Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens, for Micro Four Thirds Camera (Black)

Comment

I got this lens to go on a M10 for when I need to do some quick candid shots at some events. I wanted something lighter and more compact than the 12-50. I got it just before Presidents Day weekend and had a chance to take it out to some locations for everyday photography. I found that it focused quickly and accurately in nearly every situation. The surprise was that the images were quite sharp even at the edges when stopped down to about 7.1. Colors are accurate and contrasty. Lens flair is generally well controlled which was good as I didnt have a hood for it. I know there may be some variations out there, but the one that I got exceeds my expectations. Its likely to be on the camera most of the time.

Show more

Comment

Seems pretty good. Using it on a DJI Inspire 1 v2 Pro with the Zenmuse X5. It seems pretty noisy and isnt a very smooth zoom. It seems to jump a little from one zoom to the next zoom level. Images seem pretty clear, but not as sharp as any of the primes (25mm or 45mm M.Zuiko). I was hoping that it would save me from having to land and switch lenses for various shots, but I guess not...its a nice lens and good enough to use and have fun with. Dont know that its good enough for professional jobs. For hobbyist and people having fun i think its a good lens ..like usual, you get what you pay for (and it isnt a very expensive lens). Worth the money it costs? Definitely ..Im just trying to be honest for other Inspire pilots that are considering getting one. Hopefully this helps anyone whos on the fence about the purchase.

Show more

Comment

This is the best lens Ive bought in a while because of its convenience - I put it on an Olympus PEN E-P2 camera that wasnt being used. Now Ive turned my old camera into a good, go anywhere camera with no hassles. I just turn on the camera, the lens extends and Im ready to go. I also bought the automatically opening / closing lens cap for the lens, no cap to remove and store, perfect. The zoom works very smooth and is silent - I havent tried it on my GH4 yet but I like the silent operation. Also like that you can sort of program the zoom between two objects. For me, its made an old camera new again as I keep it close ready to shoot with. THE GOOD - 35mm equivalent of 28mm - 84mm for my M 4/3 format camera is just right for what Im using it for. Lens quality is good, pretty sharp, not that fast but for what Im using it for its great. Im using it for work and take 100-200 images a day of boat parts, on the ocean, parts and damage. Overall good lens for the money. 600 plus images so far, good. THE OK - Although I knew this before buying it, its not great for close work. If you need macro capabilities this isnt your lens but does work well at 7-8 inches. With the good image quality of my old E-P2, shooting in RAW I can get get really good cropped images so I havent really needed macro capabilities. Olympus sells a macro screw on adapter (dont like adapters too much) and I may buy and try. THE BAD - For Me - Nothing.

Show more

Comment

I bought this as a walking around lens for use with an Olympus Pen camera. My regular camera is a bigger Nikon, but I like to carry the Olympus to have a compact but good quality camera when Im out but not primarily taking pictures. I figured this compact 14-42 would make for a pocket-friendly camera. The good news is this lens does make a good compact package. The less-good news is the optical quality is no match for the longer Olympus 14-42. The focus is soft -- though I lucked into a few good shots where the soft focus became an unexpected plus. I found the electronic zoom mechanism slow and awkward compared to the normal mechanical zoom on the standard 14-42 and all my other lenses. Ultimately I sold this lens and went back to its less-compact, but optically superior cousin. I would recommend this lens for someone who wants a small, always available camera. But for me the optical trade-off and awkward zoom mechanism wasnt acceptable. That said, Im still a big fan of Olympus cameras combined with carefully chosen Olympus or Sony lenses.

Show more

Comment

I have been looking and researching a new camera for some time to replace an older Fuji X-100 as my primary camera and an Oly 620 SLR. However, I went back and forth about a Canon G5X and the Olympus OM-D M5 Mark II as I wasnt sure if I really needed all the features of the Oly. I decided to buy the Oly and the 12-42 pro lens but didnt know about this lens. My primary lens for the Oly will be the 12-42 Pro as it is a really outstanding lens. However, I saw this lens after I bought my Oly and thought I would buy it just to see how it works. Although it will never have the picture quality and low light capabilities of that pro lens, it essentially makes a pocket camera nearly identical to the Canon. Its a quick way to make a pocket camera and still have the features of the other lens capability. I wanted the sealing of the body of the Oly as the Canon doesnt have that. this lens isnt sealed, but my pro is and thats good enough. I wouldnt recommend this as the primary lens for the M5 II, but I think its a must have for your kit. I have an Alaska cruise planned in June, and will really get to put this Oly kit to the test. In test pictures side by side in the last few days, with and without the flash, this little pancake lens does a terrific job. I like that my M5 II is now like two cameras. Just make sure you get that Oly lens cover with this lens. I wasnt sure about that at first, but its a must have for this lens. You cant use a filter, but thats what my pro and my other lenses are for. If you are on the fence about this lens, I really recommend it for the M5 II.

Show more

Comment

Optically on my OMD-EM-5 this lens is sharp. At least as sharp if not sharper than the original 14-42mm Olympus made for its pen line and which I owned on the EP-2. Where it excels dramatically is its size and convenience as well as its appearance when mounted on the small Olympus pen and OMD bodies. The zoom is smooth and quiet which facilitates video. Coupled this with the self-opening and closing lens cap available as an optional accessory and I think this should be the standard kit lens for the Pen and OMD E line of cameras. Go for it. It represents good value. I also own the 17mm Oly prime and the 14-150mm Oly zoom. I believe this lens competes well in image quality with both of these lenses. With the JPEG processor in the EM-5, I get some really beautiful images and prints. And thats the bottom line.

Show more

Comment

I own many olympus lenses and they all serve different purposes. To maintain the omd and pen series as a pocket camera, this is a must have lens. Sure, not great in low light. isnt made for action. But for a day with the family. a day in the city. or to make sure you always have your camera with you this is a must have lens that is very versatile. got it on sale for 200 and its a no brainer. Should have bought the auto close lens cap, Ill order it soon. Picture that is added has no post production. just threw it on on my OMD EM10 and this was one of the first shots I took at my kitchen table. Glad I bought this lens. The zoom process is slower than doing it by hand with the kit lens, but whatever. Im fine with it.

Show more

Comment

Here is a just-got-it, digging-it review. Time will tell if I edit this to address any issues. This is a great walk-around lens that gives me the range that I want without the bulk of the kit lens. I am using it on an Olympus OM-D E-M10 and the two together are an awesome combination. Focus is quick, Zoom is powered which is a bit different from every other M4/3 lens that I have in my kit. But I am slowly getting used to that. I do wish that Olympus would include the lens cap that automatically opens with this lens. I will probably spring for that at some point, hopefully before I lose the simple cap that came in the box.

Show more

Comment

The lense purchased, a pancake one, began popping in and out, with black appearing on the screen and through the view finder and getting stuff when turning the camera off, just shy of 4 months after Id purchased from this seller. I contacted them multiple times in the hopes that theyd provided some assistance or support as they state theyre willing to "extra mile" and "do right" in their bio. However, have yet to hear anything. Doesnt seem plausible that their merchandise is "professionally checked and cleaned by a manufacturer-authorized repair shop prior" to sale as they disappoint. What a waste of money.

Show more

Comment

An essential lens for those who want to take a camera into the city and take photos with no extra equipment. It takes up no space on your body, and unlike the other lenses its size, it allows you to zoom to a portrait telephoto. Not very bright, and not the most clear at the edges, but gets the job done. The convenience of the size is a massive appeal to me.

Show more