Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R vs Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.

Both are Micro Four Thirds lenses. Here is what actually differs.

Olympus

M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R

f/3.5112 g

Full specs

Panasonic · 2013

Lumix G Vario 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.

f/3.570 g

Check price Full specs

Pick the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R if

You need more reach: 42mm vs 32mm at the long end
You want bigger close-ups: 0.19× vs 0.13× maximum magnification

Pick the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S. if

You want the lighter lens to carry: 42 g lighter (70 g vs 112 g)
You want a wider view: 12mm vs 14mm at the wide end
You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R does not
You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.2 m vs 0.25 m
You want a compact lens: 24 mm vs 50 mm long

Spec differences

10 differences

Specifications that differ between the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R and the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.
	Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R	Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.
Brand	Olympus	Panasonic
Type	Zoom	Wide Zoom
Focal length	14-42mm	12-32mm
Weight	112 g	70 g lighter
Length	50 mm	24 mm shorter
Diameter	57 mm	55.5 mm
Min focus distance	0.25 m	0.2 m closer
Max magnification	0.19× larger	0.13×
Image stabilization	No	Yes stabilized
Released	not listed	2013

4 identical specs hidden: mount, max aperture, filter thread, optical design. Show all

Mount: Micro Four Thirds both
Max aperture: f/3.5 both
Filter thread: 37 mm both
Optical design: 8 elements / 7 groups both

Our notes

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R: a standard zoom lens with a 14-42mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6, made for Micro Four Thirds mount cameras. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.

Our notes