14-140mm vs 14-42mm + 45-150mm

I have a 14-140 (2nd gen.) which I use on a Panasonic GX-85. It's tack sharp, small, light, quick to auto-focus, easy to use, and the Power OIS works well with the OIS in the GX-85.

Richard (rb_stern),
richard-s.smugmug.com

Do you mean the mk-I or mk-II of 14~42?

If you want to replace 14~42 mk-I & 45~150 by 14~140 mk-II, a great move. IMHO 14~42 mk-I could be the worst kit lens of Panny ever produced. On the long end, 14~140 mk-II is marginally better than 45~150.

If you have 14~42 mk-II, on IQ wise 14~140 mk-II might give you no improvement except slightly better on the long end vs 45~150. That is very marginally. However on convenience, 14~140 wins because no lens swapping be required. It becomes a consideration of spending more money to buy 14~140 for the convenience.

If I don't need 12 (so have 12~35/12~32 as standard lens), I will use 14~140 to replace my old 14~45 & 45~150 combo.

--
Albert

A few years ago I did exactly what you are considering. After a trip to Maui and going out day shooting with two cameras with the 14-42 II and 45-150, I decided that the 14-140 II would be sooo much more convenient. And it was. I was happy to have made the switch.

I think the image quality of all three of those lenses is pretty good. The 14-140 is remarkable for a 10x superzoom, and I don't think I lost any image quality compared to the two separate lenses. I can't see any benefit to having the two lenses instead of the one, other than the cost is lower and the 14-42 is a smaller lens when you don't need anything longer.

Now, more recently I replaced the 14-140 with a used Olympus 12-100. It's more expensive, bigger, heavier, and only goes to 100. But its image quality is definitely a step (or two) beyond the others, it's weather resistant, and it has a constant f/4. I am happy to have made this switch, too. I only mention this in case you want to give some thought to where the upgrade path could potentially lead further on down the road.

--
Brent

I have all of those (14-42 v2) and I prefer the 14-140 v2. I use it a lot and the others "stand by."

peace.

John

Thank you so much for all that information. It's very helpful. I've never really considered Olympus as an option because I thought Panasonic lenses work best with Panasonic bodies. But now you've got me thinking. I just noticed the new Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens that my local camera shop will be selling end of March. So this lens will defiantly cover all the focal lengths I will need if I'm willing to pay over double the price for it compared to the Panasonic 14-140.

As others have said.. the 14-140 mkii is a marvellous lens.. its quite something to have a 28-280mm in such a tiny lens.. and if you use the x2 in camera you have a 560mm lens!

It is a quality lens.. i have taken some beautifull portraits and plant photographs over the years ive owned it and it has built in stabilisation too. Happy shooting Eyangle!

eyeangle said:

I own a Panasonic 14-42mm and a 45-150mm and I'm thinking of selling them to buy a 14-140mm so I have two lenses in one.

Is this a good idea in terms of sharpness? What are the benefits of having the two lenses instead of one?

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I bought the same lenses for my girlfriend. She hated having to constantly swap lenses. Picked up a 14-140mm. Sold the 14-42mm. Will sell the 45-150mm.

Whether one is better than either of the others is a fairly moot point. One of the major (if only) reasons to get a 10x zoom lens is to not have to change lenses!

The 14-140mm is definitely sharper than the 45-150mm. It’s an excellent lens, MUCH better than it should be given its size/weight and range.

It’s also a lot of fun to use. My only issue is it’s inability to shoot in moderately low light. It WILL focus, but will NOT trigger the shutter. If there’s a work-around, I haven’t found it.

I’ve pretty much stopped using my 12-40mm in favor of the 14-140mm.

I have various versions of the 14-42 from both Olympus and panasonic and both 14-150ii Olympus as well as 14-140 mkii panasonic. I tend to use the longer range zooms for their convenience.

I believe my Oly 40-150r is optically better then both longer zooms on the whole range but again convenience wins most of the times for me.

eyeangle said:

I own a Panasonic 14-42mm and a 45-150mm and I'm thinking of selling them to buy a 14-140mm so I have two lenses in one.

Is this a good idea in terms of sharpness? What are the benefits of having the two lenses instead of one?

Click to expand...

I never had the 45-150mm, but after consideration, I skipped it and got a used 14-140mm II (AKA f/3.5-5.6 version, make very sure you aren't getting the older f/4-5.8 version). It's barely bigger and only 2 oz heavier, so it was almost a no brainer to get the extra convenience. It didn't disappoint, IQ is great for a superzoom and it's great as a travel lens (works with Dual IS on GX85 also).

Beside the cost, would you also take into account the following:

12-200 weight: 455g, Length: 100mm, Diameter: 78mm, filter thread: 72mm

12-100 weight: 561g, Length: 117mm, Diameter: 78mm, filter thread: 72mm

14-140 mk-II weight: 265g, Length: 75mm, Diameter: 67mm, filter thread: 58mm.

If you have the latest IBIS Panny body, the not very long non OIS lens could be alright. 12-200 is a non OIS lens...

eyeangle said:

I've never really considered Olympus as an option because I thought Panasonic lenses work best with Panasonic bodies. But now you've got me thinking. I just noticed the new Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens that my local camera shop will be selling end of March. So this lens will defiantly cover all the focal lengths I will need if I'm willing to pay over double the price for it compared to the Panasonic 14-140.

Click to expand...

I know the 10x zoom 14-140 II is very good, despite there being some degree of universal skepticism about the quality of ANY 10x zoom. And I know that the Olympus 12-100 is an amazing lens. It has OIS, which is what operates on a Panasonic body, not the body's IBIS, and I think it is quite effective.

I don't know about the new 12-200, which is a 17x zoom lens. Natural skepticism rears its head, though. I'm not sure what reviews have come out on it to date. Going down to 12 and up to 200 is a benefit compared to the 14-140, but perhaps not so much if the image quality suffers.

--
Brent

I think opinion is pretty unanimous at this point. I'll anyway add mine: the 14-140 Mk2 is a great sense, it is by far my most-used lens, it's like a Swiss army knife of a lens with no real downside. If I want to have a very small and light package, I use the 12-32 or a prime anyway.

Just go for it.

brentbrent said:

eyeangle said:

I've never really considered Olympus as an option because I thought Panasonic lenses work best with Panasonic bodies. But now you've got me thinking. I just noticed the new Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens that my local camera shop will be selling end of March. So this lens will defiantly cover all the focal lengths I will need if I'm willing to pay over double the price for it compared to the Panasonic 14-140.

Click to expand...

I know the 10x zoom 14-140 II is very good, despite there being some degree of universal skepticism about the quality of ANY 10x zoom. And I know that the Olympus 12-100 is an amazing lens. It has OIS, which is what operates on a Panasonic body, not the body's IBIS, and I think it is quite effective.

I don't know about the new 12-200, which is a 17x zoom lens. Natural skepticism rears its head, though. I'm not sure what reviews have come out on it to date. Going down to 12 and up to 200 is a benefit compared to the 14-140, but perhaps not so much if the image quality suffers.

Click to expand...

The 12-200mm isn’t getting very positive reviews (previews).

Thanks everybody for the comments. I'll be using the lens on a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K to shoot a film, when I can get my hands on the camera that is.

I've decided to go with the Panasonic 14-140. It's getting great recommendations in this forum and fits in my price range.

For the really wide shots I've got the Panasonic 7-14mm which I'm very happy with. And for anything over 100mm I've got the Panasonic 100-300mm. So the 14-140 will be a very welcomed addition to my collection and I imagine will be my main lens on set. I'll most likely be able to get through a whole day without changing lens.