My pick for Micro Four Thirds system hero lens, the humble 14-42mm f3.5-5.6

Most camera systems  offer a selection of hero lenses. These offer wide aperture and high quality. They are usually  heavy and expensive and only serious enthusiasts and professionals  actually buy them.

But I think the real heroes of the lens world can be found at the other end of the price/popularity spectrum.

My choice for hero lens in the Micro Four thirds system is the humble little Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 zoom.

A version of this with plastic lens mount is typically bundled as a kit with one of the mid range Lumix bodies.

I recently bought a G85 as a kit with the 14-42 mm lens which added only $70 to the body only price. 

A version of the lens with metal mount can be purchased separately from camera stores for around AU$320 in Sydney.  

With either mount this is a Mk2 version of the 14-42mm lens, introduced in 2013 to replace an earlier, optically and mechanically quite different and distinctly inferior 14-42mm model. There is no indication on the lens itself that it is a Mk2 model.

It is actually the third Panasonic kit lens for the M43 system with a focal length starting at 14mm.

The first was the no-longer-in-production 14-45mm f3.5-5.6.  I had three of these over the years and found each to be of excellent quality. One of these in good condition could be worth seeking out on the second hand market.  I believe it is not configured for Dual IS however.

The current version of the 14-42mm supports dual IS (2) but only on compatible Panasonic bodies including the G85.

I had the opportunity to test the 14-42mm alongside the much more expensive Lumix GX Vario 12-35mm f2.8 lens. I bought this lens separately for $900.

I test for resolution close to the camera (about 1-2 meters) using a chart and also distant from the camera (about 25-100m) using a scene which allows me to evaluate lens performance across the frame at all focal lengths from one camera position. 

I look at contrast, distortion, color fringing and behaviour against the light.  I also check for image stabiliser and focussing  performance.

Before reaching any conclusion about a lens I need to know if it is a good copy. Unfortunately sample variation in lenses is one of the bugbears of modern photography possibly a consequence of the ever present pressure to lower prices.

I like to see a lens which delivers approximately the same level of sharpness and resolution across the frame at all apertures and focal lengths. If one side of the frame is unsharp at one or more focal lengths this indicates decentering which is usually an assembly fault.

If one focal length or aperture is markedly less sharp than the others this would also usually indicate a fault with either production of the lens elements or their assembly.

I have had the misfortune to be the recipient of many lenses blighted by one or more of these faults over the years.

In this case both lenses tested exhibited  good centering and decently consistent sharpness across the frame at all focal lengths.

I deem them both to be good copies.

I found the only advantage of the much more expensive 12-35mm lens is the constant f2.8 aperture.

My copy of the 14-42mm is actually slightly sharper than the 12-35mm at 24mm and 18mm focal lengths at matched apertures. The difference is most evident in the corners.

The two are equally sharp at 25mm and the 12-35mm has  a small advantage at 35mm.

The 14-42mm has less distortion across the focal length range.

Each delivers the same contrast on my tests.  

Discussion   My tests indicate the 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 is one of the best entry level lenses available for the M43 system.

It represents remarkable value for money and within its aperture and focal length range can hold its own optically and mechanically with much more expensive zooms.

The photographer requiring a 3x utility zoom for mainly outdoor work with some well  lit indoor work at the wide end of the zoom range need look no further than the 14-42mm.

The 12-35mm was introduced in 2012 and on these tests might be considered slightly outclassed by more recent designs. It delivers good sharpness in the central area of the frame but gets a little soft in the corners at the wide end.

It is more compact that the newer 12-60mm zooms and is more suitable for indoor/low light work due to the constant wide aperture.