Looking for a high grade zoom for my Olympus. I like street shooting. Don't need a super zoom, moderate is OK.

Another option is to go for a high grade Leica or Olympus 45mm if they are a lot beter than zooms for IQ. (Prob the Oly 45 unless the Leica is worth the premium for IQ?)

Thanks!

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What range? It sounds like by 'high grade' you mean wider-aperture and sharp?

If so, the only native zoom option currently is the Panasonic 12-35/2.8. The primes (12/2, 20/1.7, 25/1.4, 45/1.8 and 45/2.8) are certainly more economical and are at least as good in terms of quality.

If aperture isn't a concern, the Panasonic 14-45/3.5-5.6 is probably the sharpest of the zooms after the two mentioned above. And of course if AF speed and size aren't an issue, the 4/3 14-54/2.8-3.5 is an excellent lens, and is available for low prices.

DH

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E-M5 | E-PM2 | mZD 12-50 | ZD 12-60 | P 14-42 X | mZD 40-150 R | PL 25 | mZD 45

Aperture, not so much.

Sharpness, YES!

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The Voigtlander 40 1.4 is a good alternative to the Oly 45.
Very sharp.
Also has a cool Bokeh effect.

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Well, primes are almost always going to be sharper than the zooms with few exceptions. That said, I just received my copy of the Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 and it is extremely sharp IMO and offers a useful zoom range. I do wish it was a hair longer range (12-45 / 12-60 would be great), even if it meant a bigger, heavier lens. I've been very impressed with the sharpness and capability of the lens so far, and don't feel like I'm losing a lot of IQ compared to my prime lenses.

What I've been doing the past few days since I got it is carrying the 12-35mm + Oly 45mm for extra reach, and Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 in case f/2.8 still isn't enough light gathering. Based on where I'm going I will throw in another lens or two in my bag to cover UWA or longer tele range, like the 7-14 or 14-140 / 100-300.

At the complete other end of the price spectrum, the 14-45mm has gotten some surprisingly impressive results, as DH noted. Take a look through the sample image thread for it. It's a fraction of the cost, and I don't think I'd compare it directly to a prime lens like I would the 12-35 but it's very good, doubly so for a kit zoom.

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The Four Thirds 12-60mm has outstanding optics in a normal telephoto range.

Street shooting? It seems like you'd want a fast "normal" prime like the 25 1.4. Street is much more difficult with a slow zoom.

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The 14-45mm is a pretty good candidate. Cheap-ish too.

I like the 14-54 II. Decent AF, fast aperture, incredible optical quality, excellent build. Kinda big though. Maybe look at the 14-45 or 12-50 as other very optically excellent lenses.

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X2 - the 12-35 is pretty amazing! Looking forward to the 35-100.

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