Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR
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The Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens is an interchangeable long telephoto zoom lens, developed by Leica exclusively for digital SLR cameras. It follows the ultra-compact Micro Four Thirds Standard, which also makes it compatible with other brands that use this same format. The focal length of this lens is equivalent to approx. 90-400mm in 35mm format terms.
By incorporating the MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) feature and 3 ED elements, this lens makes it possible to capture clear, sharp images, edge to edge, even in macro shooting or low-lit situations. This provides users with a wide range of shooting flexibility.
Note: Since the Four Thirds camera body has a longer flange back length than the Micro Four Thirds camera body, Micro Four Thirds lenses cannot be mounted on Four Thirds camera bodies.
- ED Glass
- Three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements help the lens meet Leica's extremely high optical performance standards. They help capture images that are clear from corner to corner across the entire zoom range, with minimal distortion.
- Multi-Coated
- Multi-coated lens elements reduce ghosting and flare to an absolute minimum, enabling the lens to deliver an optical performance that meets Leica's lofty standards.
- Circular Aperture
- 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm produces pleasant out-of-focus characteristics
- Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount
- Use of the Micro Four Thirds Standard means that this lens can also be used with other manufacturers that have adopted this digital camera standard
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length |
45 - 200 mm Comparable Four Thirds and Micro 4/3 Focal Length: 90 - 400 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/4 - 5.6 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format Compatibility | Micro Four Thirds |
| Angle of View | 27° - 6° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 3.3' (1.01 m) |
| Magnification | 0.19x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:5.26 |
| Groups/Elements | 13/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 52 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.76 x 3.94" (7.00 x 10.00 cm) |
| Weight | 13.4 oz (380 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 162 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easily interchangeable (106)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (105)
- Lightweight (101)
- Consistent output (79)
- Durable (54)
Cons
- Poor in low light (57)
- Heavy (15)
- Slow focus (15)
- Blurry focus (7)
- Weak casing (3)
Best Uses
- Landscape/scenery (97)
- Wildlife photos (97)
- Sports/action (49)
- Weddings (40)
- Macro photography (26)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (78), Casual photographer (35), Semi-pro photographer (23), Pro photographer (10), Enthusiast (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (96), Yes (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Good performance - great travel lens.
This lens was purchased as part of the twin lens Panasonic DMC G1 kit just before Xmas 09. Since then I have taken some 2500 shots, mostly with the 45-200mm lens.
Read complete review
This lens was purchased as part of the twin lens Panasonic DMC G1 kit just before Xmas 09. Since then I have taken some 2500 shots, mostly with the 45-200mm lens.
I took it on a 'Nature Safari' to Southern Africa and it is a great travel kit. Having the equivalent of a 90-400mm in 35mm format, in a lens this size & weight is awesome. The image stabilization was very effective. I didn't take a tripod and lost very few shots due to softness or focusing issues. The auto-focus was generally quick and accurate, even at the 200mm end with minnimal hunting even in fairly subduded conditions.
Overall I thought the performance of this lens was excellent with good sharpness, detail and colour rendition.
Obviously it performs at its best where subjects are well lit, however it handeled early mornings, cloud effects, sunsets and shaded subjects very well.
Whilst a 600mm equivalent may give better magnification for 'Bird Shots' the portability and performance of this lens make it a good all round choice for traveling and bush walking.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not that happy
I use this lens with E-PL1. also I am not a pro. I wouldn't rate it very high. Photos are not that sharp but OK. I am finding it difficult to take sharp ...Read complete review
I use this lens with E-PL1. also I am not a pro. I wouldn't rate it very high. Photos are not that sharp but OK. I am finding it difficult to take sharp photos at full zoom. I am not sure how others have graded it 4 & 5 stars. I tried playing with the IBIS and OIS but no luck. Auto focus is not that great in low light. You might get frustrated and give up. Some shots turn out good and most of them not that great. This lens seems to be more suitable for video. I would recommend this lens for it bargain price. But don't expect great shots from this lens. I am planning to keep mine along with my other lenses pana 20mm, oly 14-42 kit lens. pana 20mm is an excellent lens on e-pl1.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 162 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
A nice telephoto lens at a good price. The cost of this and the Panasonic 14-42 is significantly less than one 14-140 and actually covers a longer focal length range.
The lens is built well and comes with a very useful lens hood. The zoom ring isn't damped but turns smoothly without any zoom creep. OIS is a must for a lens like this, of course. The optics seem pretty good. Decent sharpness and contrast - certainly no problems with this lens. Like most micro 4/3 lenses, AF is fast and silent.
