The Panasonic 14-45 is the first kit lens for the Micro Four Thirds format. It was originally released with the Panasonic G1 camera.
You can get this lens from either Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
I would consider myself a semi pro photographer who buy way too many expensive lenses and equipments. However, I do still find joy in using kit lenses. They are small, light and can be sharp.
One thing that surprises me on this lens is the build quality. Having been a user of the Nikon 18-55 VR lens, I did not expect the build quality to be great.
However, this lens proves me wrong. The build quality is very good for a kit lens. Everything is made from high quality plastics made with tight tolerance.
The filter thread also stays constant during focusing, which is great for a kit lens.
Panasonic also put their Mega O.I.S image stabilization technology on this lens. I can get up to 3 stops on this lens. Amazingly, they still manage to keep the lens body small and compact.
On top of the excellent build quality, this lens is sharp and cheap!
Optical performance is very good for a kit lens and it is priced very well.
If I can summarize this lens in one sentence, this will be it: So much value for so little money.
I would recommend this lens over the Olympus 14-42mm kit lens.
Read the Panasonic 14-45 review below if you want to see my full tests and findings.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Panasonic 14-45 Specs
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Official Name:
Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega O.I.S
Focal Length Markings:
14, 18, 25, 35, 45mm
Features:
Micro Zuiko – Only compatible with Micro Four Thirds camera
Mega O.I.S – Panasonic’s term for Image Stabilization. This is the technology to counter camera bluriness caused by unsteady hand during shooting. Will help in making image sharper as a result.
Full Technical Specs (from Olympus’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 9 / 12 |
| Angle of View | 75 – 27 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.3m |
| Filter Thread | 52mm |
| Weight | 195g |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 60 x 60mm |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.17X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Adorama |
Optical Performance
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Panasonic 14-45 Sharpness
This lens is very sharp on the center at any focal length and apertures.
Borders are quite good as well at any focal length and apertures, complementing the center sharpness nicely.
The optimal aperture on this lens is at f/5.6. To see the full sharpness test of this Panasonic 14-45 lens, look at the tables below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega O.I.S Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 14mm | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Great |
| 18mm | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Great |
| 25mm | n/a | Excellent | Great | Great |
| 45mm | n/a | Great | Great | Great |
Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega O.I.S Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 14mm | Great | Great | Great | Good |
| 18mm | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 25mm | n/a | Good | Good | Good |
| 45mm | n/a | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Distortion is apparent at the widest focal length (14mm). At 18mm it is only slightly visible.
At 25mm and 45mm distortion are completely gone and can be safely ignored.
See the distortion test for this Panasonic 14-45 lens below.
Vignetting
Typical of a kit zoom lens, vignetting is visible at 14mm on f/3.5. Stop down to f/5.6 to reduce it significantly.
At other apertures, vignetting is very well controlled.
See the full vignetting test result below for this Panasonic 14-45 lens.
Chromatic Aberration
The chromatic aberration result came as a surprise to me. I was not expecting this lens to perform this good.
Chromatic aberration is mostly negligible at any aperture and focal length. You can see the full Panasonic 14-45 vignetting test result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega O.I.S Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 14mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Very Low |
| 18mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
| 25mm | n/a | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
| 45mm | n/a | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
Build Quality
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Materials
Good quality plastics with metal mounts. Everything is tight with no wobbly parts.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring is very smooth to use. There is no zoom creep on this lens which is awesome!
The lens will extend when zoomed towards the telephoto range.
Focusing
Focus ring also operates very smooth. The front element of this lens does not rotate during focusing so using a polarizing filter is a snap.
Autofocus is very fast and silent, trademark of the contrast AF system.
Image Stabilization
Panasonic added the Mega O.I.S image stabilization on this lens. With this lens, I was able to get up to 3 extra stops.
If you are using an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera, be sure to turn off either the In Body Image Stabilization on the Olympus body or this lens’ Mega O.I.S.
Do not turn on both Image Stabilization function.
Compatibility
The Panasonic 14-45 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 Panasonic 14-45 lens is not compatible with regular Four Thirds DSLR camera.
Sample Image
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Below are some sample images taken with this Panasonic 14-45 lens. Click on any thumbnail to enlarge the images.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
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Alright, now I will conclude this Panasonic 14-45 lens review.
Being the first kit lens for the Micro Four Thirds format, this lens has performed very well.
I was surprised at first to see the build quality. It is inherently better than most kit lens for DSLR format. Yes, I think this is even better than my cheap Nikon 18-55mm VR lens.
Both focus and zoom ring is smooth. Autofocusing is fast and accurate as well.
In terms of optical performance, this lens has fared very well for a kit lens. It has sharp optics and the pictures that I took with this lens are contrasty.
It has some minor downsides such as visible distortion and vignetting at 14mm. However, for the price you pay, this is not something major and I would gladly deal with those (easily) in post processing instead.
I tend to lean towards this lens than to the Olympus 14-42mm kit lens.
I love the better build and the color rendetion that this Panasonic 14-45 gives out.
If you are looking for an excellent kit lens for your Micro Four Thirds camera, then I would highly recommend this lens.
Drawbacks
- Slightly visible vignetting at 14mm f/3.5
- Slightly visible distortion at 14mm
Positives
- Sharp on the center and borders at any aperture and focal length
- Superb chromatic aberration control
- Good build for a kit lens
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent Image Stabilization Up to 3 f-stops
- Great value for money
Good For
- Stay-on-the camera, walk around lens
- Landscape photography
- Street photography
- Moderate portraiture photography
Not So Good For
- Low light shooting due to the limited f/3.5 aperture. The Panasonic 20mm lens will compliment this lens nicely.
What Others Are Saying…
by “Amin Sabet”
I’ve owned the latest Canon and Nikon 18-55mm stabilized kit zooms, and this Panasonic has them beat in terms of sharpness across the frame, lack of color fringing, and build quality. The sharpness…
Click here to see the full review
by “Sean”
Compact, lightweight, quick autofocus, effective stabilization, and excellent sharpness. No light falloff issues. My main camera and lens combo is the Nikon D200 with a $1,300 17-55mm f/2.8 as the standard zoom…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Panasonic 14-45 lens 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 apart from this Panasonic 14-45 lens.
Alright, thanks checking out my Panasonic 14-45 review, hope you’ve enjoyed it and I will catch you around!
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