Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Standard Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and FourThirds max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
MFT cameras.Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS was replaced with Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS. Follow the link to read our comparison of these lenses:
Compare Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS vs Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS
What type of photography is the Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
There are 6 more lenses that have the same focal range and aperture values with the Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds mount, you can find the review and comparison links of these lenses below.
Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Reasons to Buy the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization |
| Autofocus |
| Hood supplied |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Light weight at only 165g / 5.8 oz |
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Buy Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
| Lens Extends while zooming |
| Slow Aperture at Tele end |
| Variable Aperture |
Lens Mount
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS is compatible with cameras that have a Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds lenses are OM System OM-3 Astro, OM System OM-5 II and OM System OM-3.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS has a maximum diameter of 61mm and a total length of 64mm when not extended. It weighs 165g / 5.8 oz.
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS has a filter thread of 52mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS:
You can also check All Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses with 52mm Filter Thread Size to find the matching lenses.
Focal Range
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.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.
Zoom Method
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m. 0.16x ratio is quite low, making this lens unsuitable even for modest close-up photography.
Below are the 3 Standard Zoom type MFT mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 14mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f22 at 42mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
14mm
|
F3.5 |
F22 |
|
42mm
|
F5.6 |
F22 |
Optical Formula
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS's optical formula consists of 12 elements in 9 groups . Special elements used in this design is 1 aspherical element.
Lens Hood
Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is H-FS014042E.
Popular Comparisons of Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS.
Top Alternatives of Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS in Other Lens Mounts
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