Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED § 03 Head to head
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED vs OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III
Olympus 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 is 17 mm shorter. OM System 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 is 25 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED 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 the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED 
OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III 01
Key differences
Why is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?
- 17 mm shorter (43.5 mm vs 60 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (40.5 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?
- 25 g lighter (125 g vs 150 g)
- Focuses 12 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.25 m)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2009)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED | OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 14–42mm | 14–42mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 125 g (4.41 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 62 x 43.5 mm | 50.5 x 60 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.25 m (9.84 inches) | 0.13 m (5.12 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | — | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 9 elements / 8 groups | 8 elements / 7 groups |
| Filter size | 40.5 mm ◆ | 46 mm |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2009 | 2026 |
| Price | — | $349.99 list price |
04
Size
- A · Olympus
- B · OM
- 43.5 × 62 mm
- 60 × 50.5 mm
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III is 16 mm longer and 25 g lighter than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED.
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Sample frames
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED 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 weighs 125 g, 25 g less than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED (150 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED 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 0.25 m for the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED.
- Do the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED and the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III better for architecture?
- For architecture, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III has the edge: it is 25 g lighter to carry.
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Other comparisons
- OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III vs Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14 42mm F3.5 5.6 ASPH OIS
- 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
- OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III vs Panasonic G VARIO 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH. M.O.I.S
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R vs OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III
- OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III vs Panasonic G VARIO 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.
- OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III vs Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.