Wow guys! I am astonished. I honestly never thought that we would ever see a such small Micro Four Thirds zoom lens!!! It’s actually just a bit bigger than the [shoplink 14796]20mm f/1.7 pancake[/shoplink]!!! And you can easily see the powerzoom button on the lens! The lens name is Lumix X 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6. It is an aspherical lens and voilà…it has O.I.S. (Optical Image stabilization!).
I am not a zoom fan but THAT lens could be one of the best news for Micro Four Thirds ever! Compare that tiny zoom with all other kit lenses from Samsung, Sony and whatsoever is coming from Nikon. The Panasonic lens is smaller and has many new features (see powerzoom, OIS, inner focusing and so on!). That is really a revolution more than an evolution. Dear Panasonic, you impressed me! A hug to all Panasonic engineer’s! As you knwo that lens will be announced on Friday along the new 45-175mm lens!
Thanks Ignazio for sending me that. I do not post the link to the source yet as I am sure Panasonic would force them to shut down the site and I want to search for more info first 🙂
378 Responses
Aaaah.
wonder if that’s really plastic-ky or a bit solid feeling.
and the real question, did you see anything at all regarding price?
as long as it does the job right, who cares if its gold, diamonds or a special fungus?
No one has mentioned the position of the rocker zoom button (it’s on the left hand side where the OIS button currently is and they moved the OIS button underneath).
So I have just tested it on my camera in an “imaginary way” and it looks very usable and pratical 😀
Big problem looks like there is no manual focus, but thinking about it I tend not manually focus with the kit zoom anyway but maybe Panasonic will have a on camera solution or it’s integrated into the powerzoom button ((alternative function)maybe there is a patent in their somewhere!).
Can I use it on the NEX-7? Maybe Sony will make an adapter for that. It will be a foot long and weigh 2 kg.
If you use M43 on NEX with adapter, It won’t get any longer at all. But no AF and only ~90% coverage on huge sony sensor.
The NEX E-system has a shorter register distance. So in theory there could be made an adapter. But it would have to be 2mm thick, which is probably difficult to construct.
http://m43photo.blogspot.com/2010/05/future-use-of-mft-lenses.html
That is amazing.
I’ve been against is power zoom idea since the first rumor I read; but after seeing it I think it will sell a lot of cameras for Panasonic, so I’m ok with it…just so long as they keep on making some normal lenses.
It is a thing too. No other way to describe…it. Beautiful, tiny, groungbreaking, everything.
powerzoom should be appealing for those p&s convert. anything that can expand the user base of the system is a welcomed addition.
wow, this hopefully will light a fire under sonys/nikon/pentax butts! That is one hot lens! I wantted to see that tec in a 50mm prime…
Yes. This lens is a great reminder that the lenses make camera system, not bodies.
Would have been twice as nice if it were f3.5-4.5…
At least a little improvement is the speed would be nice 😉
Wonder if it checks any other boxes….
Sharper/microcontrast/ca/vignetting?
Faster focus?
Build quality?
Compatibility with Olympus?
Price?
Is this is kit or upgrade?
I can bet on 3 of those boxex being checked 🙂
The compatibility with olympus – deffinatly
Faster focus – well as fast as current “fast” focus lenses… 99% shaw
Build quality… deffinatly good enough for its intended use… 99% shaw
Roumor says price will be supprizingly good too!!!!
As for IQ… welll they are touting it as a “pro” lens so lets at least hope its equal with oly kit zooms or the older pana kit zoom! – if so there will be nothing to complain about 🙂
The size is impressive but f3.5-5.6 for a 14-42mm zoom is a professional lens? It doesn’t look particularly well made either.
What makes it pro is not the aperture! But:
1) Size
2) Optical quality
3) features (OIS, Powerzoom, inner focusing)
4)….the price 🙂
Admin:
Is that a hint that the price is reasonable? Because if it is, I am soooooo excited!
Or maybe you mean that the HIGH price makes it a pro? In which case, I am sad 🙁
I have no idea about the price. But my guess is that it will be epxensive. But it’s just speculation for now. Hope to get more details soon….
You are probably right about the price. However, if Panasonic prices it too high, it won’t attract the very customers I suspect they are aiming for.
Yeah. let’s hope they are a bit more reasoneable than usual.
That just sounds really dumb to me.
POwer zoom = slow zoom
No MF option
If they price it high, then they are asking for the wallets of enthusiasts. The people who will want that lens are (largely) the P&S upgraders, who will want cheaper.
I dunno — maybe I’m wrong, but I wouldn’t mind seeing power zoom consumer kits, and then good lenses for the rest of us.
Personally, while I’m curious about a GF3 + power zoom kit to fit in my pants pocket, unless it’s like $300-400 total, I’m not spending my money on that.
“power zoom” with no MF is one reason I moved from a Canon G9 to an XTi in the first place!
yes , sometime usability is much more important then the aperture and focal length coverage. Although the powerzoom did not catch the heart of some user , but a tiny pancake lens are always welcome for a tiny system like m43 , it will be a very good match for M43 system
NEX-7 is introduce now , i’m awaiting to see is Pana will announce the GF-Pro (GF-7?) which meet my requirement, If yes , i will go for the GF-7 with this X-Lens.
At this point it looks like a lens for GF3 🙂 Tiny camera and tiny lens. The big question remains – IQ. And also, how fast is this powerzoom
By the way, regarding OIS it’s good to note that it doesn’t use the old and not so good MEGA OIS as the old kit, but the newer and very good POWER OIS. That is also a very welcome upgrade.
How will filters work on something like this?
They don’t. That’s what makes it pro!!!!
(yeah, I’m confused, too)
Wait! There’s 37mm interior thread on that lens. Maybe it screws inside there? But what about a hood???
Ha ha haaaaa
The lens indicate a 37mm filter thread
I think the timing of the leak is perfect. The day or night before the Big Sony release, we see an argument to stay with the small lens pocket system of 4/3rds. I think this is a smart timely leak of a product that I might actually buy with the G3 or GH2 instead of the Nex7
I think you’re right. Clearly a planted “leak”
how do you manually focus that lens though
The second image has a second rocker in view. Maybe that controls it?
Sounds likely.. But there is no more IS switch Again?
And how does it manual focus with that switch? Power manual focus??
…
More pro goodness!
Seems like there is another slide/switch (second photo) which may be for manual focusing. Makes sense since most m43 are focus by wire already anyway.
Very interesting.
Oh my god! It’s just what I want!
I can not believe that it’s a pancake lens. Recently I’m thinking about to buy a zoom lens since I can not shoot a good picture with 20/1.7 during traveling. Before I’m expecting new 12-60 or 12-54. But now I find my target! It’s the new 12-42 pancake. It’s so cute. I love Panasonic!
Waiting for the new toy!
+1
If you can’t shoot a good picture with the 20mm while traveling, a zoom isn’t going to improve a thing. Likely, your pictures will be worse. Better off learning to compose.
+1
If you can’t shoot a good photo wit a standard prime, especially one as good as the 20mm, then it’s not the cameras fault. Some people prefer zooms, and I understand that, but a good photographer should be able to get good results with what tools he/she has.
This looks like a fine lens for the P&S crowd upgraders, and if it comes in a kit, who knows, I may take hiking since it’s so small, but for street/travel I’d rather have your 20mm or even the Olympus 17mm.
Interesting. It is a good concept but why a 14-42 lens at this point? Chances are just about every PEN and G-GF owner already have one (all be it bigger).
In addition, it makes that Sony 14-42 look like an SUV now in terms of size. That lens is overly massive.
“Chances are just about every PEN and G-GF owner already have one (all be it bigger).”
Are you sure? Check ebay and craiglist for how many are on sale there. I’ve sold mine last October and never missed it.
This new lens is not what I’m waiting for, but it’s still great news.
What I do not understand is how it can a PRO lens with no filter mount and no manual focus ring..
pitty if they made it a 12-42mm we would all get one no questions 🙂
Don’t care how much, when can I get it?
This is no doubt a lens aimed at the video market..
There it is. Guess I’m wrong. Lot’s of people clamboring for it. I want to see the quality though. Can you imagine what the images will look like in DCRAW? FISHBOWL! Lots of SW correction on this one!
What’s wrong baby? Why so sad when so many so happy with this?
Lots of guessing by you WT21. Let’s wait for the facts to come out before you crap all over it. I’d rather see a larger and brighter 12-60 but not every lens is for every owner.
Yes. I expect the lens to be pretty crappy. (*) But as long as it is “good enough”, it moves m43 to the next level and (hopefully) heats the mirrorless competition up.
Before, there was that argument that MILCs are still not small enough – because of the lens. Now that argument is crumbling too
Rejoice, WT21. If nothing else, the lens shows that it is possible to make a more compact zoom lens – meaning that it is possible to make a more compact HG/SHG zoom lens too.
(*) MP count of Panny’s cameras is relatively high to accommodate the lens corrections. It would probably loose say 10% percents of the resolution, making out of 16MP file ~14MP but IMO the sacrifice is justified.
And what’s the problem about that? One of the reason I chose m4/3 over NEX, was the “digital” approach of m4/3 lens. I want to see what can be done pushing this approach to the limits… maybe the new 14-42 will give some hints.
