The Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds lens is the first kit lens released for the Olympus PEN EP-1 camera. This lens is available in two different colors: Black and Silver. You can get the Black one from Amazon
When used on a micro four thirds format, the focal length is equal to 28-84mm in full frame equivalent. This lens has the look and retro feel that can easily matches the look of the PEN cameras.
The first thing that I notice when testing this lens is how compact it is! However, this is not the complete story.
It achieves compactness by utilizing the Zoom lock mechanism that allows the lens to be put on transport mode. When you put this lens to working (zooming) mode, then the size becomes longer, even longer than its competitor, Panasonic 14-45mm.
That being said, I still like the zoom lock mechanism because it allows me to carry this lens in any small camera bag.
In terms of build quality, this lens is fairly decent, typical of any kit lens out there.
However, the optical performance was a bit surprising. It is very sharp for a kit lens and has above average chromatic aberration and distortion control.
The only downside is the distortion which is visible at 14mm and 25mm.
If you are a new Olympus owner that want to shoot a bit of everything and want compactness at the same time, then this is the lens to get.
Just be careful not to abuse this lens too much due to its fragile build quality.
Read on the complete Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds Specs
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Official Name:
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED
Focal Length Markings:
14, 18, 25, 35 and 42mm
Features:
Micro Zuiko – Only compatible with Micro Four Thirds camera
ED – Extra Low Dispersion – Technology to maximize the image sharpness by minimizing the wavelength dispersion.
Full Technical Specs (from Olympus’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 8 / 9 |
| Angle of View | 75 – 29 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.25m |
| Filter Thread | 40.5mm |
| Weight | 150g |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 62 x 43.5mm |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.24X |
| Available at | Black (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama) or Silver (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama) |
Optical Performance
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Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds Sharpness
The center sharpness of this lens is very good for a kit lens. It is sharp throughout the zoom range at any aperture.
Border sharpness also shares similar characteristics with center sharpness. It is also sharp at any aperture throughout the zoom range.
The lens’ sweet spot (maximum point of sharpness) is at f/5.6.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 14mm | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Great |
| 25mm | Great | Excellent | Great | Great |
| 42mm | n/a | Great | Great | Great |
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 14mm | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| 25mm | Great | Great | Great | Good |
| 42mm | n/a | Great | Good | Good |
Distortion
Being a kit lens, there is a slightly visible barrel distortion at 14mm which is quite common.
At 25mm it is reduced, but still visible. At 42mm it can be completely ignored.
See the distortion test result below for this Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds lens.
Vignetting
Typically, kit lens suffers from slightly high degree of vignetting. However, it does not seem to be the case with this lens.
I am quite surprised to see the vignetting figure to be low which is very impressive. You can ignore the vignetting at any aperture and at any focal length.
See the full vignetting test result below for this Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds lens.
Chromatic Aberration
Vignetting control is another surprise on this lens. Olympus did a very good job on keeping chromatic aberration to a minimum.
It is very low at any focal length at any aperture and can safely be ignored in most shooting conditions.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 14mm | Very Low | Very Low | Low | Very Low |
| 25mm | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible | Very Low |
| 42mm | n/a | Negligible | Very Low | Very Low |
Build Quality
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Materials
The build quality of this lens is just OK. When it is on the locked (transport) position, the lens feels light but sturdy.
However, during operation, it is somewhat wobbly (typical of any kit lens). Just be careful when using this lens and don’t drop or abuse it.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring is very smooth and responsive. The lock switch is great for carrying the lens in transport mode.
Focusing
Although small, the focus ring is smooth to operate.
The autofocus speed is fast, silent and accurate all typical characteristics of contrast based autofocus.
Image Stabilization
If you are using an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera, the Image Stabilization is installed on the sensor, not on the lens.
On the other hand, Panasonic install the Image Stabilization on the lenses. If you are using this lens with Panasonic Micro Four Thirds, then you will not get Image Stabilization feature.
Compatibility
This lens is only compatible with Micro Four Thirds camera: both Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds can be used with this lens.
Note that this lens is not compatible with regular Four Thirds DSLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images taken with this lens. Click on any thumbnail to enlarge the images.
Get the best price online from these sites:
Black (Amazon
or
Silver (Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
So now we have arrived at the conclusion for this Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds lens review.
Being a kit lens, I was not expecting great stuff from this lens. However, I was wrong.
The build quality is fairly decent, which is typical for any kit lens. The one that surprises me is the optical performance.
Now, it is certainly not up to par to the more expensive professional lenses, but it is very good in the kit lens’ standard.
In terms of sharpness, this lens is very sharp on the center and is very good on the borders as well. Chromatic aberration and vignetting are both very well handled.
The downside seems to be on the distortion which is quite visible at both 14mm and 25mm. At 42mm, you can ignore distortion altogether.
Bottom line is, this is the perfect kit lens for photographers that demands compactness and versatility from their Micro Four Thirds camera.
Drawbacks
- Visible distortion at 14mm and 25mm
- Average build quality
Positives
- Great sharpness on the center and borders at any aperture and focal length
- Great chromatic aberration control
- Vignetting is very well controlled
- Autofocus performance is accurate, fast and silent
- Excellent value for money
Good For
- Compact and light kit lens for Micro Four Thirds camera
- All around lens for anyone wanting to shoot a bit of everything
Not So Good For
- Any serious or dedicated photography such as macro and sports
What Others Are Saying…
by “K. Hsiang”
Great kit lens! I was an early adopter of the Panasonic GF1 with the 20mm f/1.7 lens and I own another major brand DSLR. I have been a careful follower of the Micro Four Thirds standard since it was announced because I was tired of carrying around my large D-SLR…
Click here to see the full review
by “E.J Tastad”
This is a kit lens and it performs like one. Don’t take this as a bad thing, most kit lenses perform well. It is sharp at the wide angles with corners that are acceptable but not great, it is sharp across most of the frame…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
The Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds lens is available on two colors (black and silver).
Below are where you can get the best price online for either of them.
Support this site, buy the Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds (Black) lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
Support this site, buy the Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds lens (Silver) from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
See the following related lens reviews to see more Micro four thirds lenses options options.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds review and I will catch you in the next one!
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