14-42 II or 14-42 II, which is better

Hey all you lens nerds, which do you prefer and why? Panasonic 14-42 II or Olympus 14-42 II R. There's so many conflicting reports about which performs better. Please, just these two for comparison.

Jere Landis wrote:

Hey all you lens nerds, which do you prefer and why? Panasonic 14-42 II or Olympus 14-42 II R. There's so many conflicting reports about which performs better. Please, just these two for comparison.

tkbslc checks everything else but these two in a current thread: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55226250

He shows how to get an answer to your question, though.

In that thread I mention the WCON-P01 which makes the bottom end of the Oly lens into an f3.5 11mm. Panasonic offers a similar wide angle adapter but also a 2x tele adapter for the long end. That could make the Panny 14-42 II a better choice for some -- extending the range to 11-84. Pretty handy.

Anyone else have an opinion?

Jere Landis wrote:

Anyone else have an opinion?

I've seen some nice photos from the Panny, but I've only shot with the Oly. It's a fairly decent kit lens capable of some nice work, but it is not the lens my 4/3s 14-54 is. I would be surprised if the Panasonic lens is significantly different, but I could be wrong.

I would also be surprised if there are that many people who have experience with both.

If you get good copies both are excellent. My choice would be the pana for the OIS. But if you have recent Oly bodies maybe go for the Oly. My impression from all reviews is the the pana is a little better. I tried a Oly from a friend and it was  a terrible copy. All pana kit lenses I have had were pretty decent except my 12-32 which had the right side blur issue, but I could exchange it for a good one. I am waiting for a deal on the 14-42 mk2.

Good stuff here! I really liked the Panasonic 14-42 II the first time I touched it. It has a nice feel to it with a little heft yet very light. The zoom action is very smooth with just the right amount of resistance. The size is just right for both my cameras. I use it with my Olympus EPM2 and my Panasonic G5. I love the fact that it doesn't extend but very little when zoomed.

The fact that AdamT gives the optics good marks cemented the deal for me. I love this lens!

Anyone else like this lens?

I have never used the Olympus equivalent but I have been very impressed indeed by the Panasonic 14-42 II. I find it quite amazing that such a consistent performance right from wide open can be achieved by such a tiny, light, and affordable lens.

I have the 20mm/1.7 and very good it is. But I feel the need to use it rather less often than I expected. Sure it's faster, but in the general run of daylight shooting the 14-42 does the job, and more.

Used on a GX7.

Jere Landis wrote:

The fact that AdamT gives the optics good marks cemented the deal for me. I love this lens!

Anyone else like this lens?

Maybe I'm just easily led, but I sold my 14-45mm on the strength of AdamT's opinion. I should really have compared the two first but needed the money for an upgrade to the GX7 when Panasonic had their double cashback offer.

I haven't really tested it out thoroughly, but first impressions are good. Shame they had to lose the OIS switch though.