I suffer a bit when this approach is criticized because I don’t want to buy the (future) bright zoom two time: first the “Leica” version, then the “X” one.
First, this is an incredible bit of engineering. Kudos to Panasonic. I’m stunned. But this is NOT a lens for professionals. If Panasonic wants to call it that so they can try to justify a huge premium, okay- but it’s just not. This should be the new kit lens.
Wow, what a radical idea for panasonic. I can see how this would be awesome for video. Though if you look at the 2nd image, im really curious on what that second switch is for? ability to turn off Power OIS maybe? I also just noticed the sticker on the side saying “nano surface coatings”. Just awesome.
Sweet lens! Good job Panasonic!
Definitely a video lens. The zoom rocker, OIS, internal focusing, and HD printed on the side of it. I want one with the GF7… and a 45mm Olympus lens in black. I’m saving my money.
I really can see this X lenses as a kit lens for the GH3!!!
I was in doubt about GH3 or NEX-7 – A77 is too big for my needs – and NEX-7 was ahead, since we have no info about the GH3, but now it’s getting interesting, global shutter could seal the deal, for sure.
It does not seem like if there is a focus ring on the lens at all. T and W are control by button?
Impressive, not for everyone, but I can see this being very popular! Can’t wait to see what the telephoto looks like!
There is a whole lot of text on that lens.
whole lot of features
HELL YES!!!!!
I want one now! Cant’ wait to see what the 45-175 is going to look like….
-Olympius
3.5? i was hoping for 2.0.
Why wouldn’t it be a hit?
If everything else is at least equal to the existing bland 14-42mm but is this small and maybe just costs slightly more.
Would’ve been nicer if it were a bit faster too.
Impressive indeed. Really hope there’s a focal length printed markings on the extending barrel or any type of indicator. Also I wish that these next series of panasonic lens & camera would have used the focusing technology of latest olympus to have a full compatibility
my worry is that for panasonic to slim the lens like that, theres massive distortion correction?
We’ll have to wait and see
Holy sh*t! That lens is tiny. Can’t wait to see the 45mm – 175mm zoom. I am very excited by the size but remain skeptical about the optical quality and suspect ‘kit lens’ quality… hopefully for a ‘kit lens’ price.
I bet some of the newer panasonic cameras include a “T” and “W” button on the camera body. Maybe an updated GF3 (GF4?) selling with this lens as the new kit lens.
On a side note, everyone keeps talking about benefits of the power zoom for video. Perhaps for home movies? But does the GH2 audience (real videographers, i presume) really want single speed power zoom?… I imagine it would look quite amateurish.
this will not be single speed power zoom, the rocker will be tactile and responsive (just takes practice), but hopefully Panasonic or third parties have plans to produce remotes (wired or wireless) as an alternative way to zoom (even better if it could be programmed in with variable speed and damping).
It would surprise me if there isn’t something in the lens communication protocol that allows the camera to control the zoom directly without the user having to push any buttons.
im almost impressed , surely the coin sized front element in the lens face proves the potential existed for at least 1\2 a stop better at the wide end
like 2.8 …and a stop or so better at 45mm, say f 4 or at least 4.5
a kit zoom so tiny with a bit of speed would have been game changing , so of course panny didnt do it. its a shame they didnt want to amaze us
but they came close.
I really don’t think these are intended for ‘PRO’ photographers but rather the ‘X’ simply means it’s a ‘crossover’ lens for both photo and video applications.
I suspect you’re right Joe. Few serious vidographers wants to use that rocker switch to zoom. It’s a convenience for the soccer moms. This really should be the new kit lens- it’s very cool and would sell a ton of cameras. But the way Panasonic prices stuff- I have a feeling they’re gonna wanna charge a lot for it.
Good lenses aren’t cheap.
Look at the 7-14mm or the 12mm or the PL25mm or the 14-140mm or the CV25mm.
Who knows how good this lens is? As with the current 14-42mm and as a replacement for it, good enough will suffice. Given it’s tiny size, all it needs do IQ-wise is hit that low bar to be a success.
The fact that Panasonic essentially gives away the 14-42mm doesn’t hurt either. 😉
Brilliant move by Panasonic. Every GF3 and mini Pen owner will want them for the size, point and shoot upgraders are no stranger to rocker zoom, and video enthusiasts will be pleased.
And it will highlight in the most obvious way the size advantage of Micro four thirds over the larger lens competitors.
I think these will sell really well, and thats a good thing. Has me rethinking the GF3
I tried to mimic zoom operation on my 20mm pancake lens and i guess it’s ok, but then the manual focus ring is LOST! that’s a great loss.Also I doubt if the zoom can do in variable speed… basically it’s same design of lens with those built-in lens in compacts….
Well, I’m sure it will be a nice lens for many people. Be better if it were faster etc, but then again, it does have OIS so lets not get too critical of it.
Thing is, I just wish Panasonic would spend the development funds on improving the DR of the 4/3 sensors before spending it on making existing lenses more compact…
Panasonic said they next said they are currently work on dynamic range (not that I have any complaints).
Very interesting. The size is amazing, especially if the optical quality is there. Not sure how the serious still photographers will take to the power zoom or the (apparent) lack of manual focus, but I won’t knock it until I know more. At least some of the video folks should be very happy.
I could see this as a kit lens, though not sure what for. Depending on pricing (which probably relates to build quality) it could be a compact entry lens for upcoming G and GF models, or maybe a step below the 14-140 as a kit with the GH1. Given the emphasis on size, I’m betting on the former.
Be interesting to see it side-by-side with the latest Oly kit lens.
I personally prefer olypmus version of kit lens. the collapsible design keep the size down and remain full control of manual zoom and MF…
Panasonic’s new design have no real control of zoom/MF, by press the W/T bottom… it’s just like a cheapy compact DC.
That a new and radical concept for an interchangeable zoom lens,..i have no wonder if other companirs would do the same thing for their system (sony/samsung). I presume a powerzoom lens like this will drain more emergy to camera body,.. Poor G3 with poor baterry life will suffer the most with this lens,.. I wish panasonic concern about this baterry isue,..eventhough its just a small problem
Well, size looks amazing, but I’m really bored.
Panasonic has yet to come with a decent portrait lens, and a decent wide, and a stabilized “normal”. And instead it keeps re-iterating the very same 14-42 zoom. Sure smaller, so what?
They should have made a small 10mm or at least 12mm instead. They should have made a OIS into the 20mm, instead. Or a serious OIS small portrait, instead of the macro panaleica, which isn’t a portrait at all. Or a body with IBIS and even smaller lenses. Or a better sensor. I guess I’ll wait for Nikon, although I don’t have much hope in it either.
You shouldn’t need OIS at 20mm or wider unless you have really shaky hands, otherwise it won’t make any visible difference to your photos…
what about video?
again not really needed at the wider end, also Mirrorless and DSLRs are easier to keep stable when shooting hand held also aftereffects and other software do an amazing job at removing all but the most extreme camera shake…
I politely disagree with you.
1) OIS for 20mm would be very welcome for low light situations and static subjects. It would allow you to have at least 2 stops slower shutter speed, and 2 stops less ISO gain. In my book that’s huge. I guess that’s the exact reason I see myself buying an oly body in the future, for stabilizing all my primes.
2) Have you actually shot video without IS? I have, and even using the panny 14mm (wide angle), I could see the video quality improving by having stabilization.
IS is a huge thing to have in certain situations…and it makes even more sense for m43, due to its inherent “need” for light given the (somewhat) smaller sensor size…there’s nothing like having more real photons instead of ISO gain…
1. I can shot practically in the dark with the Leica 25mm, 20mm shouldn’t be too much different, lots of examples on my flickr btw I also own an Olympus which I use for the OIS when shooting telephoto with my Olympus 70-300mm
2.Yes I have, lots of examples on my youtube and vimeo in dark nightclubs and on streets at night.
OIS isn’t going to make much difference until 40mm+ if you have good technique and glass
Good hand held technique is the feature most are missing. Sure, it takes a little time and practice to learn, not just the press of a button, but is an invaluable skill.
Crazy! Certainly no shortage of interesting developments for m43. It’s been an incredible year so far!
Great. Now build bright zooms!
Looks to be a real hit but at what cost?
The convergence between compact and larger sensor ILC is closing in yet again.
Come to think of it, it may be a publicity stun on the verge of Sony’s announcement as discuss in the interview with vb how these leaks operate 😉
I am not at all wowed, as long as i don’t have test results and sample images. I only have to see the product picture to sense this lens is a vignetting bitch.
Looks awesome but I’m sure that image quality is going to take a real hit. Everyone should wait for reviews of these lenses before they get too excited. I can’t imagine that the image quality will be anything but a let down. The main driving factor for buying this lens will be size. How much image quality are you willing to give up?
as long as its as good as current kit lens it will be ok… just look at how convinient it is…. worth 1 pixel of CA and a 0.2% loss of sharpness!
A shrunk consumer-grade zoom, and another source of corrected RAWs. Nah…
I really can´t understand why people are so excited over this. I see only problems:
1) f/3.5-5.6 -> where are the bright zoom lenses, panny?
