Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens, Standard Zoom, Suitable for All MFT Cameras (Olympus OM-D & PEN Models, Panasonic G-Series), Black

Product Information

The lens took about a second to go from infinity to close-focus: quite fast, and nearly silent. Focus was quite confident, something we've been scrutinizing with Olympus' contrast autofocus detection method. Update: The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III is now getting hard to find new in some territories as it's been replaced by the superior OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. We would definitely recommend the newer model, which is still pretty affordable. Read our Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review . The lens isn't designed specifically for macro work, but it's not that bad: a minimum focusing distance of just under 10 inches (25cm), with a magnification ratio of 0.23x. Of course, it is a collapsible lens, so when in use it does grow in size as the barrel expands out slightly from the body. Even then, this is a small lens that fits well on a small Olympus PEN or Panasonic Lumix body.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens, Standard

Falloff of illumination towards the corners of the frame may be noticeable when photographing plain subjects at 14mm and f/3.5, as here the corners are 1.3 stops darker than the image centre. Stopping the aperture down to f/5.6 results in visually even illumination at this focal length. Falloff is reduced at 42mm, as the corners are only 0.4stops darker than the image centre at this focal length, and visually even illumination is achieved by f/8. Also from the same position the older MkI lens gives a fractionally wider angle of view - see the photos below where they were taken from the same tripod mounted spot. Olympus 14-42mm Mk IThis is an exceptionally well-built little lens, feeling absolutely solid and sturdy both when collapsed and extended (unlike many manually extendable pancake zooms, which can feel flimsy when deployed). Focused on the doorknob of pantry door. Door, dishwasher and toaster on the left is great. Again, right side is poo. Microwave is soft, "Cuisinart" coffee maker is mush.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MkII Lens Review

If you're looking for a more versatile lens in the same focal range, you might consider this lens, which offers a bit more wide angle and a bit more zoom, as well as a dedicated macro function: it's a bit sharper, too. Chromatic aberration is noticeable in any photograph taken with this lens, appearing in the corners and areas of high contrast as magenta-green fringing. It's most easily noticed in the wide angle (14mm). Unlike many pancake zooms, the Olympus M.Zuiko 14‑42mm f/3.5‑5.6 EZ has a powered mechanism, meaning that you don't have to manually telescope the optic to deploy it. Simply turn on the camera and the lens will automatically extend. Our lab tests suggest the dynamic range is very good across the ISO range too, so although the little Olympus doesn’t have class-leading resolution, its all-round image quality is right up there with the rest. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III specifications Both lenses are made in China and the MKI's metal mount has been substituted with a plastic mount. The metal makes that satisfyng chink as you connect body to lens, while the plastic one is slightly quieter. In terms of durability the metal is a bit more rugged but neither option should cause you any problems over the years.

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In extreme low-light situations you may experience some focus hunting at the long end, as the f/5.6 maximum aperture does not always allow enough light to pass through to the sensor.