The Panasonic 45-200mm lens is the first telephoto zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds camera. You can get this lens from either Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
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This lens is used to be sold as one package with the Panasonic G1 camera, but it is also available separately. When used with the micro 4/3 sensor, the effective focal length will be 90-400mm.
That focal length is fantastic for sports (outdoor), wildlife and portraiture photography. Due to the small, non-constant aperture of this lens, I would not recommend this lens for dim light shooting though.
Personally, I use this lens more often than the 14-140mm because it delivers better quality for still photography (the 14-140mm is better for video shooting).
I always bring this lens along with the 14-45mm lens whenever I am shooting out.
To see my Panasonic 45-200mm review, read on.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Panasonic 45-200mm Specs
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Official Name:
Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S
Focal Length Markings:
45, 60, 75, 100, 150, 200mm
Features:
Micro Four Thirds Mount – 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 | 13 / 16 |
| Angle of View | 27 – 6.2 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 1m |
| Filter Thread | 52mm |
| Weight | 380g |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 70 x 100mm |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.19X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Adorama |
Optical Performance
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Panasonic 45-200mm Sharpness
Sharpness is great on the center at any focal length and aperture.
Border sharpness is good as well at any aperture and focal length.
The sharpest aperture on this lens is f/5.6.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/4-4.7 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 45mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| 100mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| 150mm | n/a | Great | Great | Good |
| 200mm | n/a | Great | Great | Good |
Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/4-4.7 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 45mm | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 100mm | Good | Great | Great | Good |
| 150mm | n/a | Good | Good | Good |
| 200mm | n/a | Good | Good | Good |
Distortion
Being a telephoto lens, distortion (especiall barrel) can be ignored on this lens. It is not visible at any and focal length.
See the distortion test result below.
Vignetting
Being a zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds format, vignetting is apparent, especially on the widest aperture at any focal length.
To reduce vignetting greatly, stop down to f/8 at any focal length. At f/5.6 the vignetting is reduced greatly from the widest aperture, but to get the best, cleanest result, go with f/8.
See the full vignetting test result below.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is very well controlled on this lens. It can only ranges from very low to negligible which is excellent.
It is just ever so slightly apparent at 200mm but you can easily correct this with any post processing software.
See my chromatic aberration test result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/4-4.7 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 45mm | Very Low | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible |
| 100mm | Very Low | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible |
| 150mm | n/a | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible |
| 200mm | n/a | Low | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
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Materials
Good quality plastic with metal mount.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring operates very smooth on this lens. There is no zoom creep. The lens dimension will change during zooming towards the telephoto end.
Focusing
Focus ring also operates very smoothly. Autofocus speed is fairly fast, silent and accurate on this lens.
The front filter thread does not rotate so you can use a polarizing filter easily on this lens.
Image Stabilization
Panasonic added the Mega O.I.S image stabilization on this lens. With this lens, I was able to get up to 2 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
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
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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: Amazon
Conclusion
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OK, we’ve arrived at the conclusion section of this Panasonic 45-200mm lens.
As the first telephoto zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds format, this lens really does not disappoint.
In terms of optical performance, it is very good. Sharpness is great both on the center and on the borders. This is true at any focal length and aperture.
Distortion and chromatic aberration are both controlled very well at any focal length and aperture.
The only issue would be the visible vignetting at the first 2 widest aperture (f/4.5 and f/5.6 namely). It will not be noticeable if you are not a “pixel peeper” though.
Build quality is very good on this lens, especially for a budget telephoto zoom lens. With the Mega O.I.S I can get extra 2 to 3 f-stops depending on how chilly the weather outside is
Overall, I would prefer this lens over the 14-140mm if you are not shooting HD movie.
I always carry the 14-45mm and this lens when I am using my Micro Four Thirds cameras.
If you are looking for a sharp telephoto zoom lens for still photography, this is the lens to get.
Drawbacks
- Visible vignetting at f/4.5 and f/5.6 at any focal length and aperture
Positives
- Good overall sharpness at any focal length and aperture
- Good distortion control at any focal length
- Excellent chromatic aberration control at any focal length and aperture
- Fast, silent and accurate autofocus performance
- Good build quality
- Excellent value for money
Good For
- All around telephoto lens
- Portraiture
- Sports photography on bright light
- Wildlife photography
Not So Good For
- Shooting anything under dim lighting condition
What Others Are Saying…
by “Draper Kauffman”
I have five lenses for my G1, but this is my favorite. Overall, it’s quite sharp and produces images with an excellent feel to them, particularly for such a comparatively low price. Initial test reports indicated…
Click here to see the full review
by “L. Rothman”
I have no idea why anyone would have this lens and not sing it’s praises. Perhaps, for some reason they did not get a good copy. I’ve now worked with 2 and both were stunningly fast to focus, sharp throughout…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Panasonic 45-200mm lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
See the following related lens reviews to see more Micro four thirds zoom lenses options options.
Alright, thanks checking out this Panasonic 45-200mm review and I will catch you in the next review!
| Lens Score | |
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| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
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