Should I sell Panasonic 14 2.5 for Panasonic 12-32

runnerbeen wrote:

Hi

I have a Panasonic 14 2.5, Panasonic 20 1.7, Olympus 45 1.8 and am hoping to get the Olympus 14-150 shortly. I was thinking of selling the 14 to get more of a wide angle lens and more flexibility which I thought the 12-32 would offer. I see it has good reviews.

Do people think this would be a good move?

Thanks

I won't do it.

I have both of the lenses. 14 f/2.5 was basically a free copy when I upgraded to GX1, but due to its a non OIS lens and when using on non IBIS bodies, basically I could shoot with 14-45 at much slower shutter speed under low lighting and so it was idle most of the time until bought GX7 and even be more useful on GX85.

I also once very excited to have 12-32 (a kit lens came with GX85). Under good lighting condition it is very sharp, and is comparable to 14-45 having benefit of tiny size and 12mm wider coverage. Having high hope to have it as a go everywhere standard zoom, I was sad to see poor result under poor lighting condition. If coincidentally there would be small fine detail objects (grass/leaves etc) at the edge in shadow, water color like poor resolved image would be produced. I needed to recall 14-45 again and eventually upgrade to the 12-35 f/2.8...

According to my experience on the few consumer grade zoom (f/3.5) lenses of Panny, I would day 14-140 M2 be the best all round player, coming after closely by 14-45 and having 12-32 and 45-150 in similar quality after the pack. But if you would shoot mostly under good lighting, and would compose carefully, it would still be an excellent lens well beyond its low cost.

14 f/2.5 is faster (on IBIS body), having AF speed/size/weight similar to 12-32. It is a prime lens, not as versatile as the 12-32 zoom, but could be handled easier and would produce more consistent quality pictures under good or low lighting environment.

According to members' opinion, 14-42 M2 (Panny) might be the best kit zoom currently (I can't verify this). If size and weight wouldn't be an issue, might worth to check it out.