiring a fullframe compact zoom lens with weather sealing to go under $500 at retail price is kinda wild😂

Anyone buying the S9 should absolutely add this kit lens and total for both is only $1699 right now.  It's incredible they were able to make an 18-40 zoom this compact.The lens has excellent image quality which you did not even bother to cover (like Duh). I do think Panasonic needs to pretty quickly develop smaller primes likely at f/2 or 2.8 for the S9, but this totally works for now.

Where in the hell are you going to get a low aperture zoom lens for $500? You keep acting like this lens is over priced 😂 because it's a variable aperture lens but any auto focus low aperture zoom lens is going to cost way more than $500. Even the Sigmas.

Is this a parody or is it Gen Z finishes school and finds out!

When purchased as a kit the lens costs about 200€. Amazon is selling the camera with the 18-40mm for 1400€ now. This combo makes a great travel or content creation camera!

F2.8 or f3.5 ,compact full frame lens , for $500? How?  Do people know how lenses are made? You can’t make a 2.8 apurture on a FF zoom lens and have it be compact.

This definitely isn't a $500 lens, but what full frame zoom has a constant aperture for under $500 for any mount/ brand?

appreciate the honest review.  Looking to get the S9 and it'll be my first foray into L-mount, its gonna be for traval so i might get the 18-40 as the kit. Good to hear some real use perspectives.

We can never get a fast and compact zoom lens. On the other hand, the l-mount needs more fast pancake prime lenses with autofocus

You right man, you right. 18-40 is actually a 2.2x zoom tho, and frankly, I want something like this. Points you made are the truth.  It's just not worth the stand-alone cost, for compact shooting, or for shooting in low light.

Impressive lens good optical quality and small would certainly buy as a extra from my 50mm and 24-105 mm

The 20 60 kit len alone cost that much. But overtime u can just pick it up for 200$

Really good to see people Express their True Experiences for others to learn !!! So good of you to do so !!! I think this Panasonic 18-40mm f4.5-6.3 lens is ONLY justifiable when it comes as a Kit
Lens ; as it is shipping now with S9  for nearly the same price as the 20-60 mm Kit lens for us here in India .