When unpacking, I had the great joy with the new Panasonic. Haptic and processing technology, the small piece of art is made great. Since there is nothing to complain about. Technically size can it compare up to minimal differences with the 20 / 1.7. This is a real advantage over the 14-45 or the current 14-42. The fit is on the usual Panasonic level. I welcome also the ON / OFF switch for the image stabilizer (OIS). As now proposed the little thing in practice?
To make it short: In terms of image quality has the New disappointed me. The F3.5-5.6 with rather average bright zoom falls towards the edge visible. Only when stopping down the difference from the center is low. In practice, ie toward the edge dull or fuzzy-looking images. This will not only discover just Pixelpeeper but is inherently larger photos (from 13x18) can be seen clearly. Not only in "tele" in 42mm, the problem is obvious. Bereis the phenomenon can be seen at the initial focal length. My current 14-45 (with Ois switch) is much better here. Distortion errors are ironed out by means of internal software, yet is still a minimal residual "ton" seen in wide angle, but hardly arises. Vignetting and chromatic aberrations, however, are barely visible, which I've never had trouble with the Panasonicobjektiven with the latter.
What is striking is the very appealing and sensitively responsive zoom adjustment. This may the new really well and is here the big brothers with SDM / USM etc. in any way by. In addition, the zoom is also very very quiet. Especially when the films is likely to be a decisive advantage in the sum. Both the standard, as well as the message have been developed for this purpose. In addition to the existing lens line. For me the weaknesses of small Panazooms therefore negligible. I see the zoom closer to the filmmakers, for this there is a real innovation. Priced I find a good piece but at the upper limit of what is tolerable.
Short and sweet
Positive:
+ Compactness
+ Processing
+ Haptic
+ Sensitivity of the zoom
+ Little distortion
Negatives:
- Clearly visible edge blurring
- High price
My conclusion: I do mostly photos, the new "Pancake" for me no benefits. The significant weakness to the edges emphasizes the advantages of the zoom with its compactness for me. Picture Technically I remain therefore the old ways. My 14-45 standard full-size, the 20 / 1.7 pancake, and my Olympus 45 / 1.8 are to beat in this focal length range hardly.
Panasonic sees the new zoom but as a complement and not a substitute for 14-45 and Co. For filmmakers under the MFT users the new zoom however provide a real improvement. For me as a non-filmmaker but this was the reason, the flat piece of technology back to the original vendor of trust. As a stand motive prefer Direction MFT User I wish really just a Brighter standard lens, similar to the FT 12-60 or 14-50 of Leica.
