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

Impulses wrote:

brentbrent wrote:

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.

That seems like really weird logic. Surely the cost of an additional production run would exceed the savings of using a plastic mount.

It's true tho, might also be a location thing... But all 14-42 II sold in kits come with a plastic mount (at least in the US/EU). I don't think it's sold separately outside of Asia, could be mistaken, so the metal mount might just be for their retail boxed version.

Yeah, I googled and found an image of one with a metal mount.  Mine is plastic (came with GX7)

Also, initially Panasonic was only selling it with the GX7 in Europe as they had continued to sell the G6 & GF6 with the older 14-42 v1 over there... (v2 was the original kit lens for those in the US) With the G6 probably going EOL and the new GF7 being packed with the 12-32, we might start seeing less split kit 14-42 IIs out there.

It's pretty inconsequential either way, such a small/light lens, I doubt it makes a difference unless you're abusing it.

I definitely agree.  m4/3 lenses are all so light that I think all of them could be plastic mount and it wouldn't make a bit of difference.  Modern composites are extremely strong and metal is primarily used for the appearance of quality rather than actually providing any benefit.

I did notice that the retail 14-42 are like $279.  Maybe they want it to look more "pro" if they talk you into spending that on a kit lens!