2) power zoom -> no motor can be as good as manual, mechanic zoom.
3) Lens hood? Come on, as nice as pancake lenses are, the lens hood is better.
4) I see P&S quality allover this. Actually better to get a small, fast-aperture P&S camera than this piece of engineering.
IMO, after GF1, Panasonic has lost it. Too much drive towards consumer markets when they should not forget professional users. Olympus hasn´t, as their couple of latest products show (12mm, 45mm and EP3).
btw: I have three Panasonic lenses (14mm, 20mm 14-15mm) and one olympus lens (12mm f/2). It seems I won´t be getting any additional Panny stuff in the future, instead I have 45mm f/1.8 on preorder and will jump to EP3 as soon as I have the funds for it.
I feel this strongly because I expected more of Panasonic, not less.
1. bright zooms are on the way probably in 2+ versions one for pro photographers and then some for pro videographers using AF100 (and not just from Panasonic)
2. power zoom can be really good and can be programmed with variable speed and damping.
3. Doesn’t look like it will need a lens hood as the front element is set further in.
4. Wait for the samples before making judgement…
You´re maybe right on the 4., but still.. I just don´t have high expectations on this, as I didn´t have on GF2 & GF3, both of which were a step down from GF1 IMO. In the case of GF3, a leap down, because it doesn´t have accessory hotshoe anymore.
I think you should not underestimate the ergonomics: knobs and wheel kick touchscreen everytime, as will mechanical zoom ring when compared to power zoom switch. I don´t know about videography, but I suppose even there mechanical constructions (built on top of normal zoom rings) give more accurate control than any motor.
I use both, Sony and Panasonic camcorders have had rockers for years, I imagine this rocker will be responsive and tactile…
It’s easier to control your chosen speed of the zoom with a rocker and to keep the camera steady when hand held than doing by manual focus ring when filming.
Will miss zoom burst shots possibly 🙁
What you’re saying about having the camera steady is true. Rockers are much better when shooting video, as you don’t need to turn your hand while changing focal length, and also allows you to maintain proper grip.
1) I’ll buy you a beer if there’s a bright zoom before 2013 🙂
2) How do you expect to program the power zoom on this lens? Firmware updates to the camera? Which camera? How about Oly cameras? Do you know if this lens even WORKS on an Olympus? Also, it’s another way to suck the life out of the batteries.
3) Correct, hoods are for people who don’t use CPLs 😉
4) I somehow think Panasonic hasn’t managed to rewrite the laws of physics… I wouldn’t expect anything great, just standard kit zoom quality, with a ton of software corrections.
1. just one beer? 😀
2. I’m thinking future models eg GH3, AF100 replacement (introduce infra red/blue tooth etc) or via the remote/mic socket as on the GH1 and GH2 thats how my intervalmeter and remote cable shutter work.
4.with a tonne of software corrections but it’s the final image that counts so does it matter if it is in camera software correction?
btw micro four thirds specification added 2 more contacts to the lenses over four thirds, maybe we now know why?
see 3, obectives (3) http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/whitepaper.html
I’ll take a punt on that – 2013 – somone will have a bright zoom by then 🙂 f2.8 at least! maybe oly maybe pana maybe both… but deffinatly 1 by 2013!
This only makes sense to me as a new kit lens for their GF cameras. IQ is bound to be compromised, f3.5-5.6 is strictly kit territory, it looks cheap and plastic. Has kit written all over it.
If so, and they release a GF-4 with similar features to the E-PL3 and using this lens, what a great economical street photography camera. But its real target would be soccer mom’s who will love it for its truly pocketable take-anywhere size.
Forget the NEX-7, the target would be the higher unit selling C-3 with its clunky 18-55mm kit zoom. This would knock it out of the box.
Under no circumstances would I use lens without possibility to manual focus in street photography! Zone focusing anybody? One of the reasons I got Olympus 12mm (when I already had Pana 14mm) was the excellent manual focusing on the lens barrel: Oly 12mm has a proper distance scale on it!
yeh cus i always carry a tape measure????
Wow! A revolution indeed. Wonder how small 14-140 can be… Panasonic ( and Olympus ) now have to exploit advantage gained by this and fill some other holes in their camera/lens lineup or they’ll be swallowed by APS-C mirrorless competition. Because if 4/3 sensor can have 28-84 mm ( equivalent ) lens this small, then I guess APS-C version won’t be much bigger. The miniaturization war continues 🙂 !
Thom Hogan/Nikon must be choking on their cornflakes this morning.
HaHaHa LOL, not milk for Nikon maybe 😀
And why would that be?
If you look at the size and shape of the new compact zoom pancake it almost looks designed for the GF3 and GF2 in mind given their rounded tops matching the outer lens dimensions of this lens!
I think the pro simply means that Pany will go back to using metal rather than plastic mount for this X series but price should not be too high to be for kit lens.
As for the power zoom requiring too much power for a small battery note that the Pany patent for the new camera maybe the GF7 showed a substantial grip with room for a much bigger higher capacity battery. Also body depth was greater with swivel screen so more room for EVF to avoid as much overhang as the NEX7 has.
As for no zoom ring others have commented that there is a second toggle on the zoom presumedly for manual operation of fly by wire focus separate from the power zoom.
Photography wise people/soccer moms tend to use the power zoom just 2-3 times in a scenario, they are not going back and forth maybe a journalist or wildlife photographer would in a very active situation…
Maybe the power zoom lever has an alternative function to work with manual focus too (my patent pending)as you would not use both at the same time.
Well, no zoom ring, so this is already a no-no.
But this lens doesn’t have even a manual focus ring! Bye-bye, manual focus? Or there are also some buttons for that?
Although I cannot negate that it’s a huge technology step, I’m deeply disappointed…
Oh You are right, I totally forgot about manual focus. Good point!
Phantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Small pocketable lens is good, but I prefer a faster, brighter lens, even if it is a little bigger.
In low light situation, will I get a better handheld image with this lens on M43 camera or a LX5/XZ-1?
Wouldn’t one of those smaller fixed lens zoom camera be better for the size?
zoom lever and manual focus lever? hopefully not slow operations…
omg, now you can buy a system camera (g3) with absolutely “just kompakt kamera” use. brrrrr
wow,it is smalll 🙂
wishful thinking:as they could make kit zoom this small they should make bright zoom as big as the present kit zoom!
but,why is that nano something coat logo there? I smell pricey lens
if this is what you consider is professional… professional soccer mom maybe lol
Totally!
cus profetionals always shoot MF @ F2 – thats how you know it pro 🙂
maybe a little Snoby!
WOT?! NO OIS SWITCH? HOW CAN WE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY?!!!!11
Just kidding.
I still own a gf1 and 20mm lens. I will never touch panasonic again. The new lenses are a cruel joke, the jpegs are garbage and they don’t even have dedicated software for post.
yeh they leave that to Adobe….
* Leica cooperates with Panasonic in order to design compact system camera lenses having small sizes, including O.I.S.
* Zeiss cooperates with Sony, but their mirrorless lenses are what it seems 24x36mm incarnations, causing the lenses to be humongous and O.I.S. are unfortunately rare here.
If the goal with mirrorless is reduced size and weight, Panasonic/Olympus seems to have found the right priorities here.
Now curious to see what Nikon is up to.
I say Olympus has the right priorities, Panasonic has lost it when they push M43 cameras more and more towards P&S ergonomics.
Is the GF-3 really more P&S ergonomics than the EPL-3 and EPM?
No the company who gets the best features (no matter what there origin) is doing the best!
power zoom is somthing the small cams have and big cams lack…
not having a power zoom is somthing the big cameras have and the small cameras lack!
Power zoom is a plus any way you cut it – unless you want to make a video that zooms in and out realy realy fast – in – out -in -out -in -out…. apart from that, I think a power zoom it a plus!
Oh and If nasa could make rockets 5ft tall they would – being big is not pro – only if you feel like you need your equipment to do the talking!
you should be able to do a slow zoom through to a relatively fast zoom depending on the pressure you put on the rocker
yep, I love the push to smaller size with the big M43 sensor.
Has anybody noticed the small print: minimum focus distance is only 20cm (compared to 30cm for the current kit zoom). If this is right it may not be a true macro lens, but it could be good enough for some people’s needs…
Also: any clue whether ‘power OIS’ is better than ‘mega OIS’? And how much ‘power’ it needs from our already struggling batteries?
Guys, since when anyone official mentioned that this is targeted to professionals except 4/3 rumours?
If ones doesn’t like it, they can go back to the older incarnation of the standard zooms by all means.
If one prefer bright zoom, and are still complaining after all these times I think they should just chill out and take some good pictures with what they have. I think most people here would not take better picture with a bright zoom compared to a small prime anyway.
err.. how about G & GH series..?
I am just specifically talking about this lens in particular.
Lastly the end of the advanced compact like g11 lx5 p7000
Is coming to the end. I have bee asking myself for years why they could not build such a lens if you think the leica cover full frame.
I see no reason to buy those camera any more.
Gf2 + this lens
Is a much better combination than any compact
I can see only camera like the s95 as survivor now
Fantastic!
