Oly 14-42 3.5-5.6 mk1 vs Panasonic 14-42 3.5-5.6 Mega OIS

I'm going to sell my old Olympus E-P2 body and I'm debating whether to sell it with the Oly 14-42 3.5-5.6 mk1 or the Panasonic 14-42 3.5-5.6 Mega OIS.

I don't use much any of this lens, but I'd like to keep a zoom in that range just in case. Which one is better to keep? They seem pretty similar to me IQ wise, and with my current e-m10 body the OIS can't be used. The oly is also more compact, but that doesn't bother me at all.

What would you do?

If Panasonic versión is II, it is supposed to be much better IQ wise than the oly one.

Amt0571 wrote:

Jose Alberto wrote:

If Panasonic versión is II, it is supposed to be much better IQ wise than the oly one.

I didn't know there was a ii. I've looked at it and it's the 1 version.

I don't like that it has a plastic mount vs the oly metal. The oly seems flimsy with all that telescoping to extend the lens though.

The Pany 14~42 mk-I is the worst M43 lens I ever owned. Not on IQ (although it is marginally behind 14~45, 12~32 and the 14~42 PZ), it disappointed me mainly on the operation front. My copy has a very tough zoom and focus ring.

I got it free with GF3. After tested a few times in the field, hated it, wished to sell it. However the ridiculous low offering price of <US$30 did not worth for my effort. Been idle in my dry box for many years until now.

I suppose the Oly could be better?

I have the Panasonic mk2 it is a very capable lens, I like it a lot, it is definitely better than the mk1. I did not like the Olympus simply because of the annoying locking mechanism.

If you see no difference in images and are indifferent on how they feel, flip a coin.

Plan B: sell them both and put the money towards a used Panasonic 14-42 Mk2 or, for less money but good image quality but older, a used Panasonic 14-45. Both can be had in good used condition on EBay or from a dealer like KEH, if you're US-based. And there's always used on Amazon.whereveryoulive.com

I have both the Panny 14-42 Mk2 and the Panny 14-45 but prefer the former because it's smaller. I sold the Panasonic 14-42 Mk1 that came with an older body I bought some years ago.

Alan

Amt0571 wrote:

I didn't know there was a ii. I've looked at it and it's the 1 version

The original Panasonic 14-42 takes a 52 mm filter. The newer Panasonic 14-42, which is much better, takes a 46 mm filter

Amt0571 wrote:

I'm going to sell my old Olympus E-P2 body and I'm debating whether to sell it with the Oly 14-42 3.5-5.6 mk1 or the Panasonic 14-42 3.5-5.6 Mega OIS.

I don't use much any of this lens, but I'd like to keep a zoom in that range just in case. Which one is better to keep? They seem pretty similar to me IQ wise, and with my current e-m10 body the OIS can't be used. The oly is also more compact, but that doesn't bother me at all.

What would you do?

But on average...

Olympus 14-42mm mk1 is the worst kit lens

Panasonic 14-42mm mk1 is only slightly (smidgen) better

But because of copy variance they are probably equally bad.

Olympus ez 14-42mm and Panasonic pz 14-42mm are both much smaller and quite a bit better. Although I think the Panasonic is optically better It is also very susceptible to shutter shock so probably end up taking worse photos (than the oly) unless you use electronic shutter exclusively

Panasonic 12-32mm ... Best tiny standard zoom out there. Build quality is crap though (albeit easy to fix if the ring comes loose).

Panasonic 12-60mm little more expensive than the others but still a great all rounder.

Olympus 14-42mm mkii (was there a difference between mkii and mkii r?) Is better and a wonderful plastic fantastic. One of the best kit zooms.

Panasonic 14-45mm and Panasonic 14-42mm mkii are probably the two best kit zooms in MFT. 14-45 supposedly has the edge on the tele side. The 14-42mm has the advantage in the wide side as well as being much smaller.

I'm not including the other kit zooms as they are not cheap kit zooms (Panasonic PL 12-60mm, Olympus 12-45 pro etc).

So with all that said, not taking copy variance into consideration, I would sell the Oly. Taking copy variance into account, and assuming the Panasonic 14-42mm is mk1 and not mkii, sell both Oly and Panny and get the Panasonic 14-42mm mkii or Oly 14-42mm mkii. If you want small, get the Panasonic 12-32mm. And if you want range, the Panasonic 12-60mm. Actually, if the Oly and Panny are both mki, just sell both.