I'm going to buy one of these as a walkabout for my forthcoming hols. Mint used the Pana will cost me UKP69 while the Oly will be UKP99. Does anyone know if one is going to be any better than the other? I guess IQ and focus speed are the key things for me.

Many thanks.

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Tricky one - I think IQ goes to the Olympus, as does size when collapsed. I'd expect the Panasonic to survive abuse better though, not that you would :) You probably know that the OIS in the Panasonic won't work on a Pen because it doesn't have a switch.

If they were the same price I'd go with Olympus.

So in summary, get the 3rd choice - the Panasonic 14-45 :) It's what I did.

Does the 14-45mm make sense on an Oly body? There's one for sale in the classified here so I've added the option to the thread title.

My thoughts so far:
1. I prefer that it doesn't collapse and don't care that it is a bit bulkier.
2. I've read that it has better build quality than the 14-42.
3. It has an off switch for the OIS which is probably a good thing.
4. Price is about the same as a used Oly 14-42mm IIR and 60% of an Oly 12-50mm. It seems to be £30 more than a Pana 14-42mm which probably tells me something.

What do you experts think?

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Hello.I am not an expert but i am telling you that i bought the 14-45 just 2 weeks ago for my lumix g10.After digging information for weeks i was informed that the inner construction of the lens is actually being done by Leica not Panasonic.As far as i can tell the image quality is much better than the standard 14-42 kit provided with the camera. I am currently using it as a general use lens and i am very excited with the results.I have no experience with Olympus lenses so i cannot give you any advice for this lens.But as for the 14-45 it is a purchase that definetely worth it.

General consensus is that the Pany 14-45 is the top lens among these for build quality and IQ.

Personally speaking, I've been using the 14-45 for over 2 1/2 years now on GF1, GH2, G3, E-PL3, E-M5, and most recently, G5 and it never ceases to please me especially that as a kit lens, it has stellar performance and quality.

The 14-42IIR produces good, sharp images, but it is a cheaply made lens with a plastic mount.

The Pany 14-42 is the only lens of the three that I don't have and haven't used.

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Don

I still have my original metal mount Pany 14-45 and it is a superb lens, when I got the GX1 it came with the 14-42X lens and my version was soft and frustrating so got rid of it.

The IQ on the 14-45 is superb and the lens is a solid well made piece unlike the plastic mount version of 14-42 version that replaced it, we then had the 14-42X and mine apart, it has been fairly well documented that there have been issues with focus.

I have not used the Oly lens so cannot comment but can strongly recommend the Pany 14-45 as long as it has been well treated.

Couple of images taken earlier this year when on a trip using this lens.

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Ian Lloyd-Graham
www.Ianskyphotosite.blogspot.com
www.571Photography.blogspot.com

Thanks all. I've just got back from a trip to Abruzzo with just the 45.18 and 17/2.8 and did find myself missing a zoom at times. I'll be looking out for a pana 14-45 in good condition.

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Hi
There is nothing wrong with Oly 14-42 mm lens and its a superb kit lens .
Here are some pics I shot indoor with this on my EPL2.
Cheers
Bhupinder

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OMD Silver with battery Grip
Olympus 45mm 1.8
Panny 20mm 1.7
Olympus 4/314-54mm MrkII,
Fuji X100 Black LE

The ol 14-45 is well-regarded for a reason. It was likely over-engineered and performs very well. I wouldn't be surprised that if it were too expensive to build and that's why they replaced it with the 14-42mm as a cheap kit lens (and moved it to a more premium upgrade position).

That said, the Olympus kit lens is also pretty decent by most accounts and is cheaper. But if you want the best IQ definitely the 14-45mm. Whether it's worth the price is a personal judgement.

I've had both the Oly 14-42 (1st generation) and the Panasonic 14-45, but sold them to part fund my prime connection. I would honestly say that i did not notice a huge difference in IQ. A little yes, but not noticeable most of the time. The Oly focuses significantly closer but the build quality felt flimsy, although it never broke. If I were to get another zoom, I think I might get an Oly again, I just don't think it's worth the higher price for the Panasonic. Others may feel differently.