Superb image quality, even handheld in low light, with wide f/2.8 aperture

With its wide f/2.8 constant aperture, this superb high-speed wide-angle-to-medium-telephoto (26-78mm equivalent) zoom lets you create natural-looking pictures in almost any light, or capture faster-moving subbjects. One of the most compact and lightweight lenses in its class, its shallow depth of field at wide apertures allows you to create dramatic pictorial and portrait effects by softening background details so the subject looks more vibrant and three-dimensional.

The focal length is equivalent to 26-78mm when converted to a 35mm format. In particular, the 17mm focal length (26mm equivalent) provides a wider angle of view than ordinary standard zooms, while maintaining the lightweight and compact size

The minimum focus distance of 0.27m over the entire zoom range achieves a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.5 at 50mm. The lens boasts one of the best close-up shooting performances in the class of fast standard zoom lenses designed exclusively for digital cameras and featuring an f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range.