Olympus kit lens question

I'm just getting back into m43 and bought an EM5 ii. I need to buy an entry level kit lens, I always liked the olympus 12-50 even though it often gets panned, but it's bigger than I want it to be. I really want a small kit and I know the panasonic 12-32 impressed me before. Is there any specific model I should look at rather than the panasonic? Size is very important. Thanks in advance

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ?
Unless you need 12mm at the wide end...

I have the 12-32 which I originally bought to use for video on EM1 Mk2. I have recently bought a little GM1 so that lens now has a new lease of life! It's a great lens and, IMHO, a lot better than the Oly 14-42 Pancake. Would be a good match on EM5 series.

One other thing: I bought an auto lens cap for it as well so as it's opened the cap opens, there is no vignetting and saves losing the original cap!

addlightness said:

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ?
Unless you need 12mm at the wide end...

Click to expand...

Thanks. I'd prefer 12 at wide end over 14 more than 42 at long over 32 . But if the olympus is a better lens that may be a deciding factor

The Gofer said:

I have the 12-32 which I originally bought to use for video on EM1 Mk2. I have recently bought a little GM1 so that lens now has a new lease of life! It's a great lens and, IMHO, a lot better than the Oly 14-42 Pancake. Would be a good match on EM5 series.

One other thing: I bought an auto lens cap for it as well so as it's opened the cap opens, there is no vignetting and saves losing the original cap!

Click to expand...

Never even knew there was such a thing as an auto lens cap. Thanks

addlightness said:

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ?
Unless you need 12mm at the wide end...

Click to expand...

Get the 14-42mm II R. The EZ has a poor durability reputation.

It's not my favorite lens, but the front element is tiny & the lens can focus very closely. You can do macro with a pair of extension tubes & natural light because of the low blockage of the lens.

12-45/4. It's often bundled as a kit lens and with an E-M5ii gives a weather-sealed kit. Importantly, it's impeccably sharp across the zoom range. A bit more than others but truly worth the price.

I own the wee 12-32 and while it's a good performer, it's a bother to unpark before use, lacks a focus ring and bayonet hood, is not sealed.

The 12-50 is quite handy if you win the "lens lottery" and get a sharp copy, mine was. It is rather large to stow, and slooow at the long end @ f:6.3, but sealed and the macro option is nice. Also the e-zoom for video folks.

Good luck!

Rick

--
Equivalence and diffraction-free since 2009.
You can be too; ask about our 12-step program.

I had the Panny12-32, great lens but I couldn’t abide the lack of a manual focus ring. Opted for the 14-42 EZ for super compact, and optionally the 12-45 f/4 for the wide end,,, super lightweight, but larger than the 14-42 EZ.

All produce stellar images.

Nice with the EM5 ii

peace

Thanks all. I ordered 12-32. I really wanted the smallest I could get and opinions suggest it is quite good generally which was also my previous experience

muljao said:

Thanks all. I ordered 12-32. I really wanted the smallest I could get and opinions suggest it is quite good generally which was also my previous experience

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Good choice, as I trust you'll soon be able to rediscover for yourself!

If you did want any of the auto lens hoods, perhaps have a look at this earlier discussion...


I'm happier with the push-on three-leaf type, and have just ordered a second one - to match my recently-acquired silver copy of that little lens!

My tip would be that any effort to remove it - once fixed to the lens - MUST be done VERY gently.

Peter

muljao said:

I'm just getting back into m43 and bought an EM5 ii. I need to buy an entry level kit lens, I always liked the olympus 12-50 even though it often gets panned, but it's bigger than I want it to be. I really want a small kit and I know the panasonic 12-32 impressed me before. Is there any specific model I should look at rather than the panasonic? Size is very important. Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

It's really a thread about the Panasonic 12-32 and the Olympus 14-42 EZ, isn't it?

It's simple. If you want very small, 12mm is important and maximal IQ for the size, 12-32 wins.

If you want convenience (especially with auto lens cap), a bit more reach and an actual manual focus ring, the 14-42 EZ wins.

I go more in-depth with this user review (shameless plug): Sleek pancake zoom with average IQ: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

I’ve been impressed with the Olympus 12-40 f4 Pro. Lightweight, really sharp and has a good minimum focus distance.

Skeeterbytes said:

12-45/4. It's often bundled as a kit lens and with an E-M5ii gives a weather-sealed kit. Importantly, it's impeccably sharp across the zoom range. A bit more than others but truly worth the price.

Click to expand...

I think you mean the EM5.3, not the mark II that the OP has. It is a fantastic lens that seems to have been designed around the EM5 body and is the one I would recommend. That lens was released in 2020, the mark III in 2019, and mark II in 2015.

Albert Valentino said:

Skeeterbytes said:

12-45/4. It's often bundled as a kit lens and with an E-M5ii gives a weather-sealed kit. Importantly, it's impeccably sharp across the zoom range. A bit more than others but truly worth the price.

Click to expand...

I think you mean the EM5.3, not the mark II that the OP has. It is a fantastic lens that seems to have been designed around the EM5 body and is the one I would recommend. That lens was released in 2020, the mark III in 2019, and mark II in 2015.

Click to expand...

Yep. The 12-45mm was released after the Em5ii was discontinued.



One of the main kit lenses for the EM5ii was the 14-150mm ii. It was also "kitted" with the 12-40 F2.8 and the old 14-42 kit lens.

Albert Valentino said:

Skeeterbytes said:

12-45/4. It's often bundled as a kit lens and with an E-M5ii gives a weather-sealed kit. Importantly, it's impeccably sharp across the zoom range. A bit more than others but truly worth the price.

