The weight of 45-200mm from 380g let me then even more squinting toward the 45-175 and 45-150mm. Based on the idea that a kit lens can not so much use at all, I ordered the 45-175mm and was bitterly disappointed by the erroneous OIS: This detects the closing of the shutter vibrations generated during a nonexistent movement is being taken. There arise then in the range of about 1 / 30s to 1 / 250s diplopia, which disqualified the lens immediately. The whole can be understood on various forums pages.
Despite my concerns, I ordered then the 45-150mm, since it nevertheless weighs only half of 45-200mm. I got more than I expected: The lens is very solid processed, partly of an aluminum casing, but mostly plastic (even zoom and focus ring). The zoom ring has no play, the tube runs with a pleasant resistance and the focus ring is running smooth as silk. That's how it should be. A quality earnings represent the metal bayonet, the supplied lens hood and the non-rotating front thread (Polfilteraufnahmen).
At the latest in image quality I was very pleasantly surprised: Compared to the more expensive 45-175mm I could actually make no difference what sharpness and contrast concerns here makes the lens wonders. The color rendering is slightly warmer, which I just accommodates at Panasonic cameras. And most importantly, this time also the image stabilizer works as it should. You are looking for a downside, the strong vignetting at maximum aperture has to be mentioned.
What remains to be said in conclusion? For the current price you get really a lot on offer with the 45-150mm. The picture quality is top notch, the processing flawlessly. In contracted state it is so far the smallest telephoto lens and can be taken with its 200g effortlessly everywhere. At the moment I see it as the best compromise of all available telephoto lenses and can recommend it without hesitation!
Compare:
45-175mm:
++ Super processing
++ Compact and light
++ Metal bayonet
++ Front thread does not rotate with
+ Does not extend while zooming
= No haptic feedback, as electronic zoom
= Travels to always shut down to the starting position (45mm) back
no switch for the OIS (only camera menu)
Double images with OIS disqualified by vibrations of the shutter!
45-150mm:
++ Compact and light
++ Very good image quality
++ Metal bayonet
++ Front thread does not rotate with
+ Good workmanship
= Extension at 150mm focal length by about 4cm
strong vignetting at maximum aperture
no switch for the OIS (only camera menu)
