Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens price to be higher than $3,000

The Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens price has showed up on the web, courtesy of the rumor mill, suggesting that Micro Four Thirds adopters will be forced to dig deep into their pockets.

Panasonic has unveiled the Lumix GH3 camera at the Photokina 2012 event. The occasion has also been used by the company to tease a couple of lenses: the 42mm f/1.2 prime and the 150mm f/2.8 telephoto prime.

These two lenses have been scheduled for a release date in late 2013 or early 2014. According to recent information, 2014 is a more viable option, although they will get a formal and official announcement by the end of this year.

Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens is rumored to become available in early 2014 for a price bigger than £2,500.

Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens price will be bigger than $3,000

Until then, trusted sources have revealed that the Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens price will stand at £2,500. Since the currency is expressed in pounds, it means that the telephoto prime optic will cost more than $3,000 and €3,000 in the United States and Europe, respectively.

Another possibility is that prices in Europe and the UK will be higher than the one in the US, so North American photographers might not have to pay three thousand bucks on this product.

Olympus 150mm f/2.0 lens is already cheaper and better

The Panasonic 150mm f/2.8 lens will provide a 35mm focal length equivalent of 300mm. Additionally, the 42.5mm f/1.2 will offer a 35mm equivalent of 85mm.

Both will be pretty capable as their apertures are very fast. However, it is worth noting that Olympus is currently selling the 150mm f/2.0 for “merely” $2,499 at Amazon and B&H Photo Video.

The Olympus 150mm f/2.0 has been available for $2,999 at launch, but those times are long gone and Panasonic may no afford to lose more customers, especially considering the fact that the competition offers a faster lens.

Panasonic GX7 might save the day

Panasonic may still be able to attract a number of new customers thanks to the upcoming GX7. The GX1 replacement is rumored to be announced in August along with a nice set of specifications.

The Lumix GX7 might come packed with an 18-megapixel sensor, built-in pop-up flash, and integrated tiltable electronic viewfinder. It would not be a surprise if the 150mm f/2.8 becomes official along with the new camera, but MFT fans should not fall victims to wishful thinking.