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Author Topic: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S  (Read 17940 times)

ACH DIGITAL

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Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« on: August 22, 2013, 02:01:24 pm »

Hello. I'm interested in knowing the real differences between the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS
And the
Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S.
Is there a real difference in sharpness, aside from the construction and filter size?
Thank you.
Ach.
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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2013, 07:40:46 pm »

Does anyone has at least and opinion on either one of them. Are they any good?
ACH
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fike

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2013, 05:02:20 pm »

are you comparing the standard versus the pancake version.  both are average performers...better than any digicam by far but not amazingly sharp or bright or fast or distortion free. 

There are better forums to ask questions like this. Try the http://www.mu-43.com/forum.php forums. I am not trying to be unwelcome, but at this site, you are unlikely to see people discuss a preference between various entry-level lenses.  People here are firmly in the high-end of camera gear.  You could probably see some discussion if you asked about the 12-35 f/2.8 for around a $1000. 

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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2013, 06:14:05 pm »

Mike, thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
ACH
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Ken Bennett

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2013, 08:53:04 pm »

I have two of the Panasonic 14-42 zooms -- they came with cameras as part of the kit. Don't have any idea if they are version I or II -- I didn't even know there was a version II :).

The lenses are fine -- basic kit lenses. Sharp enough, kind of slow. Nothing special but not bad. The build quality is low-end and it has a plastic bayonet mount. If you don't need to shoot video, the original 14-45mm Panny zoom was much better -- well made, metal mount, very sharp and a nice lens overall.

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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2013, 10:54:12 pm »

Hi Bennett,

Actually there are three 14-42. The power zoom that comes with the GX7, the vesion 2 that comes with the G6 and the old one from 2012 and before.
I'm asking just to clear up and know what to expect before buying.
Maybe better to get the body only and the 20mm Pany.
Also i'm planning on getting an adapter for my Nikon lenses which are mostly primes.
The use that I'm giving this camera would be pure pleasure, nothing proffesional.
Thanks so much for your info.
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Ken Bennett

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2013, 09:01:49 am »

Right, forgot about the power zoom.

Depending on which body you purchase, the body only price can be substantially less than the kit -- last week the G5 at Amazon was $299 body only, $498 with the kit lens. Let me assure you that the kit lens is not worth $200.

The reason I have two of them is that when I purchased the Gh2 and my wife's G5, the kit was substantially cheaper than purchasing the body only. (So yeah, adding the lens made it cheaper, so the lens reduced the value of the camera. LOL.)

The Panny 20/1.7 is a very nice lens. Add the 45/1.8 Olympus and I'm happy shooting almost anything.
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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2013, 03:47:48 pm »

I'm going to go for G5 body that's for sure. I don't need much sophistication for this camera. Just taking advantage of that price opportunity.
The link above is an excellent M 4/3 forum.
ACH
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ripgriffith

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2013, 04:40:14 pm »

I am not trying to be unwelcome, but at this site, you are unlikely to see people discuss a preference between various entry-level lenses.  People here are firmly in the high-end of camera gear.  You could probably see some discussion if you asked about the 12-35 f/2.8 for around a $1000. 
Can you be a little more elitist?  I think you are clearly trying to be unwelcom(ing) and shame on you for that.  FYI, there are many of us who are firmly NOT in the high-end of camera gear and who welcome information on any level of equipment.  If that bothers you, then feel free to bypass these posts rather than jumping in and rather nicely saying, "we don't want you here".
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Ken Bennett

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2013, 09:30:21 pm »

The G5 is actually a fine camera, and a very sophisticated little beast. Good files even up to ISO 3200 (shooting raw), it handles well, has a great electronic viewfinder, and the overall feel is one of a speedy, responsive camera. I prefer it to my GH2. In particular, the extra toggle switch on the top (which is made for the power zoom lenses) can be used for exposure compensation if you skip the power zooms. That makes it much faster to use the camera, especially in aperture priority mode. The G5 has a silent shutter mode -- up to ISO 1600 you can shoot with a totally silent shutter. I borrowed it to shoot a church service last spring, and that feature was amazing.

Hope you enjoy it.
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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2013, 03:21:25 pm »

Thanks all for the replies.

