Best super zoom for EM5 Mk II?

I recently was travelling in Europe. I like to do a lot of street photos. Carrying my new OM5 Mk II and several lenses (Mostly Oly 12-50, 9-18 and 40-150) I found myself losing a lot of opportunities by having to change lenses all the time.

Then decided to check on the so called "super zooms". I know I will sacrifice some IQ at both ende but it seems a good compromise in practical terms.

So, looking at what is being offered today I found the Oly 14-150 mk II, the Panasonic 14-140 MKII and the Tamron 14-150 being the most recent.

All of these sound fine, but I'm concerned about how they compare in terms of Focus speed and Image quality.

Video is an issue also in terms of it being quiet.

The Panny costs more, and then I don't need the OIS, so that would be a 2nd choice unless in IQ and focusing is much better, but I have not found a comparison chart or review on this.

Anny reccomendations or suggestions very welcome!

After having read a n umber of shorter reviews on the net, I decided to get the Tamron - I got it yesterday, so I have not yet any serious comments about it. However, today I found a rathger detailed review on it:

http://www.focus-numerique.com/test-2398/objectif-tamron-14-150-mm-f-35-58-di-iii-flash-test-8.html

It is in french, but I hope that not will keep you from reading it.

Als, both Olympus and Panasonic have TWO verstions of their superzooms.

E-3, E-5, 7-14/4, 14-54/2,8-3,5, 50-200/2,8-3,5 SWD, 35-100/2.0, 35, 9-18, 18-180, 70-300; PL 25/1,4; Sigma 105/2,8;Sigma 135-400; Sigma 50-500; Samyang 8FE/3,5; Samyang 500R/8; EC-14; EC-20; EX-25, FL-36R, FL-50R(2); HLD-4.
OM-D EM-5, EM-1, MZD 12-40/2.8, MZD 12-50, MZD 45, Panny 45-200, Sigma 60/2.8; MMF-3(2), HLD-6, HLD-7.
OM-2N, OM-10, OM-40, OMZ 28/2,8, OMZ 35/2,8, OMZ 50/1,4, OMZ50/1,8 (2), OMZ 100/2,8, OMZ 135/3,5, Elicar 35/2,8 OM, Cosina 35-70 f/3,5-4,5 OM, Vivitar 70-150 f/3,5 OM, Vivitar 2x converter OM, Olympus FM-1 OM/E-converter (2), T-32

Having just had the opportunity to compare the Panasonic 14-140 and the Olympus 14-150, the Panasonic wins easily.  I'm very pleased with it and quite surprised at the image quality.  Sharp edge to edge.  The Olympus was a disappointment.

I have used both the Olympus 14-150 and the Panasonic 14-140. I found the 14-150 to be the better of the two lenses (lighter, smaller, slightly sharper, less CA (at least on Olympus bodies).

Dick

The Pan 14-140-II , it`s optically the best of the bunch, especially at the long end across the frame , don`t get this lens mixed up with the Video lens which shipped with the GH1 (the 14-140 Mk1) which is slower, bigger and softer at the long end .

the Pan Mk2 works beautifully on the EM5-II and is the perfect size for the camera .. nice thing is that if you want to shoot Video, you get OIS so you're not having to dodge IBIS noise

Rafael Edwards 2 wrote:

I recently was travelling in Europe. I like to do a lot of street photos. Carrying my new OM5 Mk II and several lenses (Mostly Oly 12-50, 9-18 and 40-150) I found myself losing a lot of opportunities by having to change lenses all the time.

Then decided to check on the so called "super zooms". I know I will sacrifice some IQ at both ende but it seems a good compromise in practical terms.

So, looking at what is being offered today I found the Oly 14-150 mk II, the Panasonic 14-140 MKII and the Tamron 14-150 being the most recent.

Note, if you bought the E-M5 mark 2 due to weather sealing, the Olympus 14-150mm mark 2 is weather sealed, but the other lenses are not sealed. I've had the 14-150mm mark 1 for some time, but last weekend, I yielded to temptation, and upgraded to the 14-150mm mark 2 to get a weather sealed package.

I can't tell you how the two compare, since I don't have it yet. There is a sale going on in the USA, and everybody is back ordered.

