Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R § 03 Head to head
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
Olympus 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 is 12 g lighter. OM System 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 focuses 12 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 II R 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 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R 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 II R 
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 II R better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?
- 12 g lighter (113 g vs 125 g)
- 10 mm shorter (50 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 II R?
- Focuses 12 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.25 m)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2011)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R has the edge: it is 12 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R has the edge: it is 12 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R | 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 | 113 g (3.99 oz) ◆ | 125 g (4.41 oz) |
| Dimensions | 56.5 x 50 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 | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 8 elements / 7 groups | 8 elements / 7 groups |
| Filter size | 37 mm ◆ | 46 mm |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2011 | 2026 |
| Price | — | $349.99 list price |
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Size
- A · Olympus
- B · OM
- 50 × 56.5 mm
- 60 × 50.5 mm
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III is 10 mm longer and 12 g heavier than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R.
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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 II R 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 II R weighs 113 g, 12 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 II R 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 II R.
- Do the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R 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 II R 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 II R has the edge: it is 12 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R 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 II R has the edge: it is 12 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.