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Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£6,330Lens mount:L-MountMaximum focal length:280 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):4Optical image stabilization:yesMaximum angle of view:26.4 °

Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.9

▲Better than 53% of camera-lenses

6.7

▲Better than 56% of camera-lenses

7.8

▼Worse than 79% of camera-lenses

6.7
Low-light photography
Low-light photography
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for low-light photography performance.
When it matters
When image quality, high display fidelity, and reliable cameras are essential for your daily workflow.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
70.0%
5.2
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
10
Optical image stabilization
6.1
Travel
Travel
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Evaluates core hardware and software specifications for travel performance.
When it matters
When prioritizing long battery endurance, compact weight, and dependable on-the-go connectivity.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
30.0%
1.0
Lens length
25.0%
5.1
Lens diameter
25.0%
10
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
10
Optical image stabilization

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Technical Specifications of camera lens Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4

6.9

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Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

telephoto zoom

Lens mount

L-Mount

Sensor format coverage

Full-frame

Filter thread size

82 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

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Optics & Aperture

6.8

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Minimum focal length

90 mm

Maximum focal length

280 mm

Optical zoom

3.1xx

Maximum angle of view

26.4 °

Minimum angle of view

9.1 °

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Focus & Controls

6.0

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Focus motor

STM, linear motor

Minimum focus distance

Maximum reproduction ratio

Full-time manual focus

Internal focusing

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Stabilization

7.3

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Optical image stabilization

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

Build & Handling

7.1

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Weight

Lens length

Lens diameter

Weather sealing (splashproof)

Metal mount

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Lab Scores

8.0

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DxOMark overall score

?

DxOMark sharpness score

?

DxOMark transmission

?

DxOMark distortion

?

DxOMark vignetting

?

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Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 vs the average camera lens

Why is Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 better than the average camera lens?

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Has optical image stabilization
Optical image stabilization
yes
▲ Better than 71% of models
This camera lens has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Has fluorine coating
Fluorine coating
yes
▲ Better than 67% of models
This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
5 more low-dispersion elements
Low-dispersion elements
7
★ Better than 97% of models
Market range: <0 – >4
This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (7 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
7 vs 2
Has internal zoom
Internal zoom
yes
★ Better than 90% of models
This camera lens has internal zoom, the average camera lens does not. 10.1% of camera lenses support internal zoom.
Maintains length during zooming.

5 more low-dispersion elements
Low-dispersion elements
7
★ Better than 97% of models
Market range: <0 – >4
This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (7 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
7 vs 2

Has internal zoom
Internal zoom
yes
★ Better than 90% of models
This camera lens has internal zoom, the average camera lens does not. 10.1% of camera lenses support internal zoom.
Maintains length during zooming.

Has optical image stabilization
Optical image stabilization
yes
▲ Better than 71% of models
This camera lens has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.

Has fluorine coating
Fluorine coating
yes
▲ Better than 67% of models
This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.

Why is Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 worse than the average camera lens?

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1,440 g heavier
Weight
1950 g
▼ Worse than 95% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (1950 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
1,950 g vs 510 g
1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
4
▼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
4 vs 2.8
145.75 mm longer lens
Lens length
238 mm
▼ Worse than 95% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (238 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
238 mm vs 92.25 mm
2 fewer aspherical elements
Aspherical elements
0
▼ Worse than 70% of models
Market range: <0 – >3
This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
0 vs 2
11 mm wider lens barrel
Lens diameter
88 mm
▼ Worse than 80% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (88 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
88 mm vs 77 mm
0.5 stops weaker stabilization
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
3.5 stops
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Market range: <3 stops – >5.5 stops
This camera lens has a lower stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (3.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.
3.5 stops vs 4 stops
0.3 m longer minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance
0.6 m
▼ Worse than 75% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.6 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
0.6 m vs 0.3 m
11.94x more expensive
Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 is more expensive than the average camera lens (£6,330 vs £530).
£6,330 vs £530

