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OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II vs Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS

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OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Standard Zoom | Micro Four Thirds

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
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Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS

Standard Zoom | Micro Four Thirds

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II vs Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS, two Standard Zoom lenses from OM and Panasonic.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Key Specs

  • 12-40mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 382g.
  • Diameter: 70mm
  • Length: 84mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m
  • Max Magnification:0.3x

Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS Key Specs

  • 14-42mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format:
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 165g.
  • Diameter: 61mm
  • Length: 64mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.3m
  • Max Magnification:0.16x

Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS was replaced by Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS vs
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS vs

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is the longer of the two lenses at 84mm. The Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS with a length of 64mm is 20mm shorter. Besides being longer, the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II also has a larger diameter of 70mm compared to Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS's 61mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS weighs 165g, 131% (217g) lighter than the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II's weight of 382g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Zoom Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Zoom Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic 12-60mm F3.5-5.6
71mm
66mm 210g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS
86mm
68mm 320g Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens Olympus ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ
23mm
61mm 91g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 OIS
74mm
68mm 305g Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Olympus ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
84mm
70mm 382g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS Lens Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II OIS
49mm
56mm 110g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS Lens Panasonic 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS
24mm
56mm 70g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic12-35mm F2.8 II
74mm
68mm 305g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS has the same Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds lenses are Panasonic GH6, OM System OM-1 and Panasonic GH5 II.

Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS is also available in Micro Four Thirds mount.

Focal Range

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has a focal range of 12-40mm and 3.3X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-80mm when used on a FourThirds format camera. Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS has a focal range of 14-42mm and 3.0X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 28-84mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.

Reasons to choose OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II over Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS

Focal Length - Wide 12mm vs 14mm 2mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 3.30x vs 3.00x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.2m vs 0.3m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.3x vs 0.16x higher magnification better for close-up shots
Reasons to choose Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS over OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Focal Length - Tele 42mm vs 40mm 2mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Weight 165g vs 382g 217g lighter
Diameter 61mm vs 70mm 9mm smaller in diameter
Length 64mm vs 84mm 20mm shorter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II vs Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS
Brand OM Panasonic
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds FourThirds
Focal Range 12-40mm 14-42mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No -
Zoom Ratio 3.3X 3.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 7
Optics
Optical Elements 14 12
Optical Groups 9 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.2m 0.3m
Max Magnification 0.3X 0.16X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 382g 165g
Diameter 70mm 61mm
Length 84mm 64mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 62mm 52mm
Filter Notes Does not rotate on focusing does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown H-FS014042E
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories PRF-ZD62 PRO Protection FilterLSC-0811 Lens Case CS-53 Wrapping Cloth -
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