Click to expand...

I think you mean the EM5.3, not the mark II that the OP has. It is a fantastic lens that seems to have been designed around the EM5 body and is the one I would recommend. That lens was released in 2020, the mark III in 2019, and mark II in 2015.

Click to expand...

True, only noting that with an M5ii, or any E-M5 series, it gives a weather-sealed combo.

It's the kit zoom the 12-50 should have been but that too requires time travel.

Cheers,

Rick

Jack Tingle said:

addlightness said:

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ?
Unless you need 12mm at the wide end...

Click to expand...

Get the 14-42mm II R. The EZ has a poor durability reputation.

It's not my favorite lens, but the front element is tiny & the lens can focus very closely. You can do macro with a pair of extension tubes & natural light because of the low blockage of the lens.

Click to expand...

I had that lens and it was the second worst lens I ever owned. Yes, it was very good at 14mm but as you zoom past 20mm, the IQ drops very fast.

BTW, the worst lens was the Panny 14-42.

I think the P14-45 is superior to both of those but I prefer the P12-32. I also have the O12-40.

Allan

muljao said:

I'm just getting back into m43 and bought an EM5 ii. I need to buy an entry level kit lens, I always liked the olympus 12-50 even though it often gets panned, but it's bigger than I want it to be. I really want a small kit and I know the panasonic 12-32 impressed me before. Is there any specific model I should look at rather than the panasonic? Size is very important. Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

I have a EM5ii also and I have the 12-50mm kit lens which in my opinion is an excellent lens and very versatile. It is the only weather sealed lens that I have, it has a very good macro mode too. I have Olympus primes 17mm f2.8 (another panned lens) which I have found to be excellent and the 45mm f1.8, both these lenses are tiny. I also had the Olympus 14-42mm pancake in the past but I was not too keen on that one.

There are various points of view concerning economical purchases. The obvious point of view is electing for what is cheaper in the short term. At certain times within my long employment history, I purchased bargain footwear that wore out quickly. When I commented on my need to replace my shoes yet again, a work colleague pointed out the obvious--my economy shoes were not very economical. His shoes were somewhat pricey but were still going strong after multiple years of use. I realize that this is a weak analogy and not very applicable in a direct comparison with lenses but it does illustrate the advantage of taking a longer term view with purchases compared with a strictly short-term view.

I have purchased way too many Micro Four Thirds lenses! I started out with a good plan to match my Olympus E-P5 with a set of Pen Primes (12mm f/2, 17mm f/1.8, 25mm f/1.8, 45mm f/1.8 & 75mm f/1.8). That worked out very well since I wanted to put together a prime-based kit that would fit in the very compact Domke F-5XB bag. Unfortunately, my subsequent lens purchases were based more on curiosity and bargain-based impulses instead of a plan.

When I purchased the Olympus E-M5 Mk2, I should have paired it with the Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 lens. Instead, I wasted money on lesser quality lenses that now sit on a shelf unused. Eventually, I did purchase the 12-40mm f/2.8 lens and keep it attached to my E-M1 Mk2. I no longer have the E-M5 Mk2. However, if I did, I wouldn't hesitate to pair it with the Olympus 12-45mm f/4 lens (which I now pair with the Pen-F).

I did purchase the Lumix 12-32mm lens along with its tiny companion 35-100mm lens (which I included with a camera that I sold and later repurchased to pair with my Pen E-PM2). Yes, I also purchased too many cameras (something that would also benefit from a do-over with 20/20 hindsight).

Jim

NorCal Jim said:

There are various points of view concerning economical purchases. The obvious point of view is electing for what is cheaper in the short term. At certain times within my long employment history, I purchased bargain footwear that wore out quickly. When I commented on my need to replace my shoes yet again, a work colleague pointed out the obvious--my economy shoes were not very economical. His shoes were somewhat pricey but were still going strong after multiple years of use. I realize that this is a weak analogy and not very applicable in a direct comparison with lenses but it does illustrate the advantage of taking a longer term view with purchases compared with a strictly short-term view.

I have purchased way too many Micro Four Thirds lenses! I started out with a good plan to match my Olympus E-P5 with a set of Pen Primes (12mm f/2, 17mm f/1.8, 25mm f/1.8, 45mm f/1.8 & 75mm f/1.8). That worked out very well since I wanted to put together a prime-based kit that would fit in the very compact Domke F-5XB bag. Unfortunately, my subsequent lens purchases were based more on curiosity and bargain-based impulses instead of a plan.

When I purchased the Olympus E-M5 Mk2, I should have paired it with the Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 lens. Instead, I wasted money on lesser quality lenses that now sit on a shelf unused. Eventually, I did purchase the 12-40mm f/2.8 lens and keep it attached to my E-M1 Mk2. I no longer have the E-M5 Mk2. However, if I did, I wouldn't hesitate to pair it with the Olympus 12-45mm f/4 lens (which I now pair with the Pen-F).

I did purchase the Lumix 12-32mm lens along with its tiny companion 35-100mm lens (which I included with a camera that I sold and later repurchased to pair with my Pen E-PM2). Yes, I also purchased too many cameras (something that would also benefit from a do-over with 20/20 hindsight).

Jim

Click to expand...

I may have done similar with cameras. I'm at a stage now where I want something very small for day to day fun, a system that is small enough that I'll be happy to carry it without hesitation, but more control than a camera phone or point and shoot.

I do have a sony FF and aps-c set up. Can't see myself ditching the FF, it allows good quality in almost any light. The em5 and small kit lens should be fun, no doubt I'll add some better quality lenses in time