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

It's image quality is about the middle of the road for the Digital Zuiko line-up, but Oly users know that the middle of the Zuiko road is not really a bad place. It captures very respectable images, and very much comes into its own as a video lens, since the fully motorized zoom can smoothly and near-silently push in and out of your scene to record more dynamic footage. That electronic zoom also means that you can fully control the focal length from your phone when shooting remotely! The Olympus 14-42mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 ED EZ is decently sharp when used wide open, but the best results for sharpness will only be seen when the lens is stopped down to ƒ/8, at any focal length. At the 14mm setting the lens exhibits some corner softness when set to ƒ/3.5, which is marginally better when stopped down through to ƒ/8.

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

Olympus PEN E-PL7 + Olympus M.Zuiko 14‑42mm f/3.5‑5.6 EZ (1/320 sec, ISO200, f/7.1) (Image credit: James Artaius) Olympus M.Zuiko 14‑42mm f/3.5‑5.6 EZ: Performance The focus ring is located at the end of the lens, a plastic ring that's just 3/16'' wide. The ring is a fly-by-wire design, controlling focus electronically, so there are no hard stops at either the infinity or close-focus ends. Given that focus is electronically controlled, you can assign the direction of focus to be either left or right. The front element doesn't turn during focusing operations. While the focal length and aperture range are the same as the MkI lens, the focusing mechanism has changed. The MKI lens has a traditional focusing method with a rotating and extending front section which lengthens the closer you focus, and the new version has a rear optical adjustment that's internal. Two clear benefits here are that the front doesn't rotate so if you're using a graduated or polarising filter it stays in the same desired position throughout the focus range. I've tried two copies of this lens and while its size and build makes it highly attractive I've been unhappy with the limited sharpness. The electronic zoom mechanism (the EZ in its name) means that you can control the focal length by turning the zoom ring, with a smooth and quiet motor zooming in or out accordingly.Chromatic aberration is at its most pronounced when the lens is zoomed to telephoto, at ƒ/5.6 and 42mm; you'll see it in the corners without much effort. Wide open at either 14mm or 18mm, some chromatic aberration is visible but it is less pronounced; it's only at 25mm and up that you start to see it in the corners. This lens was the original kit lens for the Evolt E-330, which has arguably been replaced by the 14-42mm Zuiko. Corner softness is a problem with this lens, obvious at wide angles and apertures; chromatic aberration is also readily apparent until you zoom out further than 18mm. Vignetting and distortion are also worse, but not by much. A notable improvement on the mark II version of the lens is that the front element does not rotate during focusing operations. Our sample didn't ship with a lens hood, and it's not clear whether one is available or not. Get the latest photography news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter. Newsletter Signup

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

Olympus' second iteration of the kit lens was a marginal improvement: it felt more solid, and offered much better sharpness than previously. It's still not as sharp as the current lens, but it's on the same level for its other optical properties. Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or green fringes along contrasty edges, are quite prevalent, as shown in the examples below. I am using this lens as walk around lens. It stays on my olympus EPL3 most of the time. used it also on my OM-D . Image quality is absolutely satisfying for this type of lens. they are sharp, and the contrast is good enough. Its "friendly" , feels good too . On the EPL3 it's at its best ( i think because of the lower resolution sensor). i don't compare it to my prime's ( 20mm1.7, 45mm1.8 or 60mm 2.8)The Panasonic kit lens provided extremely good performance on the G1, though using the Panasonic lens on the Olympus body does not necessarily guarantee the same performance. No hood is supplied with this lens, probably because there is nowhere to attach it, also it would add to the bulk of the lens. Shooting into the light is no problem for this optic and it proved itself resistant to flare during testing. I agree that the 12mm end of the 12-32 (or any other) is much preferable to the 14mm on any 14-whatever lens.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Overview Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Overview

Towards the end of 2010, Olympus announced the replacement to its kit lens for the E-P1, the 14-42mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 M.Zuiko, in the form of a ''mark II'' version of the same lens. However there's much more than a name change at work here - the lens has been completely redesigned.

The Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ lens features a 37mm filter thread which does not rotate on focus, great news for anyone intending to use a polariser or ND grads on the lens.