Sony introduces new NEX cams, with the few NEX lenses staying bulky, while Panasonic introducing new much smaller lenses …
Someone should wipe egg from Sony’s (virtual) face. 😉
I just ordered the 25mm leica and was considering to buy the 14mm pancake to save space and have wide angle. this thing is going to replace both the 14 pancacke and the zoom lens. I don’t care for slow zoom or manual focus (i have the 25 for that), i do care for image quality and hope it will be good.
also I can’t wait to see how small is the 45-175, that is going to be groundbreaking!
haha, you ordered the leica 25 and don’t care about the image quality?
great
“i DO care for image quality”
peter what did you read? i wrote I DO CARE for image quality not for fast manual zooming. and that nano coating label (the same that is on the 25mm) looks like this lens a good quality one.
If that is still good glass, I am impressed. This sure honors “small” in the system.
I believe this revolution is the new tech of “liquid” lens.
Please google “liquid lens” and inform yourself of this new tech before you jump into false conclusions, misguided by the limits of old tech.
This is early days of a new lens revolution, further refinements will come in the months ahead as this new tech gets optimised. So you’ll see brighter lens, negligible power consumption, low manufacturing costs allowing low price but good profit margins…
The true “pros” will avail themselves of new tech and better ways of doing things because they need every edge they can get to beat the competition. Only sad wannabes
goes for manual hand jobs perpetually waxing their carrots to oblivion. 😉
M43 will prevail over APS-c because new techs like global shutter, BSI or even quantum dots sensors will come to M43 faster than it ever will to APS-c
So stay informed and happy waxing. 😉
+1
i would like to think its liquid tech but i doubt it,…. possibly ceramic lens elements – giving grater refractive index?
So, where’s the manual focus ring? Gone? Again sacrificed for the sake of pocketability?
Sorry, but the miniaturization race goes to far, it has to stop!
well you can choose, you want small you choose this one, you want it big you choose the old one
I am really just..WOW about this! This is really great! Good work Panasonic! BUT, you should have fixed your crappy sensors first. You should have gone to Sony for sensors years ago. Actually, all the excitement i felt when I first saw the pictures has now faded as I realise that theres no good sensor to use this zoom-pancake on.
Wow! You actually noticed that M4/3 sensors are marginally smaller than APS-C sensors! Maybe there’s ana awRd for that somewhere. 😉
I suspect you’ve never used a GH2 or G3.
Good job Panny on images leak 😉
Now I can only hope you put multi aspect sensor in GF7.
I’m getting very interested in 45-300 HD OIS project so keep the leaks comin’.
Also don’t forget you owe 😉 us some nice:
1. 3rd pancake
2. 70/2.5 OIS and/or longer macro OIS
very interesting.. clearly inspired by point and shoot zoom cameras but if the the image quality is right – who cares!
i’de take a mild hit on IQ just for convinence shooting as a cary anywhere cam…
I mean when does every pixel matter? A4 covers don’t use evey pixel so i could be happy with good enough… which is waaay better than pro spek from 2004….
It comes down to optical quality.
If it’s as good as the panny 14-45 (best kit lens so far) optically, then I may consider giving up manual zoom and focus for the compactness.
I will not compromise optical quality though…
EP-3, 12/2, 20/1.7, 25/1.4 & 14-45
+ (how many zeroes in a zillion? 😉 )
Optical quality, yes. I’d never give up manual primes for this, but I could certainly see scenarios where an insanely compact zoom like this could be very useful. Or simply for a small, secondary camera, like a GF3 or EPL3, where just having a good camera and flexible lens with you is more important than carrying you best camera and lens.
12?
If it was up to me I would implement a kind of „click and turn” fly-by-wire ring beside the powerzomm button – which would operate either as zoom ring or focus ring.
this is a very good idea!
Wow I never thought this was possible. I can’t believe they made the zoom a pancake. This does change things. I will definitely be buying this lens. Selling my 45-200mm right now. It will be essentially worthless after Friday.
Where does the lens cap go? It doesn’t look like it has any threads on the front?
I hope it will have a much better lens cap. the one from the curren 14-42 cannot stay on the lens for more than 2 sec…
+100
Even though I don’t see it I hopeit’s there because there is a 37mm thread print on the lens.
@mpgxsvcd — looks like the outer (rear) barrel, which the front barrel presumably retracts in to, has some rings around its perimeter. Could serve as a capture feature for the cap… if they have some way to keep the lens from extending when the cap’s on.
It comes down to optical quality.
If it’s as good as the panny 14-45 (best kit lens so far) optically, then I may consider giving up manual zoom and focus for the compactness. It would make a great pocket lens for an E-P or GF
I will not compromise optical quality.
It comes down to optical quality.
If it’s as good as the panny 14-45 optically, then I may consider giving up manual zoom and focus for the compactness. It would make a great pocket lens for an E-P or GF
I will not compromise optical quality.
No, it comes down to if theres a good sensor to use the lens on, and today there isnt.
The Panasonic sensors in DMC-G3 & DMC-GH3 (multi aspect) has both resolution and high enough ISO performance for most still imaging needs.
Also remember that video is only progressive scan (50/60Hz) 1920×1080 pixels = 2 073 600 total amount of pixels.
Lol. The 4/3 sensors are more than good enough. The lenses are very good to. It comes down to the total package of sensor, processor, lenses, user-interface ect ect. To think that photography is only about the sensor is ridicules. Probably you are a Sony-fanboy.
I think it comes down to the vibe…
probably? I’d say for sure…
Danonino have you ever tried a G3 of GH2?
Shit! It kills me to read that my GH-2 is not good enough
*snif* I am sad now
Lol. People (mostly Sony users) keep telling me that my E-PL1 is outdated and that I need a new NEX. The are telling me that it’s sensor is superb. But when the show me there pictures they are proud of i don’t see the big deal about NEX. No, I will keep shooting with my E-PL1 and will look for a new Olympus body next year or even later. I love the m4/3 format because its total package is small, not only the body. I do like my cheap and small 40-150mm lens. And I want to see more of Panasonic’s X line of lenses. Choices thats what m4/3 is all about.
sensors is one part of IQ. Sony made great low-light, high dynamic range sensors, but screw up all of this with poor lenses and not so great jpeg engines 😉
I hear you. If it wasn’t for my growing desire for video, I would still be with the G1 which gave a fair share of keepers. I got to admit that I dig the higher ISO, now that I have it 🙂
People should get a hold of themselves. Extremely rarely will anyone ever ask you : “Wow! With what camera did you shoot that?” and if you are not out there shooting because you are yapping in all forums against a brand that you don’t even own, no one will ever ask you that question. Besides, this quest for the be all end all of gear, when in the hand of forum crawlers, it is never about photography.
I mean, I read and even participate in this forum because I use m43, I like m43 and I like to know whats new. No need to bash Sony or anyone else for that matter. If anyone is not convinced about m43, why would he participate? Why? To educate the planet? This is beyond my understanding!
Hey, I’m a Sony user.
Shoot with what makes you the happiest. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with your E-PL1 if you’re constantly using it.
If I won the lottery I would shoot with all sorts of brands 🙂
If you will not compromise optical quality…why are use using a zoom? 🙂
Very good point mate 🙂
just sayin 😉
Shhh*+* gonna wait to watch some tests, the 14-45’s are already like in 50 pounds on ebay lol. this is definitely one of the most volatile markets!! somebody should do an study, looks like some kind of planned obsolescence.
impressive..is the pancake size only true during power off mode? the 2nd image is prob the max size. still alot more compact then the olympus 14-42 it seems. If they incorporated something like a ceramic element here, what if the whole group was made of that?
Being small when packed away is the main thing – I find with my oly kit zoom, its the size in storage that matters not when in use – so if this lens is only small in storage that is ok by me – and I bet for most this is the main goal!
If the whole group was made with ceramic elements the lens would be very expensive.
There will be optical compromises, hard to squeeze so many elements into such a small space.
The question will be how many compromises have been made!
They could leave out things that can be done in software making use of a design element of mFT.
I previously saw this on my phone leaving a comment, but this news is so exciting for me that I’ve got to leave another comment but this time via my computer :p
This reallydoes make the bridge to compact cameras. It will disappoint the “large aperture manual focus at all costs” brigade but I can accept this if I can have a good quality pocket zoom. I am sure the Nikon mirrorless will have been designed to achieve pocketability, but it looks like mft has got there first and with a larger sensor.
Now wouldn’t it be interesting if Panasonic made a 50mm f1.8 OIS X lens? It could be the same size as the 20mm pancake!
I’m one of those large aperture manual everything dudes, but this thing looks great. How much you wanna bet this replaces the current kit lens?
2 crucial questions…
How GOOD is it?
How MUCH is it?
I may not buy one, but a lens like this is absolutely fantastic news for the M4/3 platform! Bundle it with a GF3 and it could destroy the NEX-C3!
My questions EXACTLY. I am very skeptical on both of those points, quality and cost.
