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Is Panasonic 14-45 still the best cheap start zoom today ?

Started Mar 17, 2015 | Questions thread
photofan1986
photofan1986 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,841
Re: Is Panasonic 14-45 still the best cheap start zoom today ?

In my experience, yes.

However, the new 14-42 II is also very good, and the pancake 12-32 is no slouch either.

Personally, I got a poor copy of the 14-42II, but it seems like a very good lens otherwise.

I also own the 12-32 which I got with my GM1, and while it's even slightly sharper in the center than the 14-45, it's less consistent across the zoom range. It's excellent from 20 to 32, but the wide you go, the softer it becomes in the corners.
The 14-45 on the other hand was a very pleasant surprise: my copy is very consistent, being good to excellent at all apertures and all focal lengths. Shooting with it, you know you will get a good result every time (within its limitations, of course).

But I guess that then it comes down to sample variation.

I think if you can get a good copy of the 14-42II, it's an excellent lens, as it's smaller, lighter and maybe even slightly sharper than the 14-45.

 photofan1986's gear list:photofan1986's gear list
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Sony a7R III Olympus E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH +15 more
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