Is Panasonic a superior lens maker? - Page 4

Lawrence A. · #31 July 16th, 2012, 06:25 PM

Trying to build a kit of primes that cover the whole range, a lot of what I'm interested in are Olympus lenses -- the 12mm, 75mm, 45mm, maybe the 60 macro. I have the Panasonic 25 and it is stellar, I had the 20 and would like to get it again; and I may get their 14 instead of the Oly 12 because of its price. For the primes I'm interested in, though, I don't think Panasonic is "better" than Olympus. The 45mm Olympus and the 25mm Panasonic are the lenses I consider "must haves". It would be sad or the system if either company disappeared. The oly 12,75, and 45 are all top notch lenses for the system.

drewbot · #32 July 16th, 2012, 06:36 PM

Both companies have some gems in their lineup, but both have some duds.

It's tough to say which one is better than the other.

But why would it matter? All m43 users benefit from both companies.

usayit · #33 July 16th, 2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strang

I definitely wish Olympus was more consistent with filter sizes. Like Nikon, stick to one size!

I don't.. I want them to design a lens that is as compact as possible. I would rather not place that burden on the design. I'm more than happy to use appropriate step-up rings in order to have uniform sized filters as I already do.

strang · #34 July 16th, 2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usayit

I don't.. I want them to design a lens that is as compact as possible. I would rather not place that burden on the design. I'm more than happy to use appropriate step-up rings in order to have uniform sized filters as I already do.

That's the route I've gone. Bought all new 77mm filters and proper step up rings.

Now I can't even give away my old filters.

~tc~ · #35 July 17th, 2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhazeghi

I don't really agree. I'd say neither is really doing an outstanding job. Both have a few great lenses, a few good lenses, and a lot of okay lenses.

but of the "dogs" in the system, almost all of them are Olympus, and most of the "superstars" are Panasonic:

Dogs:
Oly 17
Oly 75-300
Oly 14-42 mkI
Panny 45-200

Superstars:
Oly 12
Panny 7-14
Panny 12-35
Panny 20
PL 25
PL 45
CV 25/.95

silversx80 · #36 July 17th, 2012, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~tc~

but of the "dogs" in the system, almost all of them are Olympus, and most of the "superstars" are Panasonic:

Dogs:
Oly 17
Oly 75-300
Oly 14-42 mkI
Panny 45-200

While I don't have any experience with the 75-300, nor the 45-200, from the results I've seen, I'd hardly call them the "dogs" in the system. In fact, I've seen some samples that dropped my jaw.

I do have the 17 and 14-42 mk.I. Again, I wouldn't call them "dogs" by any meritorious standard of photography. The 17 practically lives on the E-M5 and the 14-42 on the PL1. I have yet to find myself not enjoying using these lenses.

Ray Sachs · #37 July 17th, 2012, 07:30 AM

Seems like anyone who's seeing a clear advantage for either Oly or Pany lenses has a serious case of ******ism going on and should be checked for that. I see plenty of good lenses from both and plenty of OK lenses from both. I think its just silly to suggest that one is head and shoulders above the other...

At the wide end, slight edge to the Pany 7-14 over the Oly 9-18, but not a huge difference except in chosen focal range.

Wide prime - clear advantage of Oly 12mm over Pany 14, but with a price to match, so better value in the Pany.

Medium wide clear advantage to Pany 20 over Oly 17, but both are pretty long in the tooth in terms of AF performance. And if the rumored Oly 17 f1.4 pans out (I'm not holding my breath, but it would be nice) that would change that equation...

"Neutral" prime - all Pany 25 for now, but may get interesting if Oly does introduce a 25mm competitor.

At the "portrait" length, two great lenses - comes down to whether you want to stress portrait or macro. The Oly 45 is a great lens and a great value. The Pany 45 is a great lens if you want macro and not such a great value and not as fast for portraits/candids. And at the long end of the portrait range, the Oly 75 f1.8 looks like its gonna be stellar, with a price to match. Edge on portraits to Oly, on macros to Pany, but even that might change with the Oly 60mm???

At the "value" telephoto, I'd say the Oly 40-150 and Pany 45-200 are pretty close - I'd decide this one strictly on focal length, whether you need OIS, and size/weight.

At the longest end, a slight edge to the Oly 75-300 but only slight and the Pany 100-300 is a better value.

Superzooms is about a tossup between the Pany 14-140 and Oly 14-150 - I'd only choose between these on features (OIS or not) and size/weight rather than "quality".

With the 12-35 and 35-100 Pany will be the only game in town for high quality, relatively fast zooms for a while. But if Oly comes out with the rumored 12-60, that equation could change pretty quickly.

I just don't see where you can find a clear advantage either way. I currently have mostly Oly lenses but only because I prefer Oly bodies and don't need OIS. I have the Pany 14 and if I ever want a fast neutral prime again (Fuji has this covered REALLY well for me right now), that would be the Panny 25, which I have owned and it was great. If I was into zooms more I'm sure I'd give the Pany 12-35 a hard look, but might also hold out for an Oly 12-60, but I'm not likely to ever buy either... There's just a lot to choose from and having two companies making good stuff without too much overlap is a pretty wonderful place to be as a consumer...

-Ray

jnewell · #38 July 17th, 2012, 07:46 AM

I don't have any dogs in this fight

but a quick pre-coffee scan looks like you've missed at least two of Oly's superstars:

45
75

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~tc~

but of the "dogs" in the system, almost all of them are Olympus, and most of the "superstars" are Panasonic:

Dogs:
Oly 17
Oly 75-300
Oly 14-42 mkI
Panny 45-200

Superstars:
Oly 12
Panny 7-14
Panny 12-35
Panny 20
PL 25
PL 45
CV 25/.95

Ray Sachs · #39 July 17th, 2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~tc~

but of the "dogs" in the system, almost all of them are Olympus, and most of the "superstars" are Panasonic:

Dogs:
Oly 17
Oly 75-300
Oly 14-42 mkI
Panny 45-200

Superstars:
Oly 12
Panny 7-14
Panny 12-35
Panny 20
PL 25
PL 45
CV 25/.95

A lot of debatable points here - I didn't see this one when I posted a little while ago. There's no way the Oly 75-300 is a dog - I'd rank it slightly above the Pany 100-300 having shot with both. Its arguably overpriced, but so is the Oly 12 and Pany 7-14 and 12-35 and CV 25, so that doesn't seem to be a problem for you. And I don't think the Pany 20 can really be called a superstar anymore with the 25 sitting right next door with better optics, faster aperture, and MUCH better AF. Not to mention that the Oly 45 and 75 appear to me to be pretty clear superstars by the standards of this list. I'd question the PL 45 too, except if you want macro its the only game in town for now...

-Ray

RT_Panther · #40 July 17th, 2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray S

There's no way the Oly 75-300 is a dog - I'd rank it slightly above the Pany 100-300 having shot with both.
-Ray