Panasonic 35-100mm F4-5.6 v Panasonic 14-140mm f3.5-5.6

HDcamfan wrote:

I am looking for a good general walk around lens for my EM1 and have narrowed my choice to these two. As far as I can see the 35-100 is smaller, lighter and possibly sharper but the 14-140 has a better range (obviously!).

I know so few people seem to use the new 35-100 but does anyone have any thoughts on which may be better for general use. I am think of using it for outside walk around family shots. My main concern with the 35-100 is the minimum focal distance (maybe a fraction too long for me?) and for the 14-140 it is the size!

I've just received my 35-100 and am quite impressed. It's the zoom tele I use when I travel, and it's been paired with my Olympus 12-40 f/2.8 for a travel combo that's really hard to beat. What amazes me time and time again is how this combo duplicates the same focal lengths I used when I traveled with my Canon full frame gear, i.e. 24-200 across two lenses, but at substantially reduced weight, size and certainly cost. I couldn't be happier. The 35-100 is an excellent lens from just about any standpoint. And it's so tiny!

Regarding the 14-140: I owned one when I had a Panasonic GH1. Nice lens. Convenient focal length range. But it doesn't compare with the 12-40 within the 12-40's range. The 35-100 is at least as good as the 14-140 within its range.

If the additional reach is important to you, then maybe the 14-140 is right for you. You'll be giving up some sharpness and detail, though ... particularly at the edges and corners.