Panasonic Lumix G X 14-42mm PZ Lens

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Verdict

It's pleasing that a company like Panasonic is innovating in lens design and usability. In this 'X' lens they are maximising the advantages of having an electronic as opposed to mechanical camera body. On a Panasonic GF or Olympus Pen, this lens enables you to carry the camera in a large pocket or, more elegantly for a woman, in her handbag.

It is expensive and I'd have liked the optical performance to be better than the standard Panasonic kit version. Pancake lenses always seem to involve some performance hit compared to their standard size counterparts, however.

If you value compactness above all but must have a zoom standard lens or you want ultra-smooth zooming movies from your CSC, you have (literally) no other choice than this one and I would therefore have to recommend it.

If you don't need the compactness and movies are not on your priority list, the standard kit lens would do just as well and save you a lot of money.

The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 14-42mm lens is compact and a must have if you want ultra-smooth zooming in movies.

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Pros

Diminutive size
Fast autofocus
Smooth operation
Quality feel
Power Zoom good for movies

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Cons

Expensive
Optically no better than kit lens
Cannot fit lens hood
No OIS switch

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL

User Review by David Thorpe (Lemmy)

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