Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ED M.Zuiko Digital

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ED M.Zuiko Digital User Reviews

• 8 out of 10 points and recommended by jwdw (1 reviews)
  light, fast, tiny ,very acceptable image quality for a zoom this size

  expensive lens cap , don't expect prime lens image quality

  I am using this lens as walk around lens. It stays on my olympus EPL3 most of the time. used it also on my OM-D . Image quality is absolutely satisfying for this type of lens. they are sharp, and the contrast is good enough. Its "friendly" , feels good too . On the EPL3 it's at its best ( i think because of the lower resolution sensor). i don't compare it to my prime's ( 20mm1.7, 45mm1.8 or 60mm 2.8)

  reviewed October 9th, 2014 (purchased for $359)
• 4 out of 10 points and not recommended by waterfoot (3 reviews)
  Size, build quality

  Almost everything else

  I bought to make a "pocketable" camera (along with a E-PM2 body) to do much the same job as something like a XZ-2, say.
  
  Boy was I disappointed; I expected performance similar to other Olympus kit lenses but this one comes nowhere near. It lacks "bite" (low microcontrast) at any focal length and aperture, producing rather dull, tonally flat images.
  
  Just to add insult it sometimes misbehaved on startup/shutdown and occasionally failed to focus, although this was rare. I tried hard to "get to like it" but failed and sold it for a loss, replacing it with the (excellent) Panasonic 12-32. The little Panasonic lens is in a different league optically, challenging my Olympus 12-40/2.8 in the centre of the frame even wide open.
  
  I usually like Olympus lenses, often getting attractive results from lenses that are brushed aside by the "sharpness is everything" fanatics (the 17/2.8 springs to mind) but the 14-42 EZ has no redeeming optical characteristics to mitigate its lack of resolution.
  
  Definitely not recommended.

  reviewed September 6th, 2014 (purchased for $300)
• 4 out of 10 points and not recommended by nippa (3 reviews)
  Nicely made , very light and a great built in lens cap ( extra accessory )

  It's not sharp enough for me

  I've tried two copies of this lens and while its size and build makes it highly attractive I've been unhappy with the limited sharpness.
  The mediocre resolution means that I've given up the convenience of the lens for the old Lumix 14-45 and thereby lies a tale.
  
  If I compare your resolution charts for the two lenses I see very little difference but in practice one is fit for A4 prints and one for A3.
  
  If small size is important this lens will do the job although a good quality compact will do much better.
  Watch for shutter shake as I found with my E-M10 ; after using the electronic shutter resolution improved.
  
  PostScript... I've tried to like this lens but it's the poorest piece of glass I've ever purchased. If you never print large it will do but why tolerate it when something like a tiny Sony RX100 blows it out of the water for IQ?

  reviewed September 2nd, 2014