DJI 15mm f/1.7 ASPH vs. Lumix 14mm f/2.5 ASPH: Everyday Carry Lens Review

I recently picked up the DJI 15mm f/1.7 ASPH as an upgrade to my everyday carry lens, the Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5 ASPH. Both were tested on the Panasonic GX80.

The two lenses

Before diving in, it’s worth noting - this isn’t a comparison between the DJI and the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. That Leica-branded lens looks great, but at nearly three times the price of the DJI, it’s in a completely different bracket.

Instead, I’m comparing the DJI 15mm to the Lumix 14mm for a very practical reason: they’re similarly priced, have a similar spec, and both are excellent candidates for an everyday compact prime lens.

Why Compare these lenses?

• Focal length: 15mm vs 14mm—very close
• Price: DJI £135 (new, AliExpress deal); Lumix ~£135 (used)
• Fast primes: f/1.7 vs f/2.5
• Size: both small and portable
• Purpose: both are strong everyday carry options for Micro Four Thirds

TL;DR Summary

• The DJI 15mm is the better lens overall.
• Choose the Lumix 14mm if you want the lightest, most compact option and don’t need manual focus.
• Choose the DJI 15mm for everything else—it’s better built, easier to handle, and produces superior images.

Overall winner - the DJI 15mm

You can view all sample images for this review at the bottom of the blog post.

Build & Handling

Winner - DJI

• The DJI lens feels much more robust in the hand thanks to its all-metal build.
• The Lumix is noticeably smaller and lighter—making it just pocketable when paired with the GX80.The DJI, while compact, is in no sense pocketable.
• Manual focus is a weak spot on the Lumix. The focus ring is small, stiff, and not especially comfortable to use.
• The DJI, by contrast, has a smooth, well-placed focus ring, and the clicky aperture ring is a joy—intuitive, tactile, and genuinely useful.

DJI 15mm f/1.7

Image Quality

Winner: DJI

• Sharpness: Both lenses are sharp enough for everyday use, but the DJI has a slight edge.
• Depth of Field: The DJI’s wider aperture (f/1.7 vs. f/2.5) gives noticeably more subject separation and a creamier background blur.
• Chromatic Aberration: Slightly more noticeable on the DJI, particularly in high-contrast edges.
• Vignetting: The Lumix shows more noticeable vignetting wide open.
• Colours: No real difference; both produce pleasing, neutral colour.

 

Lumix 14mm f/2.5

Focusing

Winner: DJI

Using autofocus, both lenses are snappy and quick to focus. I didn't notice a difference between them. 

As previously mentioned, manual focus on the Lumix is not a great experience. 

Conclusion

If you could only have one, I'd recommend the DJI every time. The DJI punches well above its price point. It’s a fantastic everyday lens - solid, sharp, and well-designed, with a lovely shallow depth of field for a Micro Four Thirds sensor.

I won't be getting rid of my Lumix any time soon. It's still a solid lens, and worth having in your kit. It's unbeatable when it comes to have a genuinely compact and performative lens. 

Final note - If you're picking up the DJI new, keep in mind that most retailers are based in China. I got my copy via AliExpress, and waited around 2 weeks for postage.

Sample Images

DJI 15mm @ 1/1250 f/1.7 ISO320

Lumix 14mm @ 1/500 f/2.5 ISO320

DJI 15mm @ 1/0000 f/3.2 ISO200

Lumix 14mm @ 1/0000 f/3.2 ISO200

Lumix 14mm @ 1/2500 f/4.0 ISO320

DJI 15mm @ 1/2500 f/4.0 ISO320

Comparison Table

Feature	DJI 15mm f/1.7 ASPH	Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5 ASPH
Focal Length (35mm equiv.)	30mm	28mm
Maximum Aperture	f/1.7	f/2.5
Minimum Aperture	f/16	f/22
Aperture Ring	Yes (clicky, manual)	No
Lens Construction	9 elements in 6 groups	6 elements in 5 groups
Minimum Focus Distance	0.12 m	0.18 m
Maximum Magnification	~0.12x	0.10x
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus Ring	Yes	Yes
Build Material	Metal	Plastic
Weight	~135g	~55g
Length	~36mm	~20.5mm
Filter Thread Size	46mm	46mm
Mount	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds
Typical Price (2025)	£135 (new, AliExpress)	£130–140 (used / nearly new)