Which Panasonic kit lens is this?

Just found a cheap Panasonic GX7 with a silver kit lens that could be this: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS. A bit smaller than my old 14-42 kit lens. The seller not sure. So are there other silver large 14-42s? And if it's this lens, how good? Compared to the 12-32 (which I hope to get with a body.)? Only got the oldest one, not good.

Camera and lens is $250, in a store I know. GX7 is high on my list, I like the EVF and stabilization, and only got G3 and GX1. The alternative is body only with 3 batteries for $220. Not the same battery as in G3/GX1?

Also been thinking of GM5, not often to be seen. I guess the GX7 EVF is bether and larger (using glasses).

Panasonic has made two different 14-42 non-collapsing lenses (i.e., not talking about the 14-42 PZ lens). I have owned both of them, as well as the 14-45. My opinions:

1. Original 14-42 was mediocre;

2. The 14-42 v.II, which is a completely new lens, is actually quite good for a kit lens. It is fairly well built, operates smoothly, is sharp, and the lens barrel hardly extends at all when zooming. I got this lens as part of a kit with a camera, and after comparing it to the 14-45 (which has a huge following here), I sold the 14-45. I though the IQ was on a par with the 14-45, and it was smaller, lighter, and smoother to operate. With the update to firmware v. 1.1, the 14-42 v.II lens is Dual IS capable (though the GX7 is not).

Be aware that the kit versions of the 14-42 v.II lens come with a plastic lens mount. I think the separately retail packaged versions of this lens come with a metal lens mount. I wouldn't worry about it.

It sounds like you and the seller are not completely sure which lens this is. The Panasonic model number of the v. II lens is H-FS1442A, which should be printed on the lens. Also, the lens barrel should only extend less than 1/2" when zooming. Here's what the v.II lens looks like: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1182742-REG/panasonic_h_fs1442aka_14_42mm_f_3_5_5_6_f_dmc_gx8_dual.html

It would be a quite usable lens on the GX7.

brentbrent wrote:

Panasonic has made two different 14-42 non-collapsing lenses (i.e., not talking about the 14-42 PZ lens). I have owned both of them, as well as the 14-45. My opinions:

1. Original 14-42 was mediocre;

2. The 14-42 v.II, which is a completely new lens, is actually quite good for a kit lens. It is fairly well built, operates smoothly, is sharp, and the lens barrel hardly extends at all when zooming. I got this lens as part of a kit with a camera, and after comparing it to the 14-45 (which has a huge following here), I sold the 14-45. I though the IQ was on a par with the 14-45, and it was smaller, lighter, and smoother to operate. With the update to firmware v. 1.1, the 14-42 v.II lens is Dual IS capable (though the GX7 is not).

Be aware that the kit versions of the 14-42 v.II lens come with a plastic lens mount. I think the separately retail packaged versions of this lens come with a metal lens mount. I wouldn't worry about it.

It sounds like you and the seller are not completely sure which lens this is. The Panasonic model number of the v. II lens is H-FS1442A, which should be printed on the lens. Also, the lens barrel should only extend less than 1/2" when zooming. Here's what the v.II lens looks like: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1182742-REG/panasonic_h_fs1442aka_14_42mm_f_3_5_5_6_f_dmc_gx8_dual.html

It would be a quite usable lens on the GX7.

Thanks, that was very helpful! Not a lens I would use much, but good to know a little, if I sell it with GX1. The old kit lens I got was faulty, and not impressed by the replacement even with no fault. Looking for GX7 with 12-32 but no found any here.

hindesite wrote:

That's the (IMHO) best of the 14-42/45 kit lenses from both manufacturers. Small, smooth (for m4/3 lenses), and good IQ. DFD, decently quick AF. Some flare.

It probably has a plastic mount, which I prefer for these small lenses anyway; I guess that depends on whether you change your lenses often (I do) and whether you want to wear out your body lens mount or the mount on some cheap kit lens.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3566159

Good to hear that. So plastic is better for the camera (lens mount) and metal better for the lens? I would not change this lens often. Mostly the 20 and Sigma 60. May get a 12-32 for $80, but a litle scratch on the lens...

- And now a DMW-LVF2E appeared. Should fit my GX1, and got tilt! But $180 secondhand seems a but high. After seeing images of the "hump", would like GX7 better.

Personally, I prefer metal lens mounts, as they strike me as more durable.  I change lenses a lot, and I have no concern about wearing out the mounts as a result of both of them being metal.

