OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III § 03 Head to head
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.
OM System 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 is 70 g lighter. Panasonic 14–45mm f/3.5-5.6 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: 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, and the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. is a 14–45mm 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, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III 
Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. 01
Key differences
Why is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III better than the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?
- 70 g lighter (125 g vs 195 g)
- Focuses 17 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.3 m)
- Smaller filter thread (46 mm vs 52 mm)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2008)
Why is the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?
- Longer reach (45mm vs 42mm)
- Has optical image stabilization
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 70 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 70 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III | Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 14–42mm | 14–45mm |
| 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 | 125 g (4.41 oz) ◆ | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Dimensions | 50.5 x 60 mm | 60 x 60 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.13 m (5.12 inches) ◆ | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 8 elements / 7 groups | 12 elements in 9 groups |
| Filter size | 46 mm ◆ | 52 mm |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2026 | 2008 |
| Price | $349.99 list price | — |
04
Size
- A · OM
- B · Panasonic
- 60 × 50.5 mm
- 60 × 60 mm
The Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. is 70 g heavier than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III.
05
Sample frames
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III
Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?
- The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III weighs 125 g, 70 g less than the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. (195 g).
- Which focuses closer, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?
- The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III focuses down to 0.13 m, against 0.3 m for the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S..
- Do the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III and the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. have image stabilization?
- Only the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has optical image stabilization.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. 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 70 g lighter to carry.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic G VARIO 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. 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 70 g lighter to carry.
08
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.
- 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