Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens, Standard Zoom, Suitable for All MFT Cameras (Olympus OM-D & PEN Models, Panasonic G-Series), Black

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For instance, I bought an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II as a kit with the 14-42mm II R and it was a screaming deal! Especially considering the respectable optical performance that can be coaxed out of this lens. If you are already considering buying an Olympus body that offers a kit with this lens, I think it’s a no-brainer to grab it! What I Dislike! Retail Pricing This lens isn't a "constant" lens, in that as you increase the focal length, the maximum aperture size decreases. The following table reflects the change as you zoom: Focal length The lens isn't designed specifically for macro work, but it's not that bad: a minimum focusing distance of just under 10 inches (25cm), with a magnification ratio of 0.23x.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MkII Lens Review

You can't really fault this lens given that it's mostly sold as part of a kit, but even if you do decide to buy it separately, it's incredibly good value for money. I used it alongside the Zuiko 12-60 for a couple of months and while that lens is certainly in a different league, the IQ difference isn't as dramatic as you might expect. This lens is perfectly capable of producing great shots. If you are purchasing your first micro four-thirds camera and looking at an Olympus that comes with this lens, you might as well get it! Especially if you are a novice photographer that will get much use out of a standard zoom.The mediocre resolution means that I've given up the convenience of the lens for the old Lumix 14-45 and thereby lies a tale. Also typical of wide angles is a hefty barrel distortion in the wide range. The 14-42mm lens does show some barrel distortion, seen most significantly at 14mm; however, it is well-controlled, showing only a maximum distortion (in the corners) of 1%. As the focal length increases, the distortion decreases quite linearly, until it becomes negligible by 35mm.

Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R Review | PCMag

We've previously tested each lens individually using the ePHOTOzine test bench. you can see results here: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MkI and Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MkII. Our results show that while both lenses are very good, the MKI has the better performance especially at the edges of the frame when shooting wide open. When you stop down the lenses equal out. So if low light shooting is important you'd be better looking out for the older lens. That said, we've never once missed a shot because the lens took too long to reach shooting mode from the off position, or because the mechanism took too long to zoom to where we wanted it. When the lens is not being used, it can be collapsed down to almost half its length when in use, which is perfect for stowing the camera and lens away in a small bag or case. To collapse the lens, a switch located on the zoom ring needs to be pressed forward and the zoom turned past 14mm, which is fairly easy to perform.

The Micro Four Thirds sensor is about half the size of an APS-C type, which means larger-format mirrorless cameras tend to produce better image quality at high ISO settings. Yet, Olympus holds its own lower down the ISO range and does incorporate a highly effective 5-axis, in-body stabilisation system to help get sharp shots in low light. Both lenses are made in China and the MKI's metal mount has been substituted with a plastic mount. The metal makes that satisfyng chink as you connect body to lens, while the plastic one is slightly quieter. In terms of durability the metal is a bit more rugged but neither option should cause you any problems over the years. That said, it was enormously convenient and it is far from the worse kit lens in this world! It runs circles around the Sony 16-50, which is the kit equivalent for the A6000. The newer design has around 25% reduction in weight, so the old 150g is now a featherweight 112g. And a smaller barrel diameter of 56.5mm from 62mm makes it slimmer, with a filter size reduced from 40.5mm to 37mm.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III EZ Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III EZ

Regular camera settings are easy to get to as well. Pressing the small button next to the camera’s power switch displays a touch-sensitive info screen – you tap the setting you want to adjust and then turn the dials to change it. Macro performance is fairly good with the 14-42mm ƒ/3.5-5.6, at 0.24x magnification (1:4.2 reproduction), but it's no substitute for a dedicated macro lens. Excellent results for corner shading - at every aperture and focal length setting, the corners are only a quarter-stop darker than the center, pretty much across the entire focal length and aperture range.I wanted to compare this with the ED L lens that came with my E-PL1 but I found it much softer!! Fortunately I had read the previous review posted by Bruce Coxley. I did what he had done, i.e., reset the lens and it changed the whole thing! Curiously, macro performance has taken a bit of a hit compared to the previous model - just 0.19x magnification instead of the previous 0.24x magnification. Minimum close-focusing distance is unchanged at 25cm (just under a foot). I think what happens often is that people immediately deem a lens to be inferior simply because it's viewed as a "kit" lens without actually using it. Panasonic's all-in-one lens offers the same range of focal lengths and then some, and is as sharp or sharper at the same settings; results for CA and distortion were equally impressive. As noted above, using the Panasonic lens on the Olympus body may not necessarily provide this level of performance.