I don't shoot video with Olympus cameras, so I can't say whether you can hear focusing noise with the lens shot in video.

An alternative to switching lenses is to get a second camera to mount your other lens on. Unless you went with an E-M5 mark 1 (or E-M1/E-M5 mark 2), you would not be able to switch batteries. As I have upgraded cameras over the years, I keep the older bodies to shoot with the secondary lens. But you could also get second hand Pens or Panasonics to act as the second body.

It takes some practice to be able to do two cameras, particularly if they are not the same model. Generally, if you use a shoulder bag, you can put the second camera in the bag, and keep it unzipped, so you can instantly reach if if needed.

Rafael Edwards 2 wrote:

I recently was travelling in Europe. I like to do a lot of street photos. Carrying my new OM5 Mk II and several lenses (Mostly Oly 12-50, 9-18 and 40-150) I found myself losing a lot of opportunities by having to change lenses all the time.

I had the same issue on my last trip to Europe, and so I got the Olympus 14-150II a month of so ago for an upcoming trip.

Then decided to check on the so called "super zooms". I know I will sacrifice some IQ at both ende but it seems a good compromise in practical terms.

Yes, this is true, but IQ doesn't do you any good if you miss the shot altogether.

So, looking at what is being offered today I found the Oly 14-150 mk II, the Panasonic 14-140 MKII and the Tamron 14-150 being the most recent.

All of these sound fine, but I'm concerned about how they compare in terms of Focus speed and Image quality.

I am happy enough with IQ and focus speed on the Oly. I don't have any first hand experience with the others.  My general impression is that they are fairly close, with a slight edge in IQ going to Panasonic.

I have been very pleased with the Olympus version and don't regret the decision.

Rafael Edwards 2 wrote:

The Panny costs more, and then I don't need the OIS, so that would be a 2nd choice unless in IQ and focusing is much better, but I have not found a comparison chart or review on this.

Anny reccomendations or suggestions very welcome!

You can find reviews with resolution/CA and other charts on dpreview (menu "lenses/lens reviews")

Thank you all for the advice. I appreciate the fact that all of you seem to talk from experience so I gather from that that none of the lenses is a lemon, I mean they are all better than OK.

Adam, your opinion weighs from the fact that you have it on the EM5 II which is where I intend to put it. I've experienced a slower response to focus in using Panasonic lenses on the Oly (14mm and 20mm pancakes).... does this happen with the 14-140 II as well?

Michael, I have still my old EM5 and also a EPL7 which i normally use in a belt pouch. I have'n tried to carry 2 cams at once, but it's a thought.

The video edge on the Panny seems interesting, allowing me to turn IBIS off and switch to OIS.

Thanks again... I tend to lean towards the Panasonic, though it's more expensive.

For what it's worth, ephototzine shows the Olympus to be sharper than the Panasonic. Of course, that's the older model. Keep in mind that the new one is weather sealed.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-g-vario-14-140mm-f-3-5-5-6-lens-review-22632#Specification

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/olympus-m-zuiko-digital-ed-14-150mm-f-4-5-6-lens-review-22983

Michael Meissner wrote:

 Generally, if you use a shoulder bag, you can put the second camera in the bag, and keep it unzipped, so you can instantly reach if if needed.

This would be asking for trouble when shooting in the streets. A camera in the unzipped bag can be easily stolen, especially when the photographer is busy with the other camera. Never do this. My camera was stolen from zipped bag, attached to the belt of my trousers. A few thiefs easily make an artificial crowd around and you have no chances.

Rafael Edwards 2 wrote:

The video edge on the Panny seems interesting, allowing me to turn IBIS off and switch to OIS.

Thanks again... I tend to lean towards the Panasonic, though it's more expensive.

I have that Panasonic lens with gx7 and in my opinion it is a good choice. But take into account that any lens with manual zoom is not very good for shooting video as you will not be able to change zoom smoothly. Always some jerks will be inevitable. Motorised zoom make some noise though.

Best lens for video I saw was Sony 3x zoom lens (do not remember the model name) sold as a kit with A6000. It has manual zoom supported with a motor, very quiet and smooth in action.