It looks a little hinky already as there are no filter threads…Reminds me of a point-and-shoot lens. I am not holding my breath..I like quality glass as well. If the 45-175mm is decent it would be a nice trick in a lightweight bag… but these lenses have the smell of consumer quality…nothing more. Like kit lenses for the GF3, maybe. More will be revealed.
it suits GF3 i think!!
when GF3 was announced, i thought it’s too small and i prefer to use it with pancake lenses only (14/2.5 and 20/1.7). Kit lens was too big for GF3 in my opinion.
but now everything change!!!
ps. anyway, i still hope they will continue the old style lenses too.
Holy… that’s tiny.
HOLY SHIT!! i neeeeeed it!!!
I’m seeing panasonic trying to redefine the interchangable lens for the future. And pana means it seriously (see the X label)…
Hehe … this is really tiny. I honestly didn’t think Pana could deliver like that. So let’s see about the price. This is what it comes down to. The aperture isn’t that bright (but that’s not something Pana claimed), so it shouldn’t be that expensive – since Pana is marketing this thing straight to users of the smaller models anyway. So it makes sense, too, to not include a manual zoom ring, since most Upgrades are used to autofocus and power zoom anyway. If the AF performs really well.
This looks like a great lens for video.
Remember the film Olympus stylus with full frame 35 f2.8 lens, how small was that prime ? (By the way I would love a digital full frame equivalent of that camera) The huge lenses of today are the result of autofocus motors, electronics and the need for telecentricity for digital sensors. The actual glass size remains the same. I find this new design a very good idea for m43and I might get one for my Pens even though I hate Panasonic products.
We might lose manual focus but imaging the EPM-1 with that lens( let alone the GF3), it could be smaller than a Canon G12, LX5 or XZ-1. If the price as a kit is right it has the potential to sell like hot cakes.
On the other hand if it costs more than 400 dollars-euro it would be to expensive for point and shooters and not desirable for advanced users ( assuming it is Kit quality glass)
I think the days of the advanced compacts are numbered.
> Remember the film Olympus stylus with full frame 35 f2.8 lens, how small was that prime ?
Important word is exactly that prime.
It’s lot easier to correct all various lens aberrations for fixed focal length than for zooms, besides film being more forgiving than high pixel density digital sensors.
And that combination of film size, flange back distance and focal length was probably optimal for allowing smallest lens size.
Maybe we dont loose MF – maybe the zoom rocker could be set to focus or zoom adjust! – that way you can still set both manualy (all be it in a slightly diffrent way to normal)….
On the 2nd photo, we can see one rocker with the ‘W’ ‘T’ for the Powerzoom and a 2nd rocker… I think this is the (power) manual focus rocker. no?
… or the OIS deactivation… 🙁
My bet would be OIS deactivation, but what do I know…:-)
VARIO… It says VARIO which means usually a varifocal lens not a zoom. It makes sense with power “zoom” and small size of course. I guess there are 2-3 focal length settings between end points.
-p-
all lumix zoom lenses are called vario
Oh boy, so true… Anyway, I was kind of hoping it is varifocal.
Aren’t all zooms varifocal? Isn’t that the whole point?
No, some zooms are parfocal.
I think Pekka got a bit confused and actually wanted a parfocal zoom 🙂
I think he meant just what he said: 2-3 focal length settings between end points. Like couple of separate primes instead of one smoothly zooming lens. But clearly this doesn´t seem to be the case.
Yup. A varifocal zoom needs to be re-focused when the focal length is changed. The panasonics do the re-focusing automatically when you zoom in or out, so you don’t really notice this easily. Parfocal zooms don’t need re-focusing when zooming. Varifocals are easier to design, and apparently parfocals are getting more rare. I used parfocal zooms in the 70’s, when they made much more sense because everything was manual.
Yes and no. The terms may seem the same at first but there is a difference. In past years some “zoom” lenses were described as varifocal because they did not maintain focus as you zoomed, you had to adjust focus after zooming. I think they pretty much died out in the 70s/80s as lens design continued to improve. A number of manufacturers have used “vario” in their descriptions of true zooms (i.e. ones that do maintain focus when zoomed).
If that is true I WILL get that lens regardless of price. A tri-elmar equivalent for m43. Actually I would love for all zoom lenses to behave like that.
Zoom is detrimental for composition (if you do not have discipline) that is why generally people take better photos with primes (not talking about low light in which a prime is essential)
Price is not so bad. Will post that soon 😉
admin
any word whether it can be manually focused (via the zoom rocker maybe?)
great work on getting the “leaked” images and info 😀
No idea 🙂
We need to know about availability and kit policies.
Which bodies?
Vromopodarix: It really depends. If you don’t have the freedom to change your location, a zoom beats a bag full of primes. For example, if I’m shooting from the audience, I can’t change what seat I’m sitting in, but a zoom would allow me to compose the picture in the camera to suit the image that I have pre-visualized (rather than doing it later in post processing by cropping). When I’m shooting performances, I often times alternate between a tight close up on the performer I am interested in, and a wider shot to capture all of the actors on stage, and an even wider shot to capture the audience watching the production.
Or when I’m on a whale watch, there is no way I can get out of the boat to get to a different location. On a rolling boat, it is rather tricky to change lenses, and even so, the whale is generally only at the surface for a short period of time.
For most users, what a prime does is force them to slow down and compose the shot. But you can do the same with a zoom as with a prime. It just takes effort.
“not talking about low light in which a prime is essential”
Unless you have the Oly 14-35mm or 35-100mm F2 zooms 🙂
Well, it looks familiar to p&s, but when I upgraded from p&s I wanted more hands-on control, not “the same as before”
So it doesnt appeal to me from an upgrade point of view, but rather from a downgrade point of view – turning the m4/3 into a compact when I want.
I still carry my compact at all times just in case and use m4/3 when I purposefully go out to take pictures. However, this should mean final farewell for the compact.
I completely agree, when I am out shooting professionally I have one camera with a prime and one with a zoom. But I shoot m43 for myself as I think the majority of m43 users do too.
Although I do use use m43 with legacy primes when shooting theatre professionally (low light of the EP1 is not that great). A DSLR is out of the question in theatre, I remember once a little kid next to me who thought I was eating chips because of the noise of the mirror.
great another 14-42, exactly the focal lenght which was missing in the lineup
i going to read some sony news now…
SMASHING!
Ofcourse its a great breakthrough to shrink zoom lenses to that size. If I hadn’t any mft lenses yet, this would be really interesting. But I already have lenses which cover that focal range with similar slow apertures. So the “X” doesn’t really stand for the expected Pro lenses with a constant fast aperture. It just means “X-tra” small. Ofcourse I can still use fast third party lenses and focus manually. But I like auto-focus and wish Panasonic would produce more fast lenses, no matter what size.
Great work – perfect fit for the GF3 conecpt.
But I wonder how manual focusing will be done with it.
Also still waiting for the 12-50/2.5-3.3 …
Hacky:
If you want to manually focus the lens, you buy another lens. I would imagine if you poll all of the micro 4/3rds users and not just the self selected ones that hang out in these forums, you would find the great majority never manually focus. This lens caters to them.
When I was buying my E-P2, one of multiple reasons I went for E-P2 over the Panasonic cameras at the time was the size of the kit zoom lens, particularly when the camera is turned off. I put the Panny’s next to the E-620 and they had no size advantage.
In my setup, I could use this lens for video shooting, assuming the IS worked on Olympus cameras. I also have a specialized use where the internal focusing would be useful (I disguise my camera as a bellows camera from the 1930’s, and when I’m using the E-P2, the lens often times has problems with focusing, due to fitting in a tight setup). But I suspect, I probably won’t buy it, since I already have the Olympus 14-42mm and 14-150mm lenses that cover the range.
Im fairly shaw the IS will work on Oly cams…. it does on the now older/normal size pana zooms!
I got to admit with my only AF lens (kit zoom) I use MF maybe once in a mounth… maybe… I run alot of old OM lenses and that is all MF, but If they could AF I would probably use it! – I mean how often do people stop and get the light meater out now days?…. AF is not cheeting its just another tool…. and a bloody good one too now days!
Looks good might be good for digiscoping. I hope its not like £1000-£2000 knowing Panasonic they will kill you with the price. I do like Panasonic lol its just they waste tallent.
Imho too slow for digiscoping.
Also not that easy to mount due to in & out movement.
It made today’s sony announcement so boring and outdated – perfect Panasonic marketing. I was to buy nex-5n but I’ll wait for 1080 60p small body from panasonic
yes 1080 60p is what we need in all future m43 cams…. the other video formats be damded!
IMHO this lens is mostly attractive to GF3 users.
I wouldn’t miss manual zoom. Motor-driven zoom will never be as fast and most importantly accurate as doing it manually. Also, that lens does not offer any way to focus manually. For those reasons, I am not interested at all. I like the approach of Olympus better with collapsible zoom lenses.
It’s still a good thing though as Panasonic can now sell the GF3 effectively.
Dunno if that’s the case.
I’m looking for a more compact camera to complement (but not replace) my DSLR, and I wrote off NEX (despite being a Sony user) because of their big @ss lenses. While I like the M43 pancakes, the kit zoom was still too big for my liking.
After seeing this lens, I think I’ll keep M43 on my short list. This lens on any of the m43 bodies is a much better alternative for me than a P7100 or G12.
