Is the 14-42 kit lens which comes with the EP-3 any different or better than the 14-42 that came with my EP-1? I thought I read somewhere that this was a new and improved lens, but now I can't find anything mentioned about it and the specs look the same. Thanks.
Yes it is designed for silent focus in movie mode. It was first released with the E-pl2. I don't think there have been any design/glass changes for the newest 3 series of cameras.
The E-P3 spec has some new cosmetic changes to the zoom ring but I haven't seen anything to suggest that it is any different internally to the MkII version introduced with the E-PL2.
Hi! As far as I know the new IIR is optically identical with the MK II version of this lens. There is a significant difference between the MK I and MK II. See one of my old postings about different 14-42s from Oly: ... A few days ago I got the mFT 14-42 II. It is a nice step better in terms of build quality with a smoothly damped zoom ring (compared to the old mFT lens). The FT 14-42 is still the build quality king in this triplet. The AF speed is much better than both other lenses and sharpness and CA also seem to be superior at least to the older mFT 14-42... Stefan
The Mark II MSC version (which was introduced with the E-PL1s in Japan and the E-PL2 in the rest of the world) can be updated through firmware to match the AF speed of the new R version (which is coming with the E-P3). So technically they are not the same, but they can be made to be the same. The only physical differences that can't be "updated" should be cosmetic (nicer zoom ring, cover ring on the front, etc.).
Ned, Does that mean the AF speed between the EP3+1442 R and EPL2 1442 II (firmware updated) is the same?
