Which Panasonic 14-42 is which?

BHPhotog · Oct 26, 2013

I have the Oly 12-50 on my E-M5, but I'd like a quality boost (if possible) for a walk-around zoom without having to go up in $1K for the Panasonic 12-35 or Olympus 12-40.

I heard good things about the newest Panasonic 14-42, but I can't figure out which is which. On Amazon for example, I see three, and I've probably missed one or two:

Lumix G X Variao PZ
Lumix G Vario Mega OIS
Lumix G Vario II ASPH/Mega OIS

Any guidance on qualitative difference, if any, would be appreciated. And is the original 14-45 still a "best" overall?

Thanks for any help on this,

Brian

M Hamilton · Oct 26, 2013

BHPhotog said:
BHPhotog wrote:

Lumix G X Vario PZ

This is the 14-42 pancake power zoom. A modest performer but has been reported to be very susceptible to shutter shock.

BHPhotog said:
Lumix G Vario Mega OIS

Original replacement for 14-45, not well regarded, considered a cheap step down from the 14-45

BHPhotog said:
Lumix G Vario II ASPH/Mega OIS

The replacement for the 14-45 that people have been waiting for. THIS is the lens you're looking for, strangely enough it comes in plastic and metal mount variations. I think it is metal mount when you buy it separately and plastic mount when it is kitted with a camera like the GX7.

BHPhotog said:
Any guidance on qualitative difference, if any, would be appreciated. And is the original 14-45 still a "best" overall?

I believe that the growing consensus is that the NEW 14-42II is a better performer than the 14-45. Also worth mentioning is the new pancake 12-32 that is said to be an excellent performer (according to MTF charts) that will come kitted with the new GM1.

BHPhotog said:
Thanks for any help on this,

Brian

Hope this helps clarify things.

Richard Weisgrau · Oct 26, 2013

I agree with BHphotog. I have used both of the 14-42 lenses (did not try the power pancake lens). I also used the 14-45. The best of all ia the most recent 14-42 II model. Second best is the 14-45.

BHPhotog · Oct 26, 2013

Thanks M and Richard, that clears the 14-42 issue up. I think I'll wait and see what there 12-32 looks like (and costs) before making the purchase,

Brian

Paul De Bra · Oct 27, 2013

The 14-42X power zoom is not the lens you were looking for. But if you are willing to consider the 12-32 of which we have no tests yet you may want to look into the capabilities of the 14-42X. If you look at photozone for instance it is quite close to the expensive 12-35 but of course slower.

I have the E-M5 with 12-50 and wanted a pocketable solution (next to the 20mm I have that also makes the setup pocketable). The 14-42X really surprised me. It is clearly sharper than the 12-50, more even across the frame but does not focus as closely. The power zoom takes getting used to (no zoom ring but just a lever) but the image quality is very good when you avoid shutter shock (with anti-shock delay).

okaysee · Feb 18, 2014

M Hamilton said:
BHPhotog said:

Lumix G X Vario PZ

Click to expand...

This is the 14-42 pancake power zoom. A modest performer but has been reported to be very susceptible to shutter shock.

M Hamilton said:

Lumix G Vario Mega OIS

Click to expand...

Original replacement for 14-45, not well regarded, considered a cheap step down from the 14-45

M Hamilton said:

Lumix G Vario II ASPH/Mega OIS

Click to expand...

The replacement for the 14-45 that people have been waiting for. THIS is the lens you're looking for, strangely enough it comes in plastic and metal mount variations. I think it is metal mount when you buy it separately and plastic mount when it is kitted with a camera like the GX7.

M Hamilton said:

Any guidance on qualitative difference, if any, would be appreciated. And is the original 14-45 still a "best" overall?

Click to expand...

I believe that the growing consensus is that the NEW 14-42II is a better performer than the 14-45. Also worth mentioning is the new pancake 12-32 that is said to be an excellent performer (according to MTF charts) that will come kitted with the new GM1.

M Hamilton said:

Thanks for any help on this,

Brian

Click to expand...

Hope this helps clarify things.

"I believe that the growing consensus is that the NEW 14-42II is a better performer than the 14-45. Also worth mentioning is the new pancake 12-32 that is said to be an excellent performer (according to MTF charts) that will come kitted with the new GM1."

Where can I find charts on the 14-42II? I've been looking around diligently and can't seem to find anything that measures image quality in lines of resolution. The closest thing I found showed a chart with "excellent" and "good" indicators.

Kund · Feb 19, 2014

okaysee said:
Where can I find charts on the 14-42II? I've been looking around diligently and can't seem to find anything that measures image quality in lines of resolution. The closest thing I found showed a chart with "excellent" and "good" indicators.

There you are :

Panasonic Lumix G 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS II - Review / Test Report - Analysis

Panasonic Lumix G 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS II Review

www.photozone.de

and

Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens Review

Gary Wolstenholme reviews the compact new Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 14-42mm II lens.

www.ephotozine.com

rare wolf · Feb 19, 2014

M Hamilton said:
The replacement for the 14-45 that people have been waiting for. THIS is the lens you're looking for, strangely enough it comes in plastic and metal mount variations. I think it is metal mount when you buy it separately and plastic mount when it is kitted with a camera like the GX7. ...

I find this strange that this lens would be offered with a cheap plastic mount and a sturdier metal mount! Shopping around gives no indication of the type of mount--can someone please confirm as to how one can be sure of the mount (e.g., part number)? I'm thinking about the GX7 and this lens--do I have to purchase the lens separately??

TIA

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Which Panasonic 14-42 is which?

BHPhotog

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M Hamilton

M Hamilton

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Richard Weisgrau

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BHPhotog

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Paul De Bra

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okaysee

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Kund

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Panasonic Lumix G 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS II - Review / Test Report - Analysis

Panasonic Lumix G VARIO 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens Review

rare wolf

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