Too slow for video ?
If it allows for zoom presets it may be just about usable for video as a replacement for a number of primes for run’n’gun work.
But without focus ring for manual follow-focus then forget it. You can’t touch the LCD whilst viewing thru EVF or Zacuto.
If there are zoom presets that would be amazing.
Then have a dedicated button to cycle through.
Hopefully there will also be a fast zoom with this tech 🙂
Wow, this is a great all-around lens, especially if one wants smallest form factor with “big” sensor.
most of the time when walking around i left the 14-45 at home and only took the GF1 with 20mm pancake to be able to put it into a jacket-pocket, but sometimes i was missing the wider angle as well as the short tele in some cases.
i am wondering why anyone would like to manually focus an AF-lens? i never ever tried to manually focussing any of my lumix-lenses. it is another story with manual lenses like voigtländer or old adapted lenses.
i really look forward to trying out this lens and i hope it will be of similar quality like the 14-45.
Why would you ever manual focus with an AF lens? One example…
Shooting a bird in a tree. AF keeps focussing on the leaves around the bird. Assuming you have AF+MF activated, hold down the shutter button and focus on the bird manually.
I can’t tell you how many shots I’ve managed to “save” in this way.
or use your touch screen and autofocus exactly on the bird’s eye,
or better tap to focus and shot!
this is what these lenses are made for. if you are confortable in manual focusing you don’t buy them. YOU HAVE A CHOICE. 😉
Or the old method for camera without touch screen: central af, half press to lock focus and recompose.
Or use the ultimate shooting bird tools :
http://policelink.monster.com/products/products/1030-remington-30-06-semi-automatic-rifle-
😉
+1
I hate to miss a shot:
http://www.hk-usa.com/military_products/hk416_general.asp
😉
@Steve H … Try not to be so literal. 😉
shooting a bird in a tree with a 45 mm lens?
Just to add, I’ve recently had to use manual focus to shoot very dark shots where the AF really struggles.
I do find this zoom lens strangely appealing, if the price is right I may pick one up for my GF1.
I do not understand those negative opinions – this is an option – first pancake zoom for big sensor. Perfect for holidays, trips. And it has OIS as well. OIS big sensor (yes, big) zoom in the pocket – and you criticize it..
Thank you Panasonic
Amen to that.
Let me just say this.
IT’S FUCKING HOT!!!!
Both outside, inside and also the lens is FINALLY something what would allow me to proclaim that MILC started growing legs of its own. Heck, on a whim I might buy G3 with the lens. OK, it’s a mediocre standard zoom, but wtf it’s so small!!!
Take that, Pentax Q!
A good idea to make the GF series effectively more compact.
2 questions:
Any word on power consumption?
Where did the “Pro” label come from?
This is amazing news, Panasonic. Now its time to dump my old, clunky 14-42mm kit lens 😐
By the way.
How interesting that almost nobody (just a single person) have asked for fast(er) focus speed so far. 0.1 seconds or even better would be a breakthrough deal for a normal zoom kit lens…
I guess everyone expects it to focus fast like the 14-140 or the 12mm (with GH2/EP3)…. I get a feeling thats gonna be the norm from now on… lets hope!
WHAT IS THIS WITCHCRAFT
ARE PANASONIC WIZARDS?
I LUV CAPS LOCK, TOO!
Now I’m hoping the Pen Mini comes body only. Which it won’t.
Maybe not in the big shops, but the smaller ones, here in the Netherlands where I live, always find a way of selling a body only option.
~crosses fingers for decent optical quality~
Yeah… this. Now that it seems ‘X’ might mean “extending”, rather than some magic optical formula, I sure hope the lens performance is complimentary to the overall M4/3 performance envelope. Which is to say, that Goldilocks-like “just right” middle ground between compacts and full-SLR systems.
BTW, kudos to Panasonic based on what we know of this lens so far. I think there’s a big market for it, and it’s a strong addition to the M4/3 system. I hope I’ll be adding one to my G3.
From now on even primes should have power zoom! 😀
I find it funny to read how some people over react to see innovative concepts such as these. I remember years ago from old forums that oly e330 live view is only a gimmick not needed by pros, so are the HD video on SLR, the collapsible lenses like oly 14-42 & so on…. Technology & innovation are innevitable, everything is evolving. Accept it or hide in your cave 🙂
+1 People hate change.
Will those lenses work on Olympus bodies? No? Thought so.
Why wouldn’t they?
They likely will, that seems to be one area where the m43 standard does actually hold.
Now they should release 40/1.8 in pancake size 🙂
+1 🙂
Hope the quality of this is good, otherwise it looks like we’re back with point and shoot cameras (only with interchangable lenses). However, can’t deny the fact that it steals the show with it’s size!
That automatic zoom could be handy in some situations with shooting video but I prefer manual zoom.
This is great! If they could stick 1080/24P in a GF2-body then I would be stoked. I love my GH2, but I still feel like it’s a hair too big to be my everywhere-cam. A GF2-like camera paired with this lens and the video quality of a GH1/2 would be the killer everyday-cam for me.
no we don’t want that stroby ruff 24p – who r u – speilburg… making for cinima?
No what we want is 60p or more 🙂
lol! you obviously don’t know anything about cinema and film. 24fps is best to get the film-like “feel”.
Ooo! A new PEN E-PL3 with this lens would be sweet…
The small form factor of the newest MILCs is gonna push the likes of the G12 out of existence and require the S95 class P&S to step up for the current price.
Regardless, we all win!
Amazing. If I would have know about this a year ago when I bought my E-pl2 I would have waited. I went with the oly because of the collapsable lens. Put that lens on the panasonic small bodies in Best Buy and they will literally sell like hotcakes. Wow
Woohoo, another slow ass kit zoom, just what we needed! Now if it was a 8-17 4.0 that could take filters, then they would have something. With Sony coming out with the built in viewfinder on the Nex 7, it makes Pany look rather pitiful, in my opinion. Pany should have followed up with the GF1 with a viewfinder model, but now Fuji and Sony beat them to the punch and I suspect it will cost them dearly in months to come. Pany is starting to act like the other gimicky camera brand “Olympus.” Might be time to move on.
Yes, please!
G3 and GH2 has a view finder and is a much better camera system than Sony NEX. What’s the issue?
Such a comment might have been more appropriate in the old SLR days w/o AF when using a slow lens meant very difficult to even focus properly. Now EVFs have the ability to boost the light level considerably and the much better high ISO performance of more recent m4/3 cameras like the GH2 and G3 make it much less essential to have a faster aperature. Also manufactures can design a high quality slower lens for less cost. The principal objectors to this rational is those insisting on smaller DOF for out of focus portait backgrounds. If that is what you need occasionally just use a “slow zoom” like the 45-200 closeup at its longest reach and you will get your out of focus background as many posters on Dpreview forum have demonstrated.
Or better yet just get the new Oly 45mm/f1.7.
This really looks very “video” oriented, and it’s a pain in the ass shooting video with a wide open lens. It makes sense.
And, it’s not even slow compared to the 14-140 lens.
Just get the Oly 9-18mm…. job done?
All thoese gimicks oly brought into the DSLR world…
Live view,
Articulating screen,
Colapsable lenses,
Sensor cleaning,
IBIS,
CDAF,
F2 zooms,
Customization like no other,
Pixel remapping,
4/3 half frame sensor size…
m4/3….
Yeh oly is just full of crappy gimicks…. that seem to stick around and define the modern camera… they might not have had the best sensors but they shaw as hell arn’t afraid to inovate.
And I’m betting in the near future (as all sensors get alot better) the difffrence in sensor performance will be a minor concideration….
I prefer to be “limited” by the higher quality 1.7 20mm.
This is a great package. As small as a pancake when not n use, so you can take it anywhere. Myself, I’d take the 20/1.7 because of the max aperture / quality, but for the other much bigger % of users this is great!
+10
None of my primes will lose any sleep over this lens. 😉
A lens like this coupled with the GF3 or the EPL3 or EPM could kill off cameras like the LX5 and XZ1. And as pbrooks100 said, obliterate the G12 and bridge camera market. I never even think of those cameras anymore. And neither will anyone else.
It’ll be VERY interesting to see how small Panasonic manages to make the 45-175mm!
Why should your primes lose any sleep?
This is a complement to your lens repertoire, not a replacement.
And you’re right, this is a huge threat to the bridge market, provided that the lens is “kit priced”. If this lens costs more than $500, then maybe not so much a threat to the bridge cams.
this is so sick. this really makes cameras like the gf3 compacts with high perfomance, and the advanced m43 models will benefit from this, too!
i own a g3 and actually wanted to save money for a 25/1.4, but now i’ll definately sell my current 14-42 and buy the new pancake one. 🙂
as soon as my 25mm arrives and this zooms is available my g3 kit zoom will be sold immediately!
Me too, but the new lens will probably make the 14-42 worth $100 at best.
I like Canon productsbut they must have something going on because the S95 is out of stock after a $50 price drop. No one is going to drop $500 on a G12 at this point…
Maybe they are realigning their product line to give us some sort of MILC product. Hope, hope, hope!
