In the mid-range (18-35mm) results are somewhat similar. At the widest end of the lens' performance (ƒ/3.9-5.2) the lens produces a small central portion of sharpness, degrading to softness in one corner or another; these results suggest some light de-centering with our sample of this lens. At 18mm and 25mm, stopping down to ƒ/5.6 removes this softness significantly, while at 35mm you need to stop down to ƒ/8 to get the sharpest results at that focal length. Zooming to 26mm results in a reduction in sharpness at maximum aperture, although good levels of sharpness are achieved in the centre of the frame. Clarity raises to very good levels in the centre and good sharpness towards the edges of the frame, with the aperture stopped down to f/5.6.

Olympus Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED Lens - Photo Review Olympus Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED Lens - Photo Review

We can talk and talk and argue ***** about the sharpness or dynamic range or "pop" but they are not allowing us to get the most important moments in our lives. And those who say that they can wait that X lens comes available or X body gets improvement, they are wasting time. Time that can be far more important than anything else here at dpreview. The new version of the 14-42mm M.Zuiko has dramatically improved its tolerance to chromatic aberration, specifically at the wide end (14mm), where it was most noticeable. It's still there if you look for it - magenta-blue fringing on the edges of high-contrast areas - but it's very slight indeed. Also from the same position the older MkI lens gives a fractionally wider angle of view - see the photos below where they were taken from the same tripod mounted spot. Olympus 14-42mm Mk I

The IIR version is physically longer. The EZ collapses into I guess what you call a pancake form (less than 7/8") when the camera is off but upon powering up immediately extends to twice the length (1-3/4"). The zoom ring is electronic (EZ) which means it does not rotate but turns a bit right or left to zoom electrically controlled. That may be an advantage for remote camera control under wifi or Bluetooth where I think there is a remote zoom control. As focusing is performed internally the 37mm filter thread does not rotate, which makes this lens ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters. There is a slim manual focus ring at the front of the lens barrel, which makes manual focusing possible. The minimum focus distance is 20cm, which makes this lens suitable for shooting in tight spaces or for the occasional close up. On the down-side, there is some play in the double telescoping design which gives the impression of a cheap point and shoot camera's lens. It doesn't affect image quality but dosn't instill confidence in the construction.

Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R Lens Review

Olympus has enjoyed creating a lens that retracts into itself to become further compact, but has struggled to create something that's easy for the casual shooter to use. Previous designs require the user to turn the zoom ring to extend the body of the lens so it's ready to use, accompanied by a helpful text on the camera body. Olympus has taken it a step further, by turning this into an automatic power function: now the lens extends just by turning on the camera. This has the added benefit of giving the lens a power zoom function, which is useful in movie creation. The new M.Zuiko 14-42mm II lens features an updated optical design with improved autofocus drive and smaller dimensions.

The Zuiko Digital 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 ED is the standard kit lens which Olympus supply with their lower-tier DSLRs, including the E-420 and E-510. Announced in September 2006 to accompany the launch of the E-400, it shares that camera's defining characteristic, being remarkably compact in size. Indeed it takes advantage of the relatively small size of the Four Thirds sensor to be comfortably the smallest and lightest DSLR zoom lens currently available, great for those users who wish their camera systems to be as portable as possible.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6 II R Lens, Standard Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6 II R Lens, Standard

This lens isn't a "constant" lens, in that as you increase the focal length, the maximum aperture size decreases. The following table reflects the change as you zoom: Focal length Excellent results for corner shading - at every aperture and focal length setting, the corners are only a quarter-stop darker than the center, pretty much across the entire focal length and aperture range.

Olympus M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ ED MSC Specifications

Obviously we would love a faster aperture, or even a constant one, but again this is a pancake lens that measures just 60.6 x 22.5mm –we can more than forgive it being on the slower side.