11.94x more expensive
Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 is more expensive than the average camera lens (£6,330 vs £530).
£6,330 vs £530
34.2% worse value for money
Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (5.13 vs 6.9).
5.13 vs 6.89
2.7x less popular
Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 is less popular than the average camera lens (2.7 vs 7.3).
2.7 vs 7.29
7% lower user score
User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
▼▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4
the average camera lens
Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4 has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.81 vs 8.360).
7.81 vs 8.36

1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
4
▼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
4 vs 2.8
2 fewer aspherical elements
Aspherical elements
0
▼ Worse than 70% of models
Market range: <0 – >3
This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
0 vs 2

0.3 m longer minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance
0.6 m
▼ Worse than 75% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.6 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
0.6 m vs 0.3 m

0.5 stops weaker stabilization
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
3.5 stops
▼ Worse than 79% of models
Market range: <3 stops – >5.5 stops
This camera lens has a lower stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (3.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.
3.5 stops vs 4 stops

1,440 g heavier
Weight
1950 g
▼ Worse than 95% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (1950 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
1,950 g vs 510 g
145.75 mm longer lens
Lens length
238 mm
▼ Worse than 95% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (238 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
238 mm vs 92.25 mm
11 mm wider lens barrel
Lens diameter
88 mm
▼ Worse than 80% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (88 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
88 mm vs 77 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

overgaard.dk

10/12/2018

Summary of the review

Leica SL Review - Page 6 - Large Lenses (Testing the 90-280mm)

Leica SL (Typ 601) Review Summary The Leica SL (Typ 601) represents a pivotal shift for the brand as a professional, full-frame mirrorless camera system built around a wide 51.6mm L-mount bayonet. Designed to fulfill Oskar Barnack’s foundational philosophy of "small negative, large print," the camera's 24-megapixel CMOS sensor delivers exceptional detail and clarity. Prominent optical strengths include ultra-fast, highly accurate contrast-detection autofocus systems and specialized SL lenses engineered to resolve up to 100 megapixels, allowing photographers to crop heavily while maintaining peak image quality. Additionally, it features a massive 4.4-million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF), high-speed 11 fps continuous shooting, weather-sealed construction, and highly advanced internal 4K video recording with 10-bit external output capability. However, the Leica SL system introduces significant physical trade-offs. The main drawback is the substantial weight and size of both the camera body and its high-performance SL prime and zoom lenses, which conflict with the traditionally compact footprint of the Leica M system. The lenses require larger physical focus groups to accommodate the rapid autofocus electronics, sacrificing portable everyday carry mechanics. Furthermore, the Typ 601 entirely lacks...

l-camera-forum.com

20/02/2017

Summary of the review

Quick review of the 90-280 and S to SL adapter

The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm lens offers stellar, fast autofocus with effective, though sometimes over-stabilized, performance. While delivering exceptional image quality, the lens is notably large and heavy, making it cumbersome for mobile use. The Leica S-Adapter L is a solidly built, well-engineered solution for mounting medium-format lenses onto the SL body, offering reliable functionality. However, this adapter introduces a loud, mechanical autofocus noise compared to native lenses.

stevehuffphoto.com

16/05/2016

Summary of the review

The Leica 90-280 f/2.8-f/4 Lens review with the SL

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-f/4 is a true optical masterpiece that delivers professional, medium-format-like image quality with exceptional sharpness, high contrast, and smooth bokeh across its entire focal range. Designed to work natively with the full-frame Leica SL camera body, the lens features a silent, lightning-fast internal autofocus system that accurately locks onto targets faster than competitors like the Sony A7RII. Its optical image stabilization (OIS) is incredibly robust, allowing photographers to easily capture crisp, blur-free images handheld even at the maximum telephoto length of 280mm. In side-by-side performance comparisons, the lens strikes a premier balance of vibrant color pop and stunning detail resolution, outperforming standard budget zooms and making it ideal for event and wedding photographers. However, the lens has two glaring drawbacks: its massive physical footprint and premium price tag. Reaching a length that dwarfs the camera body and mimics the look of a bazooka or weapon, it is the largest, heaviest lens the reviewer has ever tested, making it a grueling choice for all-day carrying or hiking. Furthermore, its steep cost of $6,395 places it entirely out...