This lens is so light and so inexpensive, though, that even if the plastic lens mount might theoretically be easier to break, I doubt it would actually happen and it wouldn't be a disaster if it did.  You would only be paying like $25 for this lens, right?

Tom Caldwell wrote:

Speaking of the GX7 - it is one of my favourite camera bodies - I use it just as frequently as my GX85 and consider them “a pair”. No doubt the GX85 is better specified but the GX7 was a standout camera body when it was released and is still a very competitive camera today.

In reality those that have the better camera bodies will tend to hang on to them and keep using them - especially when there are no more to be bought. (Therefore hard to find on the second hand market).

There! .... and I did not mention the GM5 even once ....

Just my thought after reading some reviews. It sure is worth the money. 3 batteries would be nice, but do not have a good kit zoom lens. A bit larger than I thought but in many ways better than G3.

Good you did not mention GM5, saw one last year, but soon it was was gone.

brentbrent wrote:

Personally, I prefer metal lens mounts, as they strike me as more durable. I change lenses a lot, and I have no concern about wearing out the mounts as a result of both of them being metal.

This lens is so light and so inexpensive, though, that even if the plastic lens mount might theoretically be easier to break, I doubt it would actually happen and it wouldn't be a disaster if it did. You would only be paying like $25 for this lens, right?

Hm, don't know what I would pay for the lens, lens and camera is $250. The other option was camera and no lens and 3 batteries for $220. Usually ok with one battery.

eilivk wrote:

lens and camera is $250. The other option was camera and no lens and 3 batteries for $220.

If the two cameras are in comparable condition, I'd go for the one with the lens.  Aftermarket batteries are cheap.

There's a procedure to check the shutter actuation count on a GX7.  It's a bit complicated, but I could probably find it for you if you want to ask the two sellers to do that.  It only counts the mechanical shutter (which is the one that can wear out), not the e-shutter.

brentbrent wrote:

eilivk wrote:

lens and camera is $250. The other option was camera and no lens and 3 batteries for $220.

If the two cameras are in comparable condition, I'd go for the one with the lens. Aftermarket batteries are cheap.

There's a procedure to check the shutter actuation count on a GX7. It's a bit complicated, but I could probably find it for you if you want to ask the two sellers to do that. It only counts the mechanical shutter (which is the one that can wear out), not the e-shutter.

Thanks, that would be very helpful! Had not thought of it. This store sells pro cameras and should know this.

Go to this web page and scroll down to get to the GX7. The procedure is a bit complex and requires some finger dexterity. It often took me a few tries to get there!

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-camera/panasonic-g-shutter-count

eilivk wrote:

Just found a cheap Panasonic GX7 with a silver kit lens that could be this: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS

I bought this one for abut 150 EUR to replace Olympus 14-42 R II which came with my E-M10 and which I hated with a passion (also helped by the fact that my copy was garbage past 20mm). I like the Panasonic. For a cheapo kit lens, it performs well at all focal lengths and apertures and is build pretty well despite being all plastic. It's also small. It is in fact the smallest of all the 14-4x kit zooms. All good things.

Camera and lens is $250, in a store I know.

That's a very good price in my book.

Also been thinking of GM5, not often to be seen. I guess the GX7 EVF is bether and larger (using glasses).

I absolutely love my GM5. But yeah, EVF is not its biggest strength, especially for glasses wearers.

brentbrent wrote:

Go to this web page and scroll down to get to the GX7. The procedure is a bit complex and requires some finger dexterity. It often took me a few tries to get there!

https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-camera/panasonic-g-shutter-count

Found it at once, and now in print! Thanks! Good to know when I sell cameras (got to, some day...)

Astrotripper wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Just found a cheap Panasonic GX7 with a silver kit lens that could be this: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS

I bought this one for abut 150 EUR to replace Olympus 14-42 R II which came with my E-M10 and which I hated with a passion (also helped by the fact that my copy was garbage past 20mm). I like the Panasonic. For a cheapo kit lens, it performs well at all focal lengths and apertures and is build pretty well despite being all plastic. It's also small. It is in fact the smallest of all the 14-4x kit zooms. All good things.

Camera and lens is $250, in a store I know.

That's a very good price in my book.

Also been thinking of GM5, not often to be seen. I guess the GX7 EVF is bether and larger (using glasses).

I absolutely love my GM5. But yeah, EVF is not its biggest strength, especially for glasses wearers.

