Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 to a 14-140

Hi all,

I am thinking about selling the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 I have and buying the new version of the 14-140. I have primes for low light and times when I want the utmost quality. I only use the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 as walk around lenses outside mostly.

My question to those of you who have had both, or have the 14-140, will the quality be at least as good as the two separate lenses? I hear the 14-140 is surprisingly good for a 10X zoom, but would like some reassurance before I make the jump. The ideal of a single lens to cover that range when heading out for say a quick trip to the park with the kids and such is appealing.

rsday75 wrote:

I am thinking about selling the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 I have and buying the new version of the 14-140.

I did this, except I decided to hold onto the 14-42 II for indoor use with flash for parties, etc., as that focal range would be sufficient, its smaller size than the 14-140 makes it better for that use, and I thought it worth keeping as opposed to the possible $100 I could get by selling it.  I did sell the 45-150.

I didn't make any detailed comparisons of image quality, but I would say that the IQ is at least close.  Overall I'm very pleased with the 14-140 II and think I made the right choice.  I usually prefer primes for most shooting, but now I have the 10X zoom for outdoor, daytime walk-around, and I think the image quality is great for what it is.

On a Hawaii trip a year ago, there were times that I carried two bodies, one with the 14-42 and the other with the 45-150.  I find that having one lens that covers almost all of that range is a lot more convenient, and I don't feel that there is an IQ penalty.  None of these lenses is going to equal a good prime, so they are all compromises.

rsday75 wrote:

Hi all,

I am thinking about selling the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 I have and buying the new version of the 14-140. I have primes for low light and times when I want the utmost quality. I only use the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 as walk around lenses outside mostly.

My question to those of you who have had both, or have the 14-140, will the quality be at least as good as the two separate lenses? I hear the 14-140 is surprisingly good for a 10X zoom, but would like some reassurance before I make the jump. The ideal of a single lens to cover that range when heading out for say a quick trip to the park with the kids and such is appealing.

I'd posted a few images in various focal length shot by my wife on her small GF3 recently. You might wish to have a look at here.

I don't have 14-42 II, but at least on the short end it is no weaker than 14-45 and no the long reach is better than 45-200.

The 14-140 f3.5-5.6 is definitely convenient, I don't think it's any larger than that 45-150... No experience with the latter, but my mother loves her 14-140 and isn't hugely let down when using it in good light for it's reach in lieu of her 12-35 f2.8. Those two basically cover most of her needs and handle similarly on the G6.

rsday75 wrote:

Hi all,

I am thinking about selling the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 I have and buying the new version of the 14-140. I have primes for low light and times when I want the utmost quality. I only use the Panasonic 14-42 II & 45-150 as walk around lenses outside mostly.

My question to those of you who have had both, or have the 14-140, will the quality be at least as good as the two separate lenses? I hear the 14-140 is surprisingly good for a 10X zoom, but would like some reassurance before I make the jump. The ideal of a single lens to cover that range when heading out for say a quick trip to the park with the kids and such is appealing.

A couple of years ago I ventured in to M4/3rds. In 2013 I bought refurbished a G3 with kit lens at a bargain price followed by a (secondhand) original (F4.0) 14-140. The IQ was great, the handling & EVF not so. The aggregate cost was £475.00.

Not long after at recession depths, Panasonic launched the G6 and I bought one bundled with a 14-140 F3.5 MkII for £700.00. I thought it was the perfect rig - near SLR quality in a small body and light weight relative to a dslr; incredible handling; near perfect. I would add that the IQ was more or less the same as the G3.

Due to a serious illness (not me, my wife), I sold all my photographic kit early 2014 on the basis I'd replace it when the crisis was over. She wanted to achieve an ambition and needed money to do so do

I've recently been searching for the replacement for the camera I sold - a G6 with a 14-140 Mk II, as finances are now recovered. I've looked at everything available and on Sunday I bid sniped one on ebay for £501.00. I've had several visits to my local John Lewis dept store and played with the entire display. The G6 with as14-140 Mk II is incredible VFM, its light and small and just does it. I can't find anything better in such a small package.

It's a really good lens.

Dave

The 14-140 is quite sharp.  I owned two different copies of it and had shutter shock problems on my OMD bodies so I can't use it.  So, If was using an Oly body, I wouldn't use it, but I don't think Panasonic bodies have that issue.  It's a very nicely made lens too and I wanted to like it-- just didn't work well w/ Oly OMDs though.

I have to add that the photos that were sharp were really quite sharp for a super zoom.  I'd also rather have the super zoom than a pair of kit lenses.

JL