To Panasonic 45-175 users: feedback from your experience please

To those who have used this lens in real life:

I am looking for a small and light travel zoom in the 50-200 range.

The Panasonic lightweight small and compact 45-175 specs fits my requirements, but there is very little feedback from actual users around the web and only a few old reviews.

My main questions :

• Is the sensor shock still an issue on GX8 or G7, or does the auto-e-shutter feature solve it?
• How does it AF on GM5, G7, GX8?
• How is the OIS performance on GM5,  G7, GX8
• Does it feel tough and well built ? 

I just acquired this lens and used it this week on my GX-85 walking around NYC. I am very happy with it so far. In two weeks I plan on using it for its intended purpose of shooting an air show in Florida. I traded  up from the 45-150mm and like both the zoom-wide angle button on the side and also the fact that the lens does not change length as you zoom. Additionaly the GX-85 EVF shows the exact zoom range as you zoom.

If you've had both the 45-150 and 45-175, is there any difference in sharpness between the two?  I'm a new GX9 owner and bought the 45-150 as it seemed such a bargain at $147 but my first copy was not sharp at all and the second one much improved, but not as sharp (at 60mm) as the kit 12-60, 3.5-5.6 lens that came with the camera.

HPNAviator wrote:

I just acquired this lens and used it this week on my GX-85 walking around NYC. I am very happy with it so far. In two weeks I plan on using it for its intended purpose of shooting an air show in Florida. I traded up from the 45-150mm and like both the zoom-wide angle button on the side and also the fact that the lens does not change length as you zoom. Additionaly the GX-85 EVF shows the exact zoom range as you zoom.

I was looking to replace the 45-200 mk-I a few years ago and originally had 45-175 PZ in mind. Eventually when put both of the 2 lenses on the table, I picked 45-150 because of its smaller size on parking position.

According to review, 45-150 should slightly sharper than 45-175 PZ. In real life, I am quite happy with this low cost mid-tele lens:

45-150 wild open  on GX7

Tatouzou wrote:

To those who have used this lens in real life:

I am looking for a small and light travel zoom in the 50-200 range.

The Panasonic lightweight small and compact 45-175 specs fits my requirements, but there is very little feedback from actual users around the web and only a few old reviews.

My main questions :

• Is the sensor shock still an issue on GX8 or G7, or does the auto-e-shutter feature solve it?
• How does it AF on GM5, G7, GX8?
• How is the OIS performance on GM5, G7, GX8
• Does it feel tough and well built ?

+ 2 more questions for those who actually have used the lenses :

• How does it compare with the 14-140 Mk2 across their common range? I have the 14-140 Mk2, I love its convenience. But, IMO, though it is better than it should be as a superzoom, at the long end, it is rather soft and lacks contrast between 80 and 140.
• How does it compare with the 35-100 f4-5.6 across their common range ? I have the 35-100 and, IMO it is rather sharp and contrasty.

I have discarded the 45-150 and the 45-200: 150 is too little extra range above 140 I can get with my 14-140, and the 45-200, though I appreciate it being splash and dust proof, is bigger and twice the weight of the 45-175.

Dont forget my purpose is a travel tele zoom and my main zoom will be the 12-60. Also ,  I am thrilled by the powerzoom feature to test it for video and remote control, though I am mostly a still shooter.

Than you for the samples.

Nice pictures, pleasant, sharp and bright. Are they OOC JPEG or did you process to taste ?

Only 5/6MP. Are they cropped or resized?

.

Really good lens, no problems using and surprisingly sharp. Orginally had a 45-200 but never that happy with it so took a chance on the 45-175 and was glad I did. Thought that losing 25mm at the long end would be a problem but found that the sharpness of the 45-175 more than made up for it.

Can’t say I have ever seen any shutter shock on the G7, GX8 or G80 but then From memory I thought it had been blamed on a couple of other lenses.

My advice would be to go for it, you won’t be disappointed.

Peterd21 wrote:

Really good lens, no problems using and surprisingly sharp. Orginally had a 45-200 but never that happy with it so took a chance on the 45-175 and was glad I did. Thought that losing 25mm at the long end would be a problem but found that the sharpness of the 45-175 more than made up for it.

Can’t say I have ever seen any shutter shock on the G7, GX8 or G80 but then From memory I thought it had been blamed on a couple of other lenses.

My advice would be to go for it, you won’t be disappointed.

I will probably follow your advice and get the 45 175.

maltmoose wrote:

Works very well when used with the GM5. Incredible small light package with great range. Handles very well and internal focusing.

Also works well as a closeup lens for flowers and insects and could use either extension tube or add on close up lens

The power IOS is very good on this lens and can hand hold at low speeds if careful. I used to set it at 1/30 and max iso 800 to get some good IQ if no moving subjects

Its a sharp lens with decent bokeh for a lens like this, sharpness drops off at the long end a little but still perfectly acceptable and im quite fusy.

I sold much of my m43 kit and have only kept the small kit i consider good as ive also got fuji and FF.

0 shutter shock on GM5

I kept

GM5

I enjoy mine, though I often have to fiddle with its specific ergonomy.

45-175 (is there anything else this small, light, cheap and good out there)

All those who have answered this thread are happy users: I will probably joint the band.

12-32 (dont like this one for various reasons but IQ is ok and tiny like the GM5) much prefer a prime, which are

Same for mine. I suggest you to consider also the Panasonic 12-60 f4-5.6, nice range and better than the 12-32, same size and weight as the 45-175, and / or the 14-140, marginally bigger, better than one can expect from a superzoom, and so convenient.  Both are OK on GM5, though I use them more often on G7 or GX8.

pany 20 1.7

My latest toy, I like it

oly 25 1.8 (this may seem redundant but i like this lens and its a fast focuser unlike the 20 1.7)

I have the Pany f1.7, also 25mm, fast focusing and AFC compatible, plasticky but optically excellent.

pany 42.5 1.7 (highly recommended)

It was the first M43 prime I got. Love it for portraits or details close-ups.

Small powerful kit

Indeed!

Thank you for your detailed answer.

I love my 45-175, having owned it for over year now. You can see plenty of sample pictures taken with a 45-175 here .

Peadingle wrote:

I love my 45-175, having owned it for over year now. You can see plenty of sample pictures taken with a 45-175 here .

Woww, you seem to enjoy it a lot.

I like your gallery and some of the 45-175 samples are outstanding.