Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System)

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I've had this lens before and the pictures were great. My son accidentally dropped my camera and the mount got broken. I've just replaced it and I am enjoying it. Great lens and reasonably priced.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

Kit lens, came with my E-520. 14-42 is somewhat equal to those 18-55 that are common for APS-C cameras. It's not very fast, but fast enough for 90% of daily shooting. At 42mm there's even some bokeh at f/5.6. You can take decent portrait shots. The lens is very light, it's mostly plastic. Build quality is good, though. Uses inexpensive 58mm filters. Again, good for 90% of my daily shooting, but not for makro, sports or wildlife. AF is surprisingly fast and accurate.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I really don't recommend. It is very frustrating trying to focus with low light.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I wanted an inexpensive lens to keep on my E-300 for shooting things of interest than I may find. I always keep a camera with me. Yes, it has slow f stops but great for normal shooting in normal light. It is sharp! It will focus fast on my E-300 and E-3 if there is normal light.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I got this lens as a kit lens with my E-620, and while its mostly a temporary lens for me until I can afford a 14-54, its actually not a bad lens.

The mount is plastic, which means this isn't a lens I'd expect to keep for many many years, but it does save on weight, and yet still seems well constructed. The zoom ring and focus ring operate solidly and smoothly.

Sharpness seems pretty good for a lens of this level. Nothing mind-blowing, but it doesn't seem to be a setback, then again I'm not exactly a pixel peeper.

Barrel distortion can get pretty bad at wide andgles, especially when photographing geometric shapes or anything straight position to the outer 20% of the frame.

Flaring seems pretty well controlled, though I am getting some flaring when pointed directly at a light source (and low ambient light). Most of the flaring I've seen has been directly on top of the light source.

Auto focus hunts around a bit, but is not too loud and is no more than can be expected for a lens like this.

The slower maximum aperture really starts to hurt once you start shooting in lower light (which I do alot, and I hate using flash unless I absolutely need to). Especially at 5.6 at the long end, I find that I'm needing to push the camera to ISO2000, or even higher to get _borderline_ steady shots (even with IS) in certain lighting. It kills me to not be able to get a shot -- or to ruin a perfectly good shot with absurd amounts of noise -- because my lens isn't fast enough.

I used to have the Mk.1 kit lens with my E-500, the 14-45mm f3.5-5.6, and this is absolutely an improvement over that.

Overall, I'd say if you need either a budget zoom lens or a small and light zoom lens, get this. If you can afford to spend a few hundred dollars more and don't mind having a slightly larger lens, get the 14-54. Bottom line is that it has its place, but I don't consider it anything more than a temporary lens for me, which is why I can only give it 3 stars.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

This was my first foray into the digital world (I clung onto slides and D76 for a long time), and I am actually quite unimpressed. It's very light (not aluminum like the 70s) but the depth of field is surprisingly minimal for a lens of this size. I find it quite hard to focus on my E420.

However, considering the price, and the fact that it is compact and light it's not a bad deal for what it is.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I generally use thus lens with an E-500. I also have an E-3 with a 14-54. For such a light-weight lens, the 14-42 seems very solidly constructed. For routine use. the light weight, and compactness of the E-500/14-42 combo can be a real advantage. For most shooting, the difference in the overall photo quality is negligible. I enjoy using both lenses and expect to keep and continue to use both, depending on circumstances.

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I own a zoom that's faster and "better", but usually end up using this lens because of the smaller size and weight. Frequently, I'll be shooting wide open and at the end of the zoom range. The lens gets the job done without any waisted capacity. If it were any smaller, it would be too slow. If it were any faster, it would be heavier than necessary. Olympus made a lens that is just right.

I almost forgot to mention that the lens is sharp. It's amazing how low-cost zooms have improved over the years...

Comments about 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko ED Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras (Four Thirds System):

I have used this lens in lots of travels. It is a very light load. While friends carry a backpack with their Canons and get wrist strain from the weight of their cameras, I have a very compact package including by extra lenses and filters. It does require a better lit environment than some lenses. I will probably be upgrading to a faster lens soon. Pictures in European cathedrals and museums are occasionally blurred due to long exposure times. But I have some great shots indoors too. Can't go to 42 mm. The corners get dark.

Expertise: Non professional but lots of practice

Items I Recommend: Polarizing filter really helps for water shots.