§ 03 Head to head

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ vs OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III

Olympus 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 is 32 g lighter. OM System 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 focuses 7 cm closer.

Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ is a 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, and the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III is a 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 3 advantages each.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?

  • 32 g lighter (93 g vs 125 g)
  • 38 mm shorter (22.5 mm vs 60 mm long)
  • Smaller filter thread (37 mm vs 46 mm)

Why is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III better than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ?

  • Focuses 7 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.2 m)
  • More aperture blades (7 vs 5)
  • Newer design (2026 vs 2014)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ has the edge: it is 32 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ has the edge: it is 32 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationOlympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZOM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III
Focal length14–42mm 14–42mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5-5.6 f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Weight93 g (3.28 oz) ◆125 g (4.41 oz)
Dimensions60.6 x 22.5 mm 50.5 x 60 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.20 m (7.87 inches) 0.13 m (5.12 inches) ◆
Image stabilization—No
Weather sealing—Yes
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades5 7 ◆
Optical construction8 elements / 7 groups 8 elements / 7 groups
Filter size37 mm ◆46 mm
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Released2014 2026
Price—$349.99 list price
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Olympus
  • B · OM
  • 22.5 × 60.6 mm
  • 60 × 50.5 mm

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III is 37 mm longer and 32 g heavier than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

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

Lazise, Lake Garda, Italy
Lazise, Lake Garda, Italy by Sheena Woodhead
Number 21, Lazise
Number 21, Lazise by Sheena Woodhead
Bardolino, Lake Garda, Italy
Bardolino, Lake Garda, Italy by Sheena Woodhead
Bardolino, Lake Garda, Italy
Bardolino, Lake Garda, Italy by Sheena Woodhead

OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III

Prag
Prag by pietro195
Prag
Prag by pietro195
Prag
Prag by pietro195
Prag
Prag by pietro195
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ review 1
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ review 2
Video thumbnail for OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III review 1
Video thumbnail for OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ weighs 93 g, 32 g less than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III (125 g).
Which focuses closer, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III focuses down to 0.13 m, against 0.2 m for the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ.
Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ has the edge: it is 32 g lighter to carry.
Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III better for architecture?
For architecture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED EZ has the edge: it is 32 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons