OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Black For Micro Four Thirds System Camera, Compact 3x zoom Lens

I had the Lumix 14-42 non-powered zoom lens for my Lumix micro four-thirds camera. It was larger that I wanted and the zoom was stiff and "notchy". This Olympus lens is powered and small and is great for street photography or when you simply want a compact zoom lens. The quality is great and the lens is sharp enough for all but critical professional work. This was a great purchase and I recommend it to anyone looking for a similar focal length 4/3's lens

I have been looking and researching a new camera for some time to replace an older Fuji X-100 as my primary camera and an Oly 620 SLR. However, I went back and forth about a Canon G5X and the Olympus OM-D M5 Mark II as I wasn't sure if I really needed all the features of the Oly. I decided to buy the Oly and the 12-42 pro lens but didn't know about this lens. My primary lens for the Oly will be the 12-42 Pro as it is a really outstanding lens. However, I saw this lens after I bought my Oly and thought I would buy it just to see how it works. Although it will never have the picture quality and low light capabilities of that pro lens, it essentially makes a pocket camera nearly identical to the Canon. It's a quick way to make a pocket camera and still have the features of the other lens capability. I wanted the sealing of the body of the Oly as the Canon doesn't have that. this lens isn't sealed, but my pro is and that's good enough. I wouldn't recommend this as the primary lens for the M5 II, but I think it's a must have for your kit. I have an Alaska cruise planned in June, and will really get to put this Oly kit to the test. In test pictures side by side in the last few days, with and without the flash, this little pancake lens does a terrific job. I like that my M5 II is now like two cameras. Just make sure you get that Oly lens cover with this lens. I wasn't sure about that at first, but it's a must have for this lens. You can't use a filter, but that's what my pro and my other lenses are for. If you are on the fence about this lens, I really recommend it for the M5 II.

This is the best lens I've bought in a while because of its convenience - I put it on an Olympus PEN E-P2 camera that wasn't being used. Now I've turned my old camera into a good, go anywhere camera with no hassles. I just turn on the camera, the lens extends and I'm ready to go. I also bought the automatically opening / closing lens cap for the lens, no cap to remove and store, perfect. The zoom works very smooth and is silent - I haven't tried it on my GH4 yet but I like the silent operation. Also like that you can sort of program the zoom between two objects.For me, its made an old camera new again as I keep it close ready to shoot with.THE GOOD - 35mm equivalent of 28mm - 84mm for my M 4/3 format camera is just right for what I'm using it for. Lens quality is good, pretty sharp, not that fast but for what I'm using it for its great. I'm using it for work and take 100-200 images a day of boat parts, on the ocean, parts and damage. Overall good lens for the money. 600 plus images so far, good.THE OK - Although I knew this before buying it, its not great for close work. If you need macro capabilities this isn't your lens but does work well at 7-8 inches. With the good image quality of my old E-P2, shooting in RAW I can get get really good cropped images so I haven't really 'needed' macro capabilities. Olympus sells a macro screw on adapter (don't like adapters too much) and I may buy and try.THE BAD - For Me - Nothing.

The first sample I got was terrible. I wasn't pixel peeping, but just took a few test shots. They looked horrid; everything was VERY soft and out of focus. Totally unacceptable.The second sample (thank you Amazon!!!) is better. The right third of the frame looks soft, and it's got the soft edges and random soft areas typical of this type of lens, along with pretty bad chromatic aberration on the edges of the frame. But it's very small and light and makes a tidy package when used on one of the smaller E type cameras. Mine is on a E-PM2.I'll update this review, and perhaps up the rating (hopefully) after I've got some mileage on it.Note that the supplied lens cap is VERY difficult to get on and off. I balked at paying $40 for the automatic model, and got the $20 non-Olympus option. It worked fine the first day, but now it jams when opening. I diddled the blades (just like those on a point-and-shoot) and it seems OK. But I don't have high hopes that this is a cure. Will advise later.UPDATE 1/20/16 -Took it out as my only lens for a day of shooting. The good news: The lens cap blades worked fine. The bad: All the pics look lackluster - or worse. The (what ended up to be extreme) softness in the right third of the frame is very noticeable in everyday shooting. I got out my trusty 12-50 (24-100mm) for a reality check; it's an excellent lens.I don't know what's up at Olympus, but this has shaken my faith!! (I have a 45mm that's excellent, but the first sample didn't focus properly.)I bit the $$ bullet and got a Panasonic 12-32mm lens. It's $100 more, but based on a few test shots, well worth it. I like the extra wide coverage and particularly the fact that it's a good old fashioned manual zoom, not electronic only. It's virtually the same size and weight as the Oly. I shot the same test shots as with the Olympus and there's a world of difference. It appears that this is a serious optic with no serious problems. After a full day of shooting, I'll post a review under the proper heading.So ends the saga of the OlymFUSS 14-42. What a waste of time. Good riddance!!