Panny 20mm 1.7 hunts while Oly 17mm 1.8 does not???

The 20/1.7 is one of the first MFT lens, available in 2010 or 2011.  It has an older, external focusing design, is not intended for video, and in fact is not recommended by Panasonic for CAF.  It is a very sharp, fast lens, good for stills, but not video.  In 2011, when I first started using this lens, it was sort of a nightmare in certain situations, always hunting.  With newer Panasonic cams, say 2013 GX7 onwards, I have had fewer and fewer problems, almost never any more.

The Oly 17/1.8 is a newer modern design, internal focusing lens rated MSC.  People love this lens, and rightly so.  One of the first Olympus lenses was the 17/2.8 and it was as slow and awkward as the 20/1.7....many say more so.

photomangriz wrote:

Hi all. I have been using my G7 for a few years now filming videos in my woodworking shop. I have the G7 on a ball head attached to a 90 degree baby pin that is screwed to the wall. The Oly 17mm has been on the camera for the last year or so and has worked flawlessly. It is a little too wide for my area and I wanted little tighter view. I found a Panny 20mm 1.7 and that is the perfect perspective for the room. Problem is this lens wants to hunt a lot while the Oly just almost never does. Face detection is in use and I do see the square around my face while I am filming. I know the 20mm is older. I actually got it with an old GF1. basically free camera with lens purchase as I got the package for what the lens is selling for. Is this just normal for the older lens or is there an issue with it. It works fine as a stills lens, just hunts a lot in video. Any thoughts would be appreciated.... Thanks, John....