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

Started Mar 17, 2015 | Questions thread
Impulses Forum Pro • Posts: 10,039
Re: Is Panasonic 14-45 still the best cheap start zoom today ?

brentbrent wrote:

I sold my 14-45 after I got the Panasonic 14-42 v.II, because I concluded the IQ was very close, and I preferred the smaller size and weight of the latter, plus its very short extension when zooming, plus its 46mm filter size.

The 14-42 v.II that comes with a camera body as a kit lens does have a plastic mount, while the version that sells separately and the 14-45 both have metal mounts. And the 14-45 has the switch on the lens barrel for OIS.

I have experience with 4 m4/3 kit lenses: Panasonic 14-45mm, Panasonic 14-42mm II, Panasonic 14-42mm PZ, and the Olympus 14-42mm. All are good for what they are--cheap kit lenses.

I echo brentbrent's recommendation of the Panasonic 14-42mm II because of its combination of size and quality. It's significantly smaller than the 14-45mm yet it offers similar image quality. Also, the aperture and AF of the newer lens are better suited for shooting video.

Worth noting that not only is the 14-42 II smaller, it also barely extends more than 5mm as you zoom. It's fully retracted at 25mm.

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