Olympus 14-42 IIR vs Olympus 14-42 EZ: I have the OMD EM-10 with the IIR lens. I have read that the EZ is a bit sharper/crisper. Now if so, is it worth selling the IIR and buying the...

spike-2

I have the OMD EM-10 with the IIR lens. I have read that the EZ is a bit sharper/crisper. Now if so, is it worth selling the IIR and buying the EZ which Olympus has on sale for $199 ($100 off). Would appreciate hearing from those who have used the two lenses.
Thanks
Dave

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I thought it was the other way around. The ez is not as sharp as the IIr from what I can recall.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Personally I'd recommend the 12-32 over both of them. The extra 2mm on the wide end comes in handy.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Cdouthitt wrote:

Personally I'd recommend the 12-32 over both of them. The extra 2mm on the wide end comes in handy.

It is my understanding that the 12-32 lens is made by Panasonic. I have used the original 14-42 and the 14-42 IIR made by Olympus and my eyes cannot tell the difference. Never tried the 14-42 EZ.
If looking for the best quality in that range the Olympus Zuiko 14-40 f2.8 is your lens but it is pricey.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

camerapapi wrote:

It is my understanding that the 12-32 lens is made by Panasonic. I have used the original 14-42 and the 14-42 IIR made by Olympus and my eyes cannot tell the difference. Never tried the 14-42 EZ.
If looking for the best quality in that range the Olympus Zuiko 14-40 f2.8 is your lens but it is pricey.

Correct, the 12-32 is by panasonic, but will work with your olympus. Depending on your camera you can use the ios in the lens. I use it on my EPM-2 mostly with ios in the lens, not the body.

The 12-40 f2.8 is a wonderful lens, but it is pricey and a bit heavier than one would think (depending on the body it is mounted to). It's on my EM1 about 75% of the time.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

spike-2 wrote:

I have the OMD EM-10 with the IIR lens. I have read that the EZ is a bit sharper/crisper. Now if so, is it worth selling the IIR and buying the EZ which Olympus has on sale for $199 ($100 off). Would appreciate hearing from those who have used the two lenses.
Thanks
Dave

I have an EZ and I hate it. I think it may be a bad copy though. I've had it in the shop twice and it still doesn't work right. The 12-50 is a lot better and more versatile even though its shape is less compact (waterproof, macro feature).

When the best IQ really matters I use the old format 12-60 with an adapter, it's a tack sharp bright zoom. I've handled the 12-40 but it weighs as much as the 12-60 so I don't really see a reason to get it, the quality is similar to what I already have. If I were to buy a new m43 short zoom it would be the panasonic already mentioned because it's a bit smaller and suits the m43 body well.

spike-2

Thanks everyone appreciate your insight.
Dave

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

spike-2 wrote:

Thanks everyone appreciate your insight.
Dave

I paid $180 for a used Panasonic 12-32 off ebay. The lens is tiny and very sharp.

Here's one for $195.

http://www.mu-43.com/threads/78666/

spike-2

Clint
Thanks I've read some strong reviews on this lens and it seems superior to the Olympus kit.
Dave

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

spike-2 wrote:

Clint
Thanks I've read some strong reviews on this lens and it seems superior to the Olympus kit.
Dave

That's why I own one ;-)

I swear the the 12-32mm and 20mm (and probably the 14mm) were made for the EPM2. Very compact combo.

EPM2 12-32mm @ 32mm f5.6

and one of the reasons I own the 20mm (lighting was very poor).
Shot at ISO 2000 on the EPM2 f1.8 (not sure why it wasn't at 1.7)

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

spike-2 wrote:

I have the OMD EM-10 with the IIR lens. I have read that the EZ is a bit sharper/crisper. Now if so, is it worth selling the IIR and buying the EZ which Olympus has on sale for $199 ($100 off). Would appreciate hearing from those who have used the two lenses.
Thanks
Dave

I am mainly a Nikon gut, but I have a Oly. M4/3 E-PL2 for having a taste with other system. I have the IIR version of the 14-42mm lens. I brought along this Oly. with me as well as my Nikon DSLR making a cruise to Alaska. It amazes me with the pictures it took.
Here's a sample.

(Download)

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I could never tell the difference but I now use a Panasonic 14-45 which seems to be quite a lot sharper. My main lens though is the Panasonic 20mm F 1.7 prime lens which beats them all in image quality even at its widest.