Comparing the Panny 7-14mm lens to the Oly 9-18mm?

Time for a new discussion?

Landshark, I took the liberty of moving your post from the Oly 9-18mm image thread and started a new one because I know you're not alone in wondering about this. Hope you don't mind.:smile:

 

I used the Panny for a short time. It's a great lens.
The Oly is much smaller and lighter. For me that's key to this format.
Oly really pays attention to that and they always did.

That size/weight thing should be the deciding factor.
Oh, and you wallet will weigh more with the Oly cause it sells for less.

 

I can feel that you have put in hard efforts. Good job!!

 

I never enterained getting the 7-14mm due to the fact you cannot fit filters to the front and of course the price. I have the 9-18mm M.Zuiko lens and am very happy with it. Good value for money and close enough to the size of the standard kit zoom.

 

Bob,
That's the only thing I miss in this format. Having it on my Canon lenses was nice. I miss it but still feel the size/weight of the 9-18 makes up for it.
Actually from 5.6 up you have constant aperture anyway.

 

I was just considering posting a thread about this, as I'm going to buy a UWA zoom in the very near future. I'm leaning towards the 9-18 right now...I was very happy with the normal Four Thirds version and kinda regret selling it...the micro version is TINY, has similar image quality, and takes filters.

The main advantage of the 7-14 for me would be the extra 2mm, and I'm not sure that justifies the extra size and cost...

 

Adam,
it doesn't. You will adore the 9-18.
Peter, Ray, myself and others are just loving it.
It's so nice and compact....

 

Personally, I'm hoping Santa Claus (AKA my bank balance) will bring it to me, if I am very very good. The 9-18mm, that is.

 

I too prefer the 9-18 for it's compact size and stealth ability.

 

I have been looking into getting one of these lenes to use on my GF1. At the moment it is looking like the oly mainly price, I can just about justify the oly even more if I buy a second hand one I see advertised. I do like the fact that then Pany is slightly wider and constant f4 but price is just to high for those factors alone. On image quality from what I have read here and else where both are good with both having their fans. If the Pany lens was closer in price then I think might go for that. Will keep reading and looking until decide. Then I might decide to go longer rather than wider but that for aother post. will need to see which end most of my photos are taken at of my 14-45 then decide! :43:

 

Price, filter thread and size lead me to buy the 9-18mm, I'm happy with the performance..

 

Having tried both in the store on my GF1, the Panny AF'd twice as fast as the Oly. Amazingly fast.

Before decrying the price, note the recent drops of the 7-14, while the 9-18 has held steady - bringing their price within $200 of each other (new)

 

I have noticed them coming closer in price. I had tentatively planned to buy the 9-18 in the spring after I get my annual bonus (depending on the size) if it dropped to $500 or below. Instead it has gone up and the 7-14 has dropped considerably.

There is a rumor that Panny is going to replace the 7-14 with an OIS version and that may be driving the cost down.

I like the size of the Oly 9-18 more but if the 7-14 drops another $100 it would be hard to resist. That extra 2mm is a lot extra FOV.

 

I will say the 7-14 seems a lot bigger in person than it does in pictures, while the 9-18 when collapsed is positively tiny. Extended, with a hood (an optional extra $) they would be about the same I think

In the end, I would really like to have something wider than the 20/1.7, and I think the proposed 12-50 zoom would be enough, so I'm going to hold off for now. I see the biggest use indoors, or in tight outdoor situations where the extra stop or two of the bright zoom would be vital

 

The Panny is still holding its price in the uk at around £900, compared to the Olympus at just under £500. I got mine for £460 when is dropped to its cheapest for a short while.

The ultra wides are fairly specialist though, I wouldn't want to spend more than £500 on any lens really.