Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 G X ASPH. O.I.S Micro Four Thirds Le

This compact standard zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras covers a range equivalent to a 28-84mm lens on a 35mm camera, sports a unique compact design and optical image stabilisation. It is currently available as a kit with the Lumix G1X camera and can be picked up on its own for around £370. It is unique because it uses motors to drive the zoom and manual focusing, and this design has allowed Panasonic to create a lens that is only 26.8mm deep when not in use.

Panasonic also offer another 14-42mm lens which comes standard as a kit option on their other cameras, such as the Lumix G3. It is similarly specified to the lens being reviewed here, except that it doesn't sport the power zoom, compact size when not in use, or metal lens mount and costs only £170.

To crowd things even further, Panasonic also offer a 14-45mm lens, with similar specifications except for the compact, power zoom design and an additional 3mm to the telephoto range. This lens sits between the other two in the range, costing around £230.

Olympus also offer two 14-42mm lenses. Both their 14-42mm lenses feature a collapsible design, making them more compact when not in use, but they lack optical stabilisation. The Olympus MkI 14-42mm optic costs around £230 but doesn't focus internally. The newer MkII version focuses internally and costs around £230.

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