ACH
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Ernst Dinkla

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2013, 04:21:11 am »

Of the three, the new one (II) (2013) should have a bit more resolution and is smaller in size. The collapsible one (PZ) is worse on more optical aspects. I went by the Photozone.de (12 vs 16 MP test), Colorfoto.de, DXOmark.com numbers. The last has a nice summary of best lenses for an Olympus E-P5. Had to find a secondhand lens for a new G3 body that was cheap: 179 Euro. Found a hardly used old type 14-42mm + UV filter for 65 Euro. The total about 250 Euro as requested by a friend of the family. Hope she makes good use of it. The II lens is too young for the secondhand market to make a good price.

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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2013, 10:25:02 am »

Ernst,
Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe und für die Links zu den Seiten.
Eine große Welle.
ACH
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AFairley

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2013, 03:50:51 pm »

I found that since I tend to shoot stopped down to around f5.6 with m4/3, there was little visible difference between a number of the kit zooms, including a full 4/3 Oly 14-54mm into the mix.  Wide open might be a different story, but I only tested for the way I use the lenses. 
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donbga

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #14 on: August 29, 2013, 09:59:47 pm »

Hello. I'm interested in knowing the real differences between the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS
And the
Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S.
Is there a real difference in sharpness, aside from the construction and filter size?
Thank you.
Ach.

Both are kit lenses but nothing to write home about.

I use and recommend this lens for that class of zooms (variable f-stop) in that focal length range:

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/g_vario_14_45.html

Yes it's more expensive but was recently priced new at about $200. If you have one of the kit zooms sell it and use the money to purchase a 14-45. If you are interested in video I think you will like this one better.

Don Bryant
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ACH DIGITAL

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2013, 08:07:20 am »

AFairley, thanks for the information.

Don can you tell me more about the 14-45, is it a lot sharper than the others?

ACH
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PeterAit

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2013, 08:27:58 am »

Both are kit lenses but nothing to write home about.

I use and recommend this lens for that class of zooms (variable f-stop) in that focal length range:

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/g_vario_14_45.html

Yes it's more expensive but was recently priced new at about $200. If you have one of the kit zooms sell it and use the money to purchase a 14-45. If you are interested in video I think you will like this one better.

Don Bryant


Do you know of any tests of this lens? I have been using the original 14-45 Lumix for several years (bought with the G2) and feel it's an very good performer given the fact that it's an inexpensive kit lens. But, something markedly better is always welcome.
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Ernst Dinkla

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2013, 09:03:49 am »

B
Do you know of any tests of this lens? I have been using the original 14-45 Lumix for several years (bought with the G2) and feel it's an very good performer given the fact that it's an inexpensive kit lens. But, something markedly better is always welcome.

Both Photozone.de and ColorFoto.de tested it on a 12MP M4/3.

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donbga

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2013, 11:08:31 pm »

AFairley, thanks for the information.

Don can you tell me more about the 14-45, is it a lot sharper than the others?

ACH

SLR Gear has a competent review of this lens; overall the 14-45 is the best of the lot (m4/3s 14-4x kit zooms).

To answer your question directly, IME, it is a lot sharper than the others mentioned.

If sharpness trumps any of your other requirements then be prepared to spend money on the crem-della-crem zooms and/or primes.


Don Bryant
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xpatUSA

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Re: Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. O.I.S
« Reply #19 on: September 09, 2013, 05:11:26 pm »

Quote from: fike on August 23, 2013, 04:02:20 PM
I am not trying to be unwelcome, but at this site, you are unlikely to see people discuss a preference between various entry-level lenses.  People here are firmly in the high-end of camera gear.  You could probably see some discussion if you asked about the 12-35 f/2.8 for around a $1000.


Can you [fike] be a little more elitist?  I think you are clearly trying to be unwelcom(ing) and shame on you for that.  FYI, there are many of us who are firmly NOT in the high-end of camera gear and who welcome information on any level of equipment.  If that bothers you, then feel free to bypass these posts rather than jumping in and rather nicely saying, "we don't want you here".

I was just about to leave the room and get my coat, but saw this fine post. Good one!

Proud owner of a Panasonic 14-45mm (G1 kit lens)  :)

Which I prefer greatly to the later cheap plastic mount 14-42mm, as we all should do . . .
« Last Edit: September 09, 2013, 11:26:51 pm by xpatUSA »
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best regards,

Ted
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