Conclusion

The Panasonic LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. is an excellent macro lens, offering true 1:1 magnification in a small and light yet solidly-built package. Some people will find the 60mm effective focal length a little limiting, and the lack of weather-sealing is disappointing, but in all other regards this lens is an outstanding performer.

Build quality is very good considering the affordable price tag and the light weight, with the mostly metal construction inspiring confidence. Given that it's a macro lens which covers a very wide focal distance, it's fast to focus on the DMC-GX7 camera and almost virtually silent too, making it well-suited to both stills and video. It also doubles up as an effective short telephoto lens thanks to that speedy AF system. This lens is small and lightweight, making it an excellent partner for a camera like the DMC-GX7.

Optically the Panasonic LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. is an outstanding performer. You can safely use it wide open at f/2.8 for optimum results, with even the edges of the frame looking sharp. Chromatic aberrations are almost completely absent, while distortions are automatically corrected on both Olympus and Panasonic bodies, and vignetting is only really an issue at f/2.8. The inclusion of built-in image stabilisation is the icing on the cake, though it's a shame that there's no dedicated switch to turn it on and off.

The Panasonic LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. delivers excellent results and performance at a very pleasing price-point, making it an excellent investment for Micro Four Thirds shooters looking for a true 1:1 macro lens.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	5
Value for money	5