Thanks everyone! Lots of great info!

I usually spend a lot of time investigating lenses but the bottom line is I usually buy them and try them out for a few weeks to see if they conform to my style of shooting and if the output meets my standards.

I'm not sure if I will prefer the 14-45 over the 14-140 as I have not used either.
I usually don't shoot long but since many have mentioned that the 14-140 is a great travel lens, that is what peaked my interest.
I may end up with both and will have to decide at a later time.
I'm gonna wait a month or so until after any new lens announcements then purchase a new lens. Hopefully prices will drop further

i found it hard to hand hold the long end of my 14-140...i got used to the small size and weight easily enough but kept forgetting how long of a reach it had and how it magnified the shake. these small camera bodies make it hard (for me) to handhold long lenses.

the 14-45 was a gem and i foolishly sold mine when i got the 20...looking back it would have been nice to have both.

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a new blog from an old photographer
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I think the 14-45 will be a collector's item if they discontinue it. It's significantly sharper than the newer lens, and better built. Sharp, fast focus, works great on both Olympus and Panasonic bodies (has OIS switch). What's not to like (okay, the price is a bit more than ideal)?!

wow...if you get the 7-14, 14-140 and the 20 doesn't that mean you are covered for travel and street photography?? Not sure 14-140 will make good portraiture...

I have both the 20mm and the 14-45mm. The 20mm is very, very good, but I am also very impressed by my example of the 14-45mm. It is amazingly sharp, compact, and extremely quiet when focusing. And because it is so compact, I often find that it adds some versatility over the 20mm because it's a zoom with 14mm on the wide end. I think the OIS on/off switch is very convenient to use to conserve battery power when shooting in situations that do not require IS. The lens mount is metal (vs. plastic for the newer 14-42mm). I am planning to add the 45-200mm to my stable of native m4/3 lenses. I thought about the 14-140mm, but decided against it because of its cost and bulk.

--Warren

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Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix DMC-GF1, Lumix 14-45mm, Lumix 20mm f1.7, Lumix 45-200mm

I had the 14-42mm with the G2, it was horrible, terrible image quality, gritty un-smooth zoom... blahh... Due to the lack of native lenses i bought the 14-14mm and it is a world apart. Image quality is great, smooth zoom, build etc... i would prefer a 14-140mm, but it is just to slow to justify the money.. i am hoping panasonic will add a faster zoom soon...

on a side note, the only thing i have noticed with the 14-45mm is that the focus ring is quite stiff.. smooth but stiff... anyone else noticed this?

If you can get hold of the 14-45mm then do so. I find it's a cracking lens. I did a test with the 20mm f1.7 and 14-45 at 20mm both at f3.5 and it was hard to tell the difference. I have seen some STUNNING images from the 14-45.

Here's a quickie at 100% crop

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Andy
My Flickr

Lumix G3 with 14-45mm 25mm f/1.4 Leica DG Summilux & Oly 17mm f/2.8 + Legacy glass.

Andy ,
Yer right. It's a real cracker.
It always amazes me when I fall to the dark side and....
(pixel peep).....

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"If you don't stand for something,
You'll fall for anything."

http://www.streetshooter.us

~ Shooter's Flickr photostream

Pixel peeping is a nasty infliction which I have bad!!!!!

[Stands up from his chair] My name is Andy and I'm a Pixel Peeper! he he

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Andy
My Flickr

Lumix G3 with 14-45mm 25mm f/1.4 Leica DG Summilux & Oly 17mm f/2.8 + Legacy glass.

(stands up)
My name is shooter... I'm not a pixel peeper but I have been known to indulge...

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"If you don't stand for something,
You'll fall for anything."

http://www.streetshooter.us

~ Shooter's Flickr photostream