Olympus Pen 14-42mm MKI vs 14-42mm MKII

Zuiko 14-42mm Performance

We've previously tested each lens individually using the ePHOTOzine test bench. you can see results here: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MkI and Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 MkII. Our results show that while both lenses are very good, the MKI has the better performance especially at the edges of the frame when shooting wide open. When you stop down the lenses equal out. So if low light shooting is important you'd be better looking out for the older lens.

As you saw above, the newer lens has a lower subject magnification making close ups appear less close. The focusing distance is supposed to be the same, but I found I could get as close as 21cm from the CCD to subject with the MkI whereas on the newer lens it was the stated 25cm. This resulted in a more magnified subject in the viewfinder (see head shot of statue above).

Also from the same position the older MkI lens gives a fractionally wider angle of view - see the photos below where they were taken from the same tripod mounted spot.

Olympus 14-42mm Mk I	Olympus 14-42mm Mk II
1/10 sec | f/4.2 | 22.0 mm | ISO 100	1/13 sec | f/4.2 | 22.0 mm | ISO 100

Next up was a test of lens distortion. While not pretty, one of the easiest ways to test for distortion is to photograph a brick wall and look for signs of bending in to the centre which would indicate pincushion distortion or bending out at the centre indicating barrel distortion.
Both lenses performed admirably. Just a slight amount of expected curvature at the wide setting and slightly more distortion on the MKII at 14mm that's most noticeable on the top line of bricks bending more in top middle.

Olympus 14-42mm Mk I	Olympus 14-42mm Mk II
1/250 sec | f/4.0 | 14.0 mm | ISO 100	1/250 sec | f/4.0 | 14.0 mm | ISO 100
1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 42.0 mm | ISO 100	1/125 sec | f/5.6 | 42.0 mm | ISO 100

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