Interesting, but I have seen one 14-4x kit lens nearly as small as the 12-32? This was larger. Well anyway, the camera is cheap...

eilivk wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Just found a cheap Panasonic GX7 with a silver kit lens that could be this: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS

[...] It's also small. It is in fact the smallest of all the 14-4x kit zooms.

Interesting, but I have seen one 14-4x kit lens nearly as small as the 12-32? This was larger. Well anyway, the camera is cheap...

Ah, you're right of course. I forgot to mention I meant non-power zooms. Both Panasonic and Olympus make smaller pancake 14-42 power zooms (I bet that's what you saw). I actually have the Panasonic 14-42 PZ myself. Interestingly, in terms of image quality, it's pretty much the same as 14-42 II as far as I can tell. Maybe with a bit less purple fringing on the PZ one.

Astrotripper wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Just found a cheap Panasonic GX7 with a silver kit lens that could be this: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS

[...] It's also small. It is in fact the smallest of all the 14-4x kit zooms.

Interesting, but I have seen one 14-4x kit lens nearly as small as the 12-32? This was larger. Well anyway, the camera is cheap...

Ah, you're right of course. I forgot to mention I meant non-power zooms. Both Panasonic and Olympus make smaller pancake 14-42 power zooms (I bet that's what you saw). I actually have the Panasonic 14-42 PZ myself. Interestingly, in terms of image quality, it's pretty much the same as 14-42 II as far as I can tell. Maybe with a bit less purple fringing on the PZ one.

Don't think which lens is that important for buying. But IQ is, checked G3 and GX7, thought there would be more difference, but stabilization should mean a lot, for the 20 and 60mm. Could use lower ISO.

eilivk wrote:

hindesite wrote:

That's the (IMHO) best of the 14-42/45 kit lenses from both manufacturers. Small, smooth (for m4/3 lenses), and good IQ. DFD, decently quick AF. Some flare.

It probably has a plastic mount, which I prefer for these small lenses anyway; I guess that depends on whether you change your lenses often (I do) and whether you want to wear out your body lens mount or the mount on some cheap kit lens.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3566159

Good to hear that. So plastic is better for the camera (lens mount) and metal better for the lens? I would not change this lens often. Mostly the 20 and Sigma 60. May get a 12-32 for $80, but a litle scratch on the lens...

- And now a DMW-LVF2E appeared. Should fit my GX1, and got tilt! But $180 secondhand seems a but high. After seeing images of the "hump", would like GX7 better.

When I bought GX1, the free LVF2 was a major reason luring me to a RF form factor. I am a vf guy.

When upgraded to GX7, a lot of good experience on the intergrated evf. The auto evf/LCD switch, the much higher resolution that gives better detail and brighter as well ( sadly it is smaller because when shooting 4:3 the 0.7x magnification evf would be reduced to 0.52x around, smaller than LVF2), able to use Touch Pad AF etc. Best of all, the evf of GX7 is flippable like LVF2 forecast level shooting which I do a lot.

eilivk wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Just found a cheap Panasonic GX7 with a silver kit lens that could be this: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS

[...] It's also small. It is in fact the smallest of all the 14-4x kit zooms.

Interesting, but I have seen one 14-4x kit lens nearly as small as the 12-32? This was larger. Well anyway, the camera is cheap...

Ah, you're right of course. I forgot to mention I meant non-power zooms. Both Panasonic and Olympus make smaller pancake 14-42 power zooms (I bet that's what you saw). I actually have the Panasonic 14-42 PZ myself. Interestingly, in terms of image quality, it's pretty much the same as 14-42 II as far as I can tell. Maybe with a bit less purple fringing on the PZ one.

Don't think which lens is that important for buying. But IQ is, checked G3 and GX7, thought there would be more difference, but stabilization should mean a lot, for the 20 and 60mm. Could use lower ISO.

Had read your comment on stabilisation on G3 and GX7 a few times...

I suppose your should aware that GX7 was the first test bed of Penny on IBIS and according to my home testing, it is around 0.5~1 stop effective for non OIS lens only. For OIS lenses, GX7 is the same as G3 and any Panny cameras (IBIS or not), uses lens OIS only. The more effective DUAL IS is only available on GX85 and later models. Basically GX7 will have marginal advantage on stabilisation when shooting with non OIS lens. When an OIS lens be considered, they have the same stabilisation.

More obvious different would be happened on GX85 or later. IMHO, if slower shutter speed can be used, the 3~3.5 stops stabilisation of lens OIS of a f/3.5~XX lens, e.g. 14~45, could be far more usable than 14 f/2.5 or even a f/1.7 lens on GX7.