fotointern.ch

03/04/2016

Summary of the review

First impressions of the Leica Apo-Vario-Elmarit-SL 2.8-4.0/90-280mm

This practical review examines the Leica Apo-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280mm f/2.8–4.0 lens, tested alongside the Leica SL mirrorless camera during corporate portrait shoots and low-light outdoor activities. The reviewer notes that despite its large appearance online, the lens is surprisingly compact and matches a standard 70–200mm DSLR lens in physical size. A key highlight is the optical quality, as the lens delivers exceptional detail, rich colors, and corner-to-corner sharpness straight from the RAW files without needing digital correction. Combined with the camera's fast tracking autofocus, the lens efficiently freezes fast action, while its short minimum focusing distance makes it highly versatile for close-up shots. The lens offers several key advantages but has minor drawbacks. On the positive side, it functions with an internal zoom mechanism that maintains a constant length across the focal range. It features excellent weather sealing for challenging wet environments, alongside a highly practical built-in tripod foot that rotates 360 degrees and clicks precisely every 90 degrees for fast orientation changes. Furthermore, its shared 82mm filter thread matches other SL lenses, allowing the use of identical screw-on filters. Conversely,...

leica.paris-montmartre.fr

15/04/2016

Summary of the review

90-280 SL First Look - Elle et Lui Photographie

The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8–4 zoom lens delivers exceptional image quality that rivals fixed focal length lenses, maintaining high definition and sharp color rendering even at its maximum 280mm focal length. Tested at maximum aperture, the lens produces a pleasant bokeh across various apertures and ensures perfect focus accuracy. Its standout feature is an incredibly fast, precise, and completely silent internal autofocus mechanism. It is capable of locking focus instantly in a fraction of a second, significantly outperforming competitors like the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Additionally, because of the internal focusing system, the lens center of gravity remains perfectly balanced when mounted on a Leica SL body. Despite these strong performance advantages, the lens suffers from notable physical and operational disadvantages. The reviewer initially held a highly negative preconception due to its heavy, bulky, and cumbersome size, which directly compromises overall portability. Operationally, the autofocus mechanism can struggle and endlessly hunt without locking onto a subject when aimed at low-contrast targets, such as a plain grey sky. This requires...

mpb.com

No date available

Summary of the review

Leica 90-280mm f/2.8-4 APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL

The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 is a premium, weather-sealed L-mount telephoto zoom delivering exceptional, prime-like optical performance with seven anomalous partial dispersion elements for high-contrast, sharp images. Key advantages include internal, fast linear autofocus, 3.5 stops of image stabilization, and constant barrel length. Primary drawbacks include its heavy 1.95 kg (4.3 lbs) weight, which can cause handheld fatigue, and a variable maximum aperture that shifts from f/2.8 to f/4 at the 280mm end. Despite a high price point, this lens represents a premier option for L-mount wildlife and sports photography.

fotografidigitali.it

12/01/2017

Summary of the review

Leica SL, full review of the "Pro" mirrorless camera (optical analysis of the 90-280mm)

The Leica SL is a high-end full-frame mirrorless camera featuring a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter, powered by a Maestro II processor. Designed to challenge top-tier 35mm DSLRs, it delivers an impressive continuous shooting speed of 11 frames per second, 4K video recording, and a maximum sensitivity of 50,000 ISO. Performance is further bolstered by an exceptionally responsive autofocus system that clocks subjects in under 0.2 seconds and boasts a minimal shutter lag of 45 milliseconds. Additionally, it offers a robust build, dual SD card slots, a crisp 4.4M-dot electronic viewfinder, and versatility through native L-mount lenses or various Leica system adapters. However, the camera falls short of competing sports flagship DSLRs due to significant buffer and writing constraints. When shooting in RAW (DNG) or DNG+JPEG, the buffer capacity drops sharply to about 34 shots, and write times can stretch up to a grueling 90 seconds, making it easy to saturate during fast-paced action. Despite its swift performance, the autofocus relies purely on contrast detection rather than phase detection, which is a drawback for a professional body....

