What zoom to get for for Olympus PEN EP5?

Thank you all, I have bought Lumix 12-35.

Olympus 14-42 EZ is great if you don't need so short but you need little more longer focal length.

But if you can't withstand motor Zoom.... Not good choice. Very good image sharpness and compact size!

Panasonic 12-32mm is then if you need the shorter focal length but not so much longer. Very good sharpness and very compact size but requires manual unlocking. If you don't like that, not a good choice.

Olympus 12-50mm is as well what I would take. It covers the short focal length and long focal length range. It has that big aperture ratio on long end but it is nicer to have in bright light for outdoors. Very good sharpness but size is exactly that with it you don't place it to pocket. But have a caps and place to separated pockets and it goes nicely along.

12-50mm offers nice close-up features, but 14-42 EZ and 12-32mm are very good with a 10mm extension ring.

For my use I would as You take the 12-50mm or 14-42 EZ.

I have only zoom lenses:

9-18

14-42 (kit)

40-150

It works for me.

The 12-35 is excellent. You will not be disappointed.

Without taking account of anything else (like size, weight and price), the best standard zoom for a µ4/3 camera is the M.Zuiko 12-40mm F/2,8.

Next is the Lumix 12-35mm F/2,8 (a better choice for cameras that don't have IBIS).

If your preference goes to the Lumix 12-35mm, you'll have to rely on software like Lightroom or Photoshop to get rid of chromatic aberrations. On an Olympus camera body, the Lumix 12-35mm F/2,8 is very prone to it. Flare was also reported but I thing it's an overblown problem; do we take shots at the sun that often?

Then, is the Limix 14-42mm II and the Lumix 14-45mm.

The difference in price between these zooms is not proportional to the difference in their image quality. If I'd to give a score to these zooms, the M.Zuiko 12-40mm F/2,8 would receive a 100% score, the Lumix 12-35mm F/2,8 about 98% and the two other ones about 80%.

So everything comes down to the importance of image quality for you and how much you are willing to pay to get it.

On my E-PL5 I find the 12-35 f/2.8 too heavy. In my opinion the pens are made for primes.

When using zooms I would stick to the zooms designed for the pens. The 9-18, 14-42, 40-150 and 14-150. If you want the heavier zooms (12-35, 12-40, 35-100, 40-150, 75-300, 100-300) I advice a camera with a better grip.

Dreeke said:

On my E-PL5 I find the 12-35 f/2.8 too heavy. In my opinion the pens are made for primes.

When using zooms I would stick to the zooms designed for the pens. The 9-18, 14-42, 40-150 and 14-150. If you want the heavier zooms (12-35, 12-40, 35-100, 40-150, 75-300, 100-300) I advice a camera with a better grip.

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+1

At least work with your 17/1.8 lens for a while before rushing into a zoom. If you feel you need to buy something else, go for the 40-150. Zooms are best for telephoto shots and the 40-150 R f/3.5-5.6, though large, is quite light and usable on a Pen with the VF4 attached.

Thank you all once again!

I've made a typo - actually I've bought Lumix 12-32 (not 12-35).

I understand that 12-35 is better optically but it's HUGE and pricy.

I think I will stay for some time with the lenses I have now.

Thanx!!!