Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R vs Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.

Both are Micro Four Thirds zoom 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

Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.

f/3.5195 g

Check price Full specs

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

You want the lighter lens to carry: 83 g lighter (112 g vs 195 g)
You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.25 m vs 0.3 m
You want bigger close-ups: 0.19× vs 0.17× maximum magnification
You want a compact lens: 50 mm vs 60 mm long

Pick the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S. if

You need more reach: 45mm vs 42mm at the long 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

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 14-45mm 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 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega O.I.S.
Brand	Olympus	Panasonic
Focal length	14-42mm	14-45mm
Weight	112 g lighter	195 g
Length	50 mm shorter	60 mm
Diameter	57 mm slimmer	60 mm
Filter thread	37 mm	52 mm
Min focus distance	0.25 m closer	0.3 m
Max magnification	0.19× larger	0.17×
Optical design	8 elements / 7 groups	12 elements / 9 groups
Image stabilization	No	Yes stabilized

3 identical specs hidden: mount, type, max aperture. Show all

Mount: Micro Four Thirds both
Type: Zoom both
Max aperture: f/3.5 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