Very good kit lens for Panasonic M43. Image quality on high standard (though I think a bit overpraised as the cheapo 18-55 kit lenses of other systems also offer quite good image quality). Focus is very fast and silent, OIS works very well, sometimes even as good for low light at 14mm as the 20 1.7, in terms of not blurred out keepers.
Compared to the 20 1.7, the ability to zoom is a very very big advantage. When I go travelling, I mainly use 14-45 instead of 20 1.7.
IMHO, this lens is better worth for the money than the 14-42, which has inferior optics, a plastic mount, and is even larger. Though 14-42 is cheaper, the second hand price of 14-45 is reasonably low here, at least was, as prices have gone up.
Problems:
Too big for a M43 kit lens, just look at the oly retractable counterpart or the APS Samsung 20-50 (of course those ones don't need OIS). Focus breathing limits its macro capabilities severly. Purple fringing at 14mm. Price is steep compared to 18-55 kit lenses of other systems, and the second hand prices have even gone up. Oh, I am also looking forward to the bright standard lens which is coming by the end of this year, but that's another story.
Compared to the 20 1.7, the ability to zoom is a very very big advantage. When I go travelling, I mainly use 14-45 instead of 20 1.7.
IMHO, this lens is better worth for the money than the 14-42, which has inferior optics, a plastic mount, and is even larger. Though 14-42 is cheaper, the second hand price of 14-45 is reasonably low here, at least was, as prices have gone up.
Problems:
Too big for a M43 kit lens, just look at the oly retractable counterpart or the APS Samsung 20-50 (of course those ones don't need OIS). Focus breathing limits its macro capabilities severly. Purple fringing at 14mm. Price is steep compared to 18-55 kit lenses of other systems, and the second hand prices have even gone up. Oh, I am also looking forward to the bright standard lens which is coming by the end of this year, but that's another story.