Which is the better of the two m4/3 kit zooms?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

That is to say, the Oly 14-42 or the Pana 14-45? Does anyone have experience with both? The Oly is incredibly compact until you actually have to use it; the pana would seem to be a sturdier choice, but it's much larger when the camera is turned off. Is the IQ from the two significantly different?

 

[kbg32]

I would say the Lumix 14-45. It is not a big lens at all. Quite sharp and it focuses fast.

 

[Federico Alberto]

Take a look at the comparative performance of the M.Zuiko 14-42mm with the E-P1 and the Lumix GH1 in this chart:

Source: DPReview's in-depth review of the Olympus E-P1 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusep1/page13.asp)

Clearly, it is the slowest of the lenses tested with both camera bodies.

The comparative performance of the Lumix G Vario 14-45mm hasn't been entirely documented. The only reference I found is the following:

"Panasonic developed an entirely new contrast detect autofocus system for the G series, and it works incredibly well. Not only is it faster than any CD-AF system we've ever used, it's easily as good as the autofocus on most entry-level digital SLRs (which use an inherently faster system). On average it takes around 0.25 seconds to focus with the 14-45mm zoom (compare this to the Olympus E-P1, which can take up to four times longer).

Source: DPReview's in-depth review of the Lumix GF1 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicGF1/page14.asp).

Now, with the new Lumix G2 and G10, Panasonic has replaced their 14-45mm for a new 14-42mm, 5mm longer but 30g lighter:

Source: DPReview's in-depth preview of the Lumix G2 (http://www.dpreview.com/previews/PanasonicDMCG2/)

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Great info, thanks feredico and Keith. I assume that, since the 20mm focuses plenty fast on the EP2, the 14-45 would too? In any event, I would still love to hear a direct comparison between the two. Photozone is the only place that seems to have put them both through the same paces, but he's kind of vague about differences between them.

 

[M4streetshooter]

I have both kit zoomies.
The Oly is somewhat smaller than the Panny. It is better than the 17 and the 17 is not bad at all.
The Panny focuses faster on the Pen1 and the G1. The sharpness is clearly better. The contrast is also much better.
The Oly is a nice small lens and very compact but it doesn't come close to IQ of the Panny.

The 20 is the best of the lot with great contrast and sharpness even wide open.
If I were keeping just 1 zoomie, it would be the Panny.
I don't use either so it's a non issue for me. The Pen 1 with the 20 is as good as it gets...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I've come around to your point of view, and am now using an E-P2 with 20mm...a great combo!

 

[JoeV]

Keep in mind that there's a Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm zoom due out soon, as well.

~Joe

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Cheaper construction, I have read, and a plastic mount...

 

[gavinlg]

panasonic is the better of the two.