It’s a brilliant piece of engineering. I hope the images are great and prove the doubters wrong. I have always said that none of these cameras were pocketable and why bother making everything smaller when the lens was so big anyways. They are getting CLOSER to pocketable.
awesome news !! well done panasonic ! congrats on the engineering feat! cant wait for the official announcement
AWESOME. I am buying it for my precious GH2!
“along with the new 45-175mm lens”
Hmm, now I’m wondering how big that will be!
I think its size would be similar to 45/2.8, 9-18, 12/2, 45/1.8 – it looks like those are standard dimensions
“powerzoom”. Pffft. You need powerzoom for recording wildlife to avoid detection. Besides that, it is just a horrible replacement for a proper zoomring.
go spank your monkey with your powerzoom compact to the nude beach… you probably never shoot a video with interchangeable lens camera, you bunghole…
Hats off to Panasonic, they’ve just created the worlds first interchangeable compact camera lens. (I mean a lens off a compact camera, not a lens that’s compact, although obviously it is that too but it’s hardly unique in that respect!),
Certainly a nice companion to the GFs.
Well,
amazing. Im wondering WHY this lens is so small. BEcause of no manual zoom? Or do the manual zoom lack because of the size (there was no place for it).
If its the latter, i really hope for 14-42 Sized fast lens like 12-50/f2.5 with manual zoom. that would be amazing. Maybe even 12-50/f2 ? :D:D keeps me dreaming 😀
And im really interested in the telezoom lens. Mabye it has the size of the old 14-42 😀 that would be ass kicking! 😀
+10,.. I wonder 12-70mmF/2.5-3.3 pancake zoom how big n nice it would be
Any idea, what the second switch (on the picture with the extended lens) is for? Manual focus? Collapse/expand?
one is the zoom the other maybe the ois switch
I pray that it is manual focus…
(an OIS deactivation rocker – which can be done via software – has not as much interest as a manual focus)
Where is the sense of the powerzoom?!
BUT LEICA DID NOT APPROVE IT!
I think Panasonic wanted to make a LEICA lense, but Leica did not accept the co-branding.
The hints:
1. Look at the font 14-42: it is the same font as the one used on PANALEICAS. Normal PANA lenses have another font.
2. The nanocoating label, same as the 25mm
Why did Leica not approve? Hopefully not because of image quality. Maybe they feeled that it is OK to brand Leica on bridges but not on a motorized zoom with no manual focus and with a standard aperture range (3.5-5.6)?
Panasonic had to rename these lenses, and they came with the X “factor”… and the “pro” story. I hope to be proven wrong but I guess that these lenses will not be cheap. There is probably a big R&D cost to absorb. On the other hand, not being able to brand them Leica, may lead to a lower price than with the Leica tag (I suppose that branding Leica has it’s cost).
a_less
Leica probably did not approve because of in camera software correction, or maybe they are going to bringing out their own high end video lenses for the likes of the Panasonic AF100 (rumoured about 18 months ago)????
i think Panasonic want to separate 2 lines, lumix and leica, from the begining. it was not approve or disapprove problem from leica.
small and using the software to do some correction… —> lumix lenses
great optics without the software correction… —> leica DG
OK but what about the graphic chart… why change the font of the numbers? (I am in graphic business, so this seems really odd to me… only to me?)
And why X then?
Is there really no software correction on the 25mm?
But the font on the leaked 14-42 is NOT Leica, it is a new font, maybe to distinguish from the “standard” G lenses and from the Leica DG. Just guessing.
you are right. not they kind of look alike, but are not the same. Well maybe they had to change it along with the branding 😉
has the interview by vitaliy been removed? i cant find a link to it on the site now
Like others, I await the specs, IQ, and size of the new 45-175mm lens with interest.
And the optical quality of the new 4-42mm.
Not having bought the 45-200mm lens – the price went up $100 – and having both the 20mm and 14-45mm lenses already, the 45-175 might work well for both my GF and G series bodies.
Now if we had a “pancake” 7-14mm that would take a filter, that would put the icing on the Panasonic cake.
Not to mention a new GF1 size camera with manual controls and a view finder.
We always want more!
I didn’t really see this coming. After reading comments, and thinking for a while (maybe 1 minute, lol), this is what i’m thinking:
1) Strategically, this is smart. As many posters have noted, sizewise, this really closes the gap between m43 and bridge cameras, or “advanced P&S” like the Canon G series. So, there’s no longer an advantage to those cameras, as the m43 sensors have the edge. m43 takes over that segment. Nice move.
2) Ergonomically, these new lenses should, again, cater to advanced P&S and bridge cameras users looking for DSLR like quality in a small package (the zoom rocker and collapsible design is nothing strange to them).
3) I guess we should probably see these lenses as the new “kits” for the future. They are not bright after all, and the focal length ranges are clearly in the kit category.
4) Existing users might benefit from these new lenses, but i’m not sure they will run to get them. They cover focal lengths they almost certainly already have lenses for. Unless they NEED the small size, i don’t see a lot of sales there.
5) Price and IQ – two big questions. Priced too high, 1) 2) and 3) don’t make much sense. On the same token 4) wouldn’t make sense either. So, what for? Its a kit lens after all. Nothing revolutionary, the lenses are not bright, they don’t cover new focal lengths. As for IQ, that is a big question, as we don’t know if there are any new techonlogies in the glass. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Personally, I would have loved to see a UWA lens with this new design. Something like the oly 9-18. That would have been interesting.
So…in the end the new announcement was not as boring as I expected, and strategically looks like a really clever move…but, again…i don’t see myself rushing to buy this anytime soon…And I guess this is true for most current m43 users…
Cool, but where oh where is the native bright zoom?
WOW factor… but personally try checking the XZ1 its almost the same aspect…
VERY smart on Panasonic’s part. This will be *the* kit zoom to own, and any trolls who say “but APS-C lenses will be just as small!” should finally be silenced.
I may actually buy one of these things! Although one gripe – the earlier rumor implied that the new series was to be “pro” lenses, which this is clearly not!
Maybe the “X” instead of meaning “PRO” is more to denote a crossover lens that makes the m43 system more appealing for P&S users…
As others have mentioned, no filter threads makes this seem like a toy lens to me. Opens, closes and zooms just like a P&S lens, good for some, but not for me since I use filters all the time.
And I see that the arrival date of the 25mm Leica has been pushed back further to September in the U.S. Wish Pany would stop announcing stuff and start delivering what they have already announced.
Are you sure there is no filter thread? text says 37mm thread, and th image looks like there is one.
Oh, if I am mistaken, I would be happy!
The form factor makes me think of waiting for this lens before buying my Pana G3 set. It definitely is great for traveling. And that Pana squeezed O.I.S. into this package simply is amazing, as it means that within this tiny cylinder, lenses are moving in all three dimensions in a perfectly controlled fashion – longitudinal for zooming and focusing and transverse for image stabilization. No idea how tiny the actuators must be. This could, however, impact focusing speed; but it could also do vice versa, given that the moving masses in this tiny lens presumably are pretty small. We’ll have to wait for data concerning optical and AF performance.
The same is true for the impact of an obvious drawback of the design: the lacking mount for a lens hood. Tests will have to evaluate how susceptible this design is to low contrast due to direct sunlight hitting the front lense’s surface. An issue I have with most bridge cameras. Sure, a lens hood compromises compactness, but having the option of carrying one when size doesn’t matter -or even taking one of the old collapsible rubber-type versions- often makes the diffrerence between acceptable and inacceptable images.
Admin, have you published the price yet?
WOW – Panys revolutionary pancake zoom already at 274 comments and counting. Obviously Pany has hit a gold mine for m4/3 with this lens if the IQ as rumored turns out to be good and price affordable.
Now if only somebody will leak us photos of the coming GF7 and things will really get interesting as was the case with the X100 and NEX7?
Imagine this lens on an Oly E-PM1. It would be like a m43 version of XZ-1!
The question is: Is it better than the XZ-1 then? Same depth of field, about the same Low-light capabilities – but the XZ-1 is smaller & cheaper
A victory for travel photographers!
Let’s see that 45-175mm!!
Could that second switch at the bottom be the MF power switch? Power zoom and power manual focus: Panasonic could add some camera remote control to trigger zoom and focus without touching the body itself. That would result in a vibration-free footage. Am I dreaming? 🙂
That’s quite a bit of power sucking going on.
Wonder how much worse it will make the G3 battery.
Yes please ! this is what µ4/3 was invented for, small and light. This lens on a G3 will really make DSLR’s look silly.
Made quick mockups to see how it looks on GF1
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/7997/mockupgf1new1442.jpg
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/633/mockupgf1new1442closed.jpg
Looks nice! 😉
What do you think?
Cool! Can I post them on 43rumors?
i already wanted to try a mockup by myself, fortunately you did a great job before me.
with this lens the GF1 makes the LX5 obsolete. i really love what panasonic achieved, although i still have no clue how they managed. i hope this special technique can also be applied to other upcoming lenses.
a bright zoom (12-50) about twice the size of the new 14-42 (maybe the size of the 25mm leica) would kill all other mirrorless systems!
