OM SYSTEM Olympus ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Micro Four Thirds Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Third Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

First, a note about some qualities ascribed to this lens by other reviewers. Focusing a lens is mainly the task of the contrast detection system of the body, not the lens. The part where the lens comes into play is the focus motor and focus elements. Complaints about slow focus are mainly the result of the contrast detection system (DSLRs use a phase detection system, which is faster). However, I find that for most shots, this is fast enough. If you want to shoot faster, aim the camera at the area of your subject, and push the shutter button half way down (this will cause it to focus). Then, when you think the subject is ready to shoot, press the button the remaining way down. It will be virtually instantaneous. With regard to the speed of the lens, it is in line with full-range zooms from Tamron, Tokina, and the like. The old axiom "quality, price, speed - pick 2," applies. In this case, Olympus chose a reasonable quality and price - if you want speed (a faster lens), be prepared to spend a lot more. However, the news is not all bad. The Olympus micro 4/3 cameras are capable of very good imaging up to 1600 ISO. So, set your camera to Auto ISO and it will bump the ISO in favor of lower aperture settings to let in more light. Shooting videos with this camera using long focal lengths requires a different technique than one would use with a normal video camera. If one tucks the elbows in against the chest, so that the forearms make an inverted V, the camera can be held steady enough to not have any difficulty with camera shake. As for my own experiences with the lens, I find it wholly acceptable for a full range zoom. Picture quality is better than expected, and the focus motor/elements move reasonably fast for working with contrast detection focus in the body. It is mainly high impact plastic in construction, but build quality is good, and if you're not giving it to apes to use, should last a long time. The actual lens elements are quite good, and for a full range zoom, have little trouble with either distortion or chromatic aberration. I am in Hawaii at the moment and have been very happy with using this as an everyday walkabout lens as I shoot landscapes, movies of my grand daughter playing in the pool, and local flora and fauna.

Description did not mention there is a scratch/crack on the lens as in the attached picture. Please check and have proper description(s) next time. Regards

I have to admit that this review should have been written couple years ago when I have purchased this lens. I have put it on my Olympus EPL-1 and it stays there all the time, unless I use my fish eye lens. I have 14-42mm kit zoom and 40-150mm zoom, but they do not give any advantage in image quality over the subject of this review. This is not a fast lens, but there is no fast super zoom in existence anyway. Overall this is an excellent travel zoom and it indeed traveled with me a lot and to many places. Light weight, good range, good image quality and no need to change lenses in dusty or windy or just uncomfortable environment. I have another super zoom - 18-250mm Pentax lens, and I love it also. It gives just so slightly better image quality with Pentax K01 or DSLR, but the whole alternative solution weighs a lot more compared to 14-150mm zoom. Many times decision on which system to pick went to Olympus ED 14-150mm I never regretted my decision. I highly recommend this lens.

This is a perfect travel lens. It has a range equivalent to 28-300 in film camera terms, yet the lens is small and light. The image quality is great, it focuses very fast (on the Olympus OM-D), and it feels very solid. The focusing ring is buttery smooth, but the zoon ring is a little stiff. Of course, the max aperture is an smallish f/4. That is the compromise you make for the portability and versatility. However, since cameras can now produce good results at ISO 3200, this is less of a concern.

I like the 14-150mm lens a lot even if its not the sharpest Oly lens around. In terms of overall IQ, I think the Panasonic 14-140 is better but it's a monster because of the need for built-in IS and would overwhelm most PEN cameras. Maybe there are some that can live with that but personally I hate having a lens attached that makes the camera feel out of balance. The 14-150 is as light-weight as they come for its zoom range. It feels well balanced on my EPL2. It's also relatively compact. The build quality is pretty good. It's mostly plastic and doesn't really have a "high-end" feel to it. But it doesn't feel flimsy. With the EPL2, photos are acceptably sharp at most focal lengths. Not tack sharp mind you, but not the worst I have seen on a lens with this focal range either. But anytime you have a lens like the 14-150, there will always be some comprimise in terms of sharpness. However, there's something to be said about being able to capture something some distance away vs. having to fumble with changing lenses and potentially missing the shot. And plus, if you shoot RAW, you can always bump up the sharpness post-processing. This lens is also kind of slow but there are really no zooms in this class that are very fast. It should be noted that this lens has no Image Stabilization, so while you can mount it on a Panasonic M 4/3rds camera, it will not be stabilized. Obviously with the Olympus you don't have to worry about that because the image stabilization is built into the body and will stabilize any lens you put on it. One reason why the Olys might be a smarter choice if stills photography is your main priority and you are considering their M 4/3rds cameras over Panasonic's. But overall, a good, very practical and useful lens for PEN cameras.

very nice lens