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 Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
OM System 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 focuses 7 cm closer. Panasonic 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 is 30 g lighter.
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 Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. is a 14–42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. On paper the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III 
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER 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 Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.?
- Focuses 7 cm closer (0.13 m vs 0.2 m)
- Is weather sealed
- Newer design (2026 vs 2012)
Why is the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III?
- 30 g lighter (95 g vs 125 g)
- 33 mm shorter (26.8 mm vs 60 mm long)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (37 mm vs 46 mm)
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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 weather sealed.
- architecture For architecture, the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. has the edge: it is 30 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | OM M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III | Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Standard zoom lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 125 g (4.41 oz) | 95 g (0.21 lb) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 50.5 x 60 mm | 61 mm (diameter) x 26.8 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.13 m (5.12 inches) ◆ | 0.20 m (7.87 in) |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.17x |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | Yes ◆ | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 (circular) |
| Optical construction | 8 elements / 7 groups | 9 elements in 8 groups (includes 4 aspherical and 2 ED elements) |
| Filter size | 46 mm | 37 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Released | 2026 | 2012 |
| Price | $349.99 list price | — |
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Size
- A · OM
- B · Panasonic
- 60 × 50.5 mm
- 26.8 × 61 mm
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III is 33 mm longer and 30 g heavier than the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S..
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Sample frames
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. weighs 95 g, 30 g less than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III (125 g).
- Which focuses closer, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER 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 0.2 m for the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S..
- Do the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III and the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. have image stabilization?
- Only the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER 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 Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER 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 weather sealed.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 III or the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. has the edge: it is 30 g lighter to carry.
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Other comparisons
- 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
- 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.