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The Panasonic Lumix S 40mm F2, pictured on an S1II body Photo: Richard Butler |
Panasonic has announced the Lumix S 40mm F2, a small, fast lens for L-mount that recalls its much-loved 20mm F1.7 prime for Micro Four Thirds.
The lens gives a fractionally-wider-than-normal field of view on full frame sensors and has been designed to match the dimensions of the 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 kit zoom for the S9, in its retracted, carry-around state.
Panasonic described it to us as “more of a muffin lens than a pancake.”
The $400 lens features seven elements in six groups, with three of those elements being aspherics. Its relatively modest price results in a 7-blade aperture design, but despite this, sees seals deployed at all the key points around the lens to provide dust, splash and freeze resistance down to -10°C (14°F).
Likewise, while Panasonic has avoided the cost of including a lens hood (and the costs of designing one to match it), it’s made sure to include a lens function button on the side of the barrel. The focus ring has the usual options to control focus throw and focus direction, or act as a control ring.
The S 40mm F2.0 weighs just 144g (5.1oz). It accepts the same 62mm filters as the 18-40mm and its front element has a fluorine coating.
The 40mm F2 will be available from Early June at a recommended price of $399, exc sales tax.
Panasonic Lumix S 40mm F2.0 sample gallery
We’ve been shooting with the 40mm for a while and, even paired with an S1RII, found it plays a big part in making the camera/lens combination more carryable.
While a distortion correction profile is embedded in the lens, and we’ve applied it to the images in the gallery, its effects are extremely subtle. The lens is not utilizing high levels of correction.
Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don’t abuse it.
News Release
Panasonic Introduces New Compact Standard Prime Lens to its Full Frame LUMIX S Series: LUMIX S 40mm F2 (S-S40)
Newark, N.J. (April. 21, 2026) – Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new LUMIX S 40mm F2 (S-S40), an interchangeable lens based on the L-Mount system standard.
A compact, lightweight prime designed for everyday versatility, the LUMIX S 40mm F2 delivers natural-looking images with beautiful bokeh — ideal for street photography, portraits, and landscapes.
Featuring a 40mm focal length, often regarded as close to the field of view of the human eye, this single focal length lens delivers a natural perspective suited to a wide range of scenes. Its bright F2 maximum aperture creates soft and beautiful bokeh for strong subject separation in portraits and helps maintain faster shutter speeds in low-light to keep clear images without pushing ISO unnecessarily.
With an overall length of approximately 40.9mm and a weight of approximately 144g, it pairs perfectly with the compact body of the LUMIX S9, creating a lightweight, portable setup that’s easy to carry. The lens shares a similar profile with the LUMIX S 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 when collapsed and maintains the same 62mm filter diameter.
While remaining compact and lightweight, the lens features a dust- and splash-resistant design for reliability in changing weather conditions. The front lens element is coated with fluorine, making it easy to remove dirt and oil from the surface.
To meet the growing demand for video production, the lens also incorporates features such as focus breathing suppression and micro-step aperture control, enabling smooth exposure transitions and high-quality video expression.
Alongside this announcement, Panasonic is also sharing its lens development roadmap, featuring a wide-angle prime lens designed to complement the compact LUMIX S9 body, and a large-aperture telephoto zoom lens to further expand the L-Mount lens lineup.
With the introduction of the new 40mm lens and its continued commitment to future lens development, Panasonic continues to expand creative possibilities for both camera enthusiasts and professionals by delivering a strong balance of image quality and mobility, contributing to the growth of the interchangeable-lens camera market.
Main Features
- Natural 40mm View with large F2 Aperture
- 40mm focal length provides a natural perspective similar to human field of view
- Large F2 aperture produces soft and beautiful bokeh
- Suitable for a wide range of shooting styles including street photo, portraits, and landscapes
- Compact, Easy-to-Carry Design
- Compact and lightweight design measuring approx. 40.9mm in length and approx. 144g in weight
- Sized to match the compact LUMIX S9 body for easy portability
- Shares the same compact size and 62mm filter thread as the LUMIX S 18-40mm F4.5-6.3
- Enhanced control and reliability
- Features a control ring and focus button for intuitive operation and enhanced creative control
- Dust- and splash-resistant design for reliable shooting in various conditions
- Focus breathing suppression and micro-step aperture control support smooth video recording
The LUMIX S 40mm F2 (S-S40) will go on sale for $399.99 USD and is expected to begin shipping to customers in early June 2026.
Panasonic Lumix S 40mm F2 specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 40 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | L-Mount |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F2 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Aperture ring | No |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 7 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 7 |
| Groups | 6 |
| Special elements / coatings | 3 aspheric elements |
| Focus | |
| Minimum focus | 0.30 m (11.81″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Stepper motor |
| Full time manual | No |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 144 g (0.32 lb) |
| Diameter | 69 mm (2.72″) |
| Length | 41 mm (1.61″) |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Colour | Black or Silver |
| Filter thread | 62 mm |
| Hood supplied | No |
| Tripod collar | No |