Shootout: Olympus SHG 14-35mm f/2 ED vs Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH

Continuing my Guide to Mirrorless coverage of lens performance on the subject of using Leica M lenses on the Olympus OM-D E-M5.

Can the $3000 Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH hold a candle to the $2300 Olympus SHG 14-35mm f/2 ED zoom lens?

Hmmm. Zoom lenses are inferior to Leica’s best glass, right? Ummm....

Let’s compare the Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH to the Olympus Zuiko SHG 14-35mm f/2 ED.

       

Olympus M. Zuiko SHG 14-35mm f/2 ED — Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
(images not to scale)

  

White Mountains Cabin
Olympus OM-D E-M5 + Olympus SHG 14-35mm f/2 ED @ ƒ/3.5