Of course, the usual advice applies: only get this if you know you're going to be shooting subjects that require a telephoto, since even the wide end of this lens is quite narrow.
For the price, it's a great deal.
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
It's worth to buy. Compare with other small lens like 14-42mm. This one is a bit heavy but the quality of the pic is really good with GF2
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Right price
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Just the right size for a useful zoom range
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
- Heavy
- Weak Casing
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
I bought this lens because I have only the 20mm len of Lumix GF1. This lens does not zoom,Its great, but I need to shot birds or other things and its very usefull now for me.
The zoom is ok, but I expected more.But, you can take great pictures.It is a little heavy too.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Great Quality photos without the heft of my Canon 400 mm
Lens for my 5D. The 4/3s format of the Panasonic Lumix GH2
with this lens equals the immage quality of the heavy weight,
high end SLR systems... Also a very good value.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
This lens is intended to be used to capture the distance I'm missing from the 14/42mm on my G2. I also like photos with a blurred background, so using the focal length instead of opening up the aperture is a much easier task.
This lens feels good in the hand, is real smooth and has no lens creep. No more noise picked up from the lens creep of the 14-42mm while shooting video.
It is accurate and seems to give some added warmth and tonal balance to skin and foliage over the 14-24mm.
The only con is you will need steady hands,a tripod, flat surface or bright light to reduce shake once you open it up. No problems with a flash!
It is heavier, but not too much. I am very happy with it and would recommend to anybody looking to accomplish easily what I am using it for.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Works Great with my Panasonic
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Exc feel to the zoom
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Macro Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
The lens was purchased to complement the G3 standard lens. In testing the images were sharp, with help from the lightweight camera. Macro flower shots were as good as it gets with this type of lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Great for casual tele works. Used it at the US Open. Very happy with the performance for price. Watch the doubling factor though as you will still need the wide lens in your bag.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Very nice clear ang light lens. i can use it all day for casual and street shooting. Cheap but elegant.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Perfect for a vacation when you only have room for one lens; does about everything.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Amazing clarity, easy automatic focus, welcomed addition to my kit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- A bit softer 200mm
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
Brilliant at 45mm excellent performance up to 100mm and very good up to 200. Very light,compact and the price is no brainier. Actually it exceeded my expectations!
Love this lens for its image quality and compactness
In summery its a joy to use this lens!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
- Blurry Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Video
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
compact and lightweight,good complement to a standard DSLR
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Macro Photography
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
A great zoom lens for travel photography. Small and light and does decent close up work as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
I use this for medium distance (say, 50 yards) landscape and people photos with my DMC G3. Terrific images. Clear, quick, and (big bonus) lightweight. Seems to be rugged, but I haven't dropped it yet (!) Highly recommended.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
Cons
- Poor in Low Light
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
I use this lens with my Panasonic GH2 camera. I use it for nature photography. With its 2x crop factor this lens is 400mm at its long end which is great for shooting birds, elk, or any other animal that won't let you get close to it. The image is sharp, clear, and flat. I didn't notice any chromatic aberration. I wouldn't use this lens without a tripod because at the long end it's wobbly even with the O.I.S. I also use a shutter release so that I don't bump the camera when taking a picture. I also use a .9 ND filter on sunny days so that I can open up the iris all the way. It's a slow lens so it doesn't work well indoors with low light. This lens is bulky and heavy so it weighs-down the front-end of the camera. The attachable sun shade is nice.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
So far, a good clear sharp lens, with nice out of focus. However, for a 4/3 setup, be aware such lens is relatively heavy in terms of the ratio of lens to camera weight. Definately a lightweight compared to the 18-200 Nikon it partially replace, but its up to you as to whether you go with the two lens, two body solution, as i have, or the single expensive superzoom lens with your micro 4/3 setup.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
I'm a fan of lens IS. This little jem has it, and it works Very well.
I really like the light weight. I'm used to carrying around HEAVY Canon L lenses. So the light weight is surely appreciated. Did I mention Compact? :) This is the reason that I bought into M43. Build quality, IMHO is very good for a lens of this price. I consider it an outstanding value.
I find that this lens produces sharp photos all through the zoom range. Glad that I purchased it.
This is the same review that I gave to the 14-45 Panasonic lens. But, IMHO everything that I said applies to this lens as well. A Very good purchase. :)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. Lens for Micro Four Thirds SLR:
very easy too use ...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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What's in the Box
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- 1-Year Warranty
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