Really? The crop factor of the LX-5 relative to a m43 camera is about 2.15. The LX-5 has maximum f-stops of F/2.0 – F3.3, multiplied with that crop factor this would correspond to (in total light gathering ability) f/4.3-7.1. That is about half a stop faster than this lens.
In the end you cannot fool physics.
Strange math you have, besides you have to consider the worse iso performance of the LX5 sensor not to speak of the rather sluggish operation (AF, RAW writing times etc.)
Above all I don’t always use a lens wide open, but rather occasionally. Most of the time (in my case landscape etc.) i stop it down to the sweet spot and i am more than sure that the GFx with this lens will blow the LX5 out of the water regarding overall image quality.
Noise is mainly a function of the number of photons your sensor collects (which is the number of photons impinging on your sensor multiplied with the sensor’s efficiency to convert them into electrons, called QE, quantum efficiency).
For a given scene brightness, a given shutter speed this is proportional to the square of the f-stop * sensor size * QE.
LX-5 long end: (1/3.3)^2 * 7.89 x 5.81 mm * 0.46 = 1.94
GF-1, 14-42 @42: (1/5.6)^2 * 17.3 x 13 mm * 0.33 = 2.37
which is not a big difference.
In the shadows, read noise is also important but here the LX-5 is actually beating the GF-1.
Of course, with the GFx you pull a 20 mm f/1.7 (or a 25 mm f/1.4) out of your pocket and beat the the LX-5 by two to three stops. But not with the kit lens alone.
> i stop it down to the sweet spot
The same can be done with the LX5 lens, can’t it?
> and i am more than sure that the GFx with this lens will blow the LX5 out of the water regarding overall image quality.
We still don’t know anything certain about the optical quality of the new lens, so you really can’t be so sure…
Why is f/4.3-7.1 faster than f/3.5-5.6 ??
Sorry, ‘that’ was referring to the m43 lens (which does not make much grammatical sense, I admit). What I meant was that the 14-42 mm + GF-1 is only about half a stop better in light-gathering ability than the LX-5.
Can you enlighten me what is “light gathering ability”?
So far I lived with the idea (as many others), that F-stop of a lens is a F-stop, no matter if it is on DSLR or compact camera.
Say compact Canon S95 F2.0 is having better lens than bigger F2.8 Canon G10, although they do use the same sensor.
So it is also sensor dependant? E.g. Will F3.5 on micro 43rd system be faster then F2.8 on compact sensor?
Thanks for explanation!
‘Light Gathering Ability’ == total number of photons counted by the sensor, as I said above that is photons reaching the sensor (which is scene brightness * (f-stop)^2 * shutter speed * sensor surface area) times the efficiency of ‘counting’ those photons, ie, turning them into electrons (called QE).
Same f-stop but a sensor twice as large naturally means twice as many photons.
And the main component of noise is photon-shot noise which decreases in relative terms (and noise is relative measure, the variance around a mean) with increasing number of photons.
Of course you can post them!
Do not know how you do mock ups but it looks great. Sincere thanks for posting it.
ADMIN- you said you were going to post the price….?
Fantastic very impressive
I wonder what the other zoom lens will look like hopefully the same
I definitely got to get this 1 I will get rid of the older ones
It’s got power stablization instead of mega which is 3 stops better I love it
Hang on!! Mega claims to be 2 stops better than hand – so your saying 5 stops better than unstablaized!!! thats reliably sharp images @ 1 sec shutter speed at 28mm equiv!….
I won’t belive that till I see it! – I’ve pulled off such shots on the TZ7 but not reliably and I find the smaller cams seem to do better at IS than large sensor cams….
My guess is you will at best get 2-3 stops over no I.S.
I don’t think it is so revolutionary. All compacts are equipped with such a zoom. That’s one of the main reasons why I am frustrated with compacts, especially because you can’t put a filter on the lens (the situation seems to be the same with this lens, i don’t see the filter thread). And don’t get me wrong – I value compactness very much. I just don’t want to give up the feeling and the ease of use that you have with a real lens with manual zoom (and if possible focus).
37mm diameter is engraved (printed) on the front of the lens.
It looks like there is a trim ring just inside the front of the lens… that could unscrew to reveal 37mm threads. *Could* unscrew. Let’s hope! I likes me some polarizer shots too.
future micro four thirds cameras will probably come with a built in ND filter
be nice but i dunno….
Which is one of the coolest and most useful things about the XZ-1.
The gauntlet has definitley been thrown down – the GF3 plus this compact 14-42 is going to do extremely well come Christmas – just hope they don’t choke the supply line. Of course, IQ will reflect the compromises one has to make in such a lens design. For the more serious photographers the G3 and GHx line with the larger lenses should produce good IQ for all but huge enlargements and very low light imagery. APS-C and larger sensor cameras are getting harder to justify. The Nikon Coolpix Pro, with a 4-lens offering from the get-go, should similarly do very well at Christmas as consumers will be drawn to portability and “good enough” IQ. Good on Panasonic for leading the charge.
“APS-C and larger sensor cameras are getting harder to justify.”
There’ll always be a place for maximum performance, and big sensors will still be persuasive in those places.
What IS getting harder to justify are teeny-body APS cameras, clinging to the end of large APS lenses. In some ways, the worst of both worlds: tiny bodies and controls, bulky heavy doorway-knocking pedestrian-jabbing lenses.
I would not call “APS-C” a “big sensor”. For maximum performance there is full frame or better, medium format.
medium format does not do as well as you might think…. yeh so its 40Mpix but thats only 2 Nex 7 shots together and medium format is worse than m4/3 for high ISO….
medium format is normally used for studio fashion / portrait shoots or landscape, so yeah, very low iso’s are used.
its the soccer mum crowd that need the high isos for their pictures of their kids at birthday parties
Come on Admin!
Gives us prices and availability!
Is it going to make kit?
5.6 on the long end is not that impressive…
Size is the selling point, not speed.
Can’t wait to see image comparisons between current Panasonic and latest Olympus kit zooms.
if they can make the kit this small how small will a 12-60mm F2.8 – F4 be with this tech!??? about the size of the current 14-42mm kit? – that would be nice 🙂
Speed would be a selling point for me, not size. 😉
@admin: does the lens still support manual zoom (and focus)?
he doesn’t know yet, maybe the rocker has a dual function…
got a feeling they will be using the technology from this powerzoom for the powerzooms they need to introduce for the professional video market within the next 12 months.
The 0.2m against the 0.3m of the 14-45 Closed focussing distance looks great too. Better than the zuiko zoom!
Power OIS can still be reasonable sharp @ 1/4s vs mega OIS already struggling in 1/8s
Great lens and Idea butI didnt see anybody saying about using this lens WILL deplete the battery so much faster…
Just if you zoom a lot or poer on/off youre camera often. Would be great if the focal length steps could be configured via the camera menu (with firmware update). Then you can switch fast between 14, 25 and 42mm (or any other focal length you like). Like a Tri-Elmar. Should save power and makes zooming faster!
never liked the glass quality (or slow speeds) of it’s predecessor.
looks sexy though….should not be beaten by a LX5 which I am certain costs less than this wonky lens
I am not jacked about this one.
The size is great (!) though I prefer manual zoom.
Is heavy post capture digital processing the clue ?
360 comments! More comments than for all those Sony novelties on SAR. Congrats, admin, you’ve managed to surprise us all 🙂 !
Come on guys, let’s continue the party! Let’s get to 400 comments -would that be the record ever on this site?
Yes it would be a record 🙂
Ehm, so let’s talk about something. “M” how is the wather today? 🙂
Oh I live in Denmark, so it’s summer here (translation: crappy as usual).
No seriously, admin you did and are doing a great job and one of the best things you managed to do with your time and dedication is to create this nice feeling of community among m43 users when you reach out to this site of yours, a community that is growing bigger and more diverse every month (at the beginning mostly enthusiasts and few daring professionals but more and more P&S upgraders and so on these days -at least judging from the comments). You managed to keep it open and ads-free, which I personally like a lot. It is always a pleasure coming to your site for news -rarely they are disappointing!
So take care & keep up the good work. Next celebrations will come when the “enthusiast compact” models from P&O will roll out. Oh how I love these news 🙂
Mauro
Denmark? Love northern countries. And I usually go there in winters only (Sweden, Berlin, Belgium and so on). And Thanks for your kind works!
Admin, are you waiting for the 400 comments to post more rumors about thoses lenses? Do not wait too much if announcement is really tomorrow 😉
No. Rumor is coming very soon 🙂
The lens seems to have Nano Surface Coating.
Good News.
It takes forever to load 380+ comments from a Blackberry. Takes even longer to read half of them. LOL
Not impressed with this lens. Who is it for? People that are serious about photography need more than 5.6 on the long end. If you want to shoot video with it, then the pwr zoom isnt any good because the image will get darker as you zoom in. Well you might say just set it at 5.6 and it wont change but people buying this lens probably shoot on “auto”
Wow! Last time I checked this post yesterday was only 100+ comments. Getting closer to 400 post! Seems majority are excited on this pannasonic X lens, including me =)
Just leaving a quick comment to say I’m enjoying your blog…