nice review again~ do u mind in ur next vid or so that u do a size comparison w/ a dslr? i really want to see the size of this thing .. i know people said it is smaller than they thought.

Yes, this video helped me decide. Thanks.

Very nicely done, but you forgot one important feature of the 12-50mm. That feature is "12mm." There is a huge difference between 12mm and 14mm, so while the 14-150mm lens might be a better choice for people who prefer to go long.... the 12-50mm might work a lot better for people doing street shooting, architectural photography or landscapes.

I can't thank you enough for this review. Straight to the point!

Thanks for a clearly articulated video. IMO image examples are a really big help for the potential buyer so maybe think about that.

Another nice review. You forgot to mention the MF rings on these. I´m mostly interested in video with the EM-5 + 14-150mm combo, but I´m quite concerned about the possible inconveniences of having a focus-by-wire ring, instead of the MF rings, that pretty much everybody seems to like better, at least for video use. Any thoughts on this? Thanks

So if price was not an issue, any suggestions on what's the best lens in the 14mm - 150mm range for the OM-D with ideally "low" fixed aperture (not sure if it exists with low fixed aperture) and still retains the reasonably quick focus capability for still pictures (video is not a priority)? Thanks.

Panasonic GH3 has time laps function built into the camera. Moreover, using electronic shutter makes it a must have camera for time laps (new firmware fixes time lapse problems).

For the 12-50mm, in manual zoom mode, at the maximum and minimum zoom, does the zoom ring fully stop turning or is there just an increase in resistance (but still able to turn)

with an lens like the 14-150, when you zoom in and out, the extending tube must create -ve and +ve pressures inside. how is that pressure relieved and is it possible they are sucking micro dust into the lens system?

Both lenses are easy to use. It depends on factors like weatherproofing and zoom range.

The MF ring is very smooth and quiet on both lenses, but they do require a long rotation to bring things into focus, this will cause lens shake.

I forgot to mention that the reason I´m interested in MF is the unreliable AF-C of this camera (it has way too much hunting), on top of the potential AF noise with the 14-150mm. Is it very noisy, by the way? Thanks again

cool review

Does the OMD have a time laps function built into the camera like Nikon ?

I had the 14-150 for 1 year and got tired of the strong red CA problem, blooming of bright subjects, and edge softness at extremes. Bought the the Lumix 12-60mm $175 mint condition and Olympus 40-150mm f4-5.6 ($50) also mint and havent looked back.

Would have been better to have added discussion on image quality differences at wide angle, at 50mm and in between for these lenses.

I bought the Panasonic 14-140 f4-5.8 - nice build quality but heavy. I have the OMD-5 and GX1 - so I was looking for a lens with IS so Olympus not practical with no IS, then, but now I have on order the Panasonic GX7 with in-body IS so looking to replace heavy Panasonic. Now new Pani 14-140 f3.5-5.6 and 240gr but $699 so now looking at the Oly - What is your take on it - should I get it or new Pani or new Tamron 280gr and most likely $699 also, Oly at $599 ?

Have both and use both.

Please see my video about the OM-D sounds, it contains a D700 alongside OM-D. KZfaq doesn't allow posting of links in comments so you need to navigate a little.

I just ordered the Olympus OM-D-EM5 kit. The 12-50mm comes with it. I get the feeling that it is only good for video and the outdoors?

I hear that the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 ASPH. O.I.S.. is better than the Olympus 14-150mm. The review at photozone.de/olympus--four-thirds-lens-tests/682-pana14140?start=2 seems to support this - what is your take ? have you done a comparison between the Olympus and the Panasonic? Would be nice to see what you thougth

I haven't compared the two. The consensus I read is that 14-140 is indeed better in optical quality.

i went ahead and order the whole kit. then there is a promo that if you bundled, the 40-150mm is $99! this is the best camera of 2012 beating the D800

So for a beginner an all round lens would be 12-50mm yeah?

No, but it does have live bulb function.

Thank you very much for this helpful review. Could you please sort the mic and angle and focus on your video this one was painful to watch/listen?

Was the voiceover on this clip read by Steven Hawking??

I have OM-D EM-5 II with Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED ii 14-150mm 1:4-5.6 I can't figure out how to zoom electronically (the opposite of rotating the lenses zoom ring by hand). The camera and the lens are fresh out of the box. Manually, the lens rotates smoothly without any issue. Can you help me?

Just wanted to let you know that the 14-150 is the one that is weather sealed and not the 12-50. :D Even tho the one that extends (14-150) is weather proof, you would think the one that doesnt extend would be as well.

Name one other lens that contains all functions of the 12-50 then you can claim your comment valid.

Actually it does :-)

Yet none of that is even the point because no other lens contains the capability this does AND contains weather sealing in a very small non barrel extending package. I am sure aperture was sacrificed for the capability that makes it more unique than literally any other lens before it.

What is the point of this comparison? Totally different lenses for different uses...

Hi, are you familiar with "photo SFX art" (search on Google for it)? There you can watch a smart free video showing how you can shoot awesome photographs. It made it possible for Joe to shoot photographs which leave you with that wow-effect when you take a look at them. Hopefully it helps you also.

is the 12-50 f 2.5 or f 3.5?

Because we're all made of money after spending a grand on the body alone.

what a total waste of time .... you dont even bother to show actual image samples from either lens to make a comparison .... instead you just go on forever stating the obvious .... DISLIKE

Horrible lenses... stick to 12mm 2.0, 20mm 1.7/25mm 1.4 and 45mm 1.8.

WTF? What a waste of time to watch a video that doesn't make use of being a video (by actually SHOWING stuff) and instead goes on forever showing a still life of the two lenses next to eachother and repeating info that can be seen on any product sheet ("This lens is 14 to 150mm and goes from aperture 4 to blah blah blah). To round it off, whenever a picture other than the still life is shown, the image goes out of focus. How much more beginner and pointless can a video be?