Panasonic 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens review: Better image stabilization, faster apertures make upgraded compact long-zoom a winner

 

 

The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 is an update to Panasonic's previous compact long-zoom Micro Four Thirds lens, the Lumix G Vario 14-140mm ƒ/4.0-5.8. This new lightweight, compact zoom lens provides a 35mm-equivalent range of 28-280mm, making it a very versatile single-lens option for Panasonic (and Olympus) MFT camera system owners. It's squarely aimed at users looking for a do-it-all lens for walkaround use, especially those who don't like to lug lots of additional lenses.

The 14-140mm's built-in Power O.I.S. (optical image stabilization) system makes up for not-so-fast apertures, and helps with low-light situations and video. Panasonic claims it's twice as effect at steadying large, slow movements as the previous model's Mega O.I.S. system. The new lens also has been updated with a stepper motor, plus a redesigned optical formula including three aspherical elements and two ED lenses. It features a faster maximum aperture with f/3.5 at the wide end (compard to f/4 in the older model), and f/5.6 (instead of f/5.8) at the long end. The 14-140mm is also smaller (with as smaller filter size, as well) and more lightweight than its predecessor.

Sadly, it's not all good news with this lens, as we ran into a very odd and repeatable issue -- noticeable motion blurring from shutter actuation shake when using slower shutter speeds. The problem, however, appears to be dependent on pairing of the lens with specific cameras. Otherwise, the results on our other tests were very pleasing.

Read our Panasonic 14-140mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens review at SLRGear to see our test results and read our final verdict.