Mechanical / optical problems?

The x14-42 would actually be the perfect kit zoom for compact system cameras like the Lumix GF1-3 or Olympus EP1-3 etc ... The objective is very small and surprisingly light, it is hardly larger than the 20mm pancake and even considerably lighter , The Power Zoom works precisely, but it is a bit tedious to set the manual focus with the rocker exactly, but probably never necessary because the autofocus at least for Panasonic funtkioniert relatively accurately and quickly. From the GF2 and recent Lumix models are obtained after a firmware update its own Power Zoom Lens menu where you can set whether the actual focal length of the lens is also displayed on the display, in addition you can activate "Step Zoom", the following focal lengths anfährt: 14 , 18, 25, 35, 42mm. There is also a "Zoomresume" function, which is very handy if you want to have reactivated after off / turn on the camera, the previous focal length, and as a last resort can also zoom speed between 3 stages choose the rocker himself already 2 levels offering, depending on how much you press them.

Visually, the small x14-42 the level of the old Lumix hold on no case Kitzooms 14-45, but one also likes to compromise if the compromise in picture quality are not too big, but the lens is so compact. The light intensity falls compared to other Kitzooms very quickly, so the x14-42 has already at 20mm f / 4.5 maximum aperture than at 25mm it is f / 5.0, f / 5.6 is achieved at 32mm.
In addition, piling up now sadly reports of blurred images taken at the long end. Many sources suspect a problem with the OIS, delivering blurred results with 42mm and given time combinations. Also DPReview confirmed the blurring problem with their testing of stand even show blurred results with OIS off and times to 1/60. Now also I had to convince them of this problem. The x14-42 delivers extremely inconsistent results. A and received the same image within seconds, can have completely different focus, which distributed over the picture may be different. It is not only affected the focal length of 42mm, and 25mm focal lengths when and shorter times as 1/800 often show completely inexplicable results, where the left side of the image is sharp, the center of focus, the next image, however, is the center and the right Page sharp that left it out of focus. Clearly identify with such a behavior-centering is hardly possible. The problems described in 42mm and time to 1 / 100-1 / 200 I could find and got off with OIS significantly sharper images than with. Interestingly, however, I had even when the OIS images with a clear veil which was not seen in images with OIS. My suspicion is that the "movable lens" of OIS partially up to mischief here even at rest.

On the part of Panasonic so far lacks any opinion on the issue. That's why I can recommend the x14-42 anyone who puts real emphasis on impeccable images in the current state. Currently it looks like almost a roulette game if you get sharp or blurred images with this lens. Whether a firmware update will solve this problem, is rather questionable. Perhaps the extremely compact design is technically feasible limit. Even though I was so looking forward to this lens, my going back definitely.

Update: As a precaution, I ordered a second copy, but this situation is even more extreme than the first. 2 images at 14mm and 1/2000 within 3 seconds with and without OIS added: That without OIS is completely blurred, except for a narrow strip on the left side. The OIS is OK with, but with a blur right. Tripod with OIS disabled are blurred from 1/100 and longer.