juzaphoto.com

07/03/2024

Summary of the review

Leica SL3 review: Field test with the 90-280mm f/2.8-4

The Leica SL3 represents a solid upgrade over its predecessor, shifting into the high-resolution territory with a 60-megapixel full-frame sensor that balances outstanding image quality and immense detail with up to 14 stops of dynamic range. Leica has focused heavily on refined ergonomics, delivering a slightly lighter, more compact body with certified IP54 weather sealing and an intuitive interface designed for one-handed operation. Notable advancements include the addition of a much-needed tilting screen, a highly detailed 5.7-million-dot electronic viewfinder, dual card slots supporting CFexpress Type B, and 8K video capabilities. Additionally, the inclusion of phase-detection autofocus marks a significant improvement for the L-mount system, while the camera's choice of the universal DNG format ensures instant RAW file compatibility across modern editing software. Despite these strengths, the Leica SL3 is not tailored as an all-rounder and comes with noticeable limitations, particularly for action photography. Its continuous burst rate is quite restrictive, managing only 4 to 5 frames per second when maintaining maximum quality and autofocus. While it can push up to 15 fps using the electronic shutter, the sensor's slow readout...

shoot.be

21/03/2016

Summary of the review

Review: Leica SL (Typ 601) - Including hands-on experience with the 90-280mm

The Leica SL (Typ 601) is a 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless system camera designed to compete directly with professional DSLRs from Canon and Nikon. Built around an L-mount shared with Leica's APS-C systems, the camera features a rugged, weather-sealed chassis that mimics the ergonomics and hefty size of a traditional SLR, weighing a notable 850 grams (or up to two kilograms when paired with the 24-90mm standard zoom lens). It is equipped with an exceptional 4.4-megapixel electronic viewfinder (EVF) operating at 60 fps, a 3-inch touchscreen, and a contrast-based autofocus system capable of a rapid 12 frames per second burst rate. Additionally, the camera supports high-quality 4K video recording at 30 fps, includes built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, and outputs images in the universal DNG raw format. A standout advantage highlighted in the review is the camera's image quality; the omission of an optical low-pass filter allows the SL to deliver pin-sharp files filled with rich detail and a wide dynamic range. The EVF is praised as arguably the best on the market, performing seamlessly like an optical viewfinder. However, the camera...

Third-party reviews

Based on 4 buyer reviews from online shops.

Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

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What we like about Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4

Fantastic image quality with high sharpness and contrast across the entire zoom range
Lightning-fast, accurate, and near-silent internal autofocus system
Excellent build quality with robust, weather-sealed construction
Highly effective optical image stabilization (up to 3.5 stops)
Internal zooming design prevents weight balance shift and increases durability
Versatile and unique focal range that replaces both 70-200mm and 70-300mm lenses
Stunning bokeh and apochromatic (APO) design that minimizes chromatic aberration
Close minimum focus distance for a telephoto lens (0.6m at 90mm)

What we don't like about Leica APO Vario Elmarit SL 90 280mm F2 8 4

Significant weight (approx. 1.7kg to 1.95kg) makes it tiring for handheld use over long periods
Large physical dimensions (gigantic size) can make it cumbersome to carry
Premium Leica price point is a major barrier for many users
Variable maximum aperture (f/2.8-4) instead of a constant f/2.8
Minimalist design lacks physical AF/MF or stabilization switches on the lens barrel
Tripod mount is not Arca-Swiss compatible by default

Verdict

The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 is a high-performance telephoto zoom lens for the L-mount system, featuring a complex optical design of 23 elements in 17 groups with seven anomalous partial dispersion elements to eliminate chromatic aberrations. Key characteristics include a dual internal focusing system powered by linear stepping motors for near-silent, rapid autofocus, and an integrated optical image stabilization (OIS) system providing up to 3.5 stops of compensation. Its primary advantages are exceptional sharpness across the entire zoom range, a robust weather-sealed construction with AquaDura coatings, and a fixed physical length that does not change during zooming or focusing. However, the lens is notably heavy at 1.71 kg (3.76 lbs), occupies a large physical footprint, and carries a premium price point typical of professional Leica optics.

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