Really basic but it does work very well...........

I bought it one month ago. I tested it with a few shots. It worked fine. I then put on my backpack for a long flight to a foreign country. When I used the lens again in the foreign country, I just saw a black screen on my camera body and the lens did not work at all.

This is my standard go-to lens for micro four thirds. It gets the job done in most areas. Sure, there are better, faster lenses in various focal lengths that this lens covers, but this lens covers a good range, and you have the convenience of one lens-- no changing!

This lens is small but it is a beast. On a GH2 it is very snappy. It focuses VERY fast. These units are usually kit lenses that people often overlook. Don't sleep on this Olympus lens because on the right camera it is very impressive.

original mk1 has better IQ. i prefer this lens over the mk2.

cheap.great IQ but not quite as good as original; quiet a/f better suited for video

build quality

I use this lens with my Blackmagic Pocket Camera. I really like the portability. However if you are using it with a Blackmagic Pocket Camera the focal adjustment is sensitive, so be sure the picture is as sharp as it can get.

The Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R ($299.99 direct) is the standard starter lens that is bundled with Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras like the PEN Lite E-PL5 . You can generally buy it bundled with that camera or the PEN Mini E-PM2 for a very modest ($30 to $50) premium, and at that price...

Impressively sharp for a kit lens; Minimal distortion.

All-plastic build; Lens hood not included.

The Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R ($299.99 direct) is the standard starter lens that is bundled with Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras like the PEN Lite E-PL5( at Amazon). You can generally buy it bundled with that camera or the PEN Mini E-PM2($1,399.00 at Amazon) for a very modest ($30 to $50) premium, and at that price it's a steal. But if you're looking for a zoom lens and already have a Micro Four Thirds camera, consider upgrading to the weather-sealed M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-5.6 EZ, or the ultra-compact M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ. The lens($295.00 at Amazon) features a plastic lens barrel and mount, and a collapsible design. There's a locking switch that you must pull back in order to collapse the barrel for storage. When collapsed it measures 1.9 by 2.2 inches (HD), weighs 3.9 ounces, and supports 37mm front filters. There's no hood included, but there is a removable ring that covers a bayonet mount to accommodate the add-on hood that Olympus offers for ...

The Olympus M. Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R is a fine choice as a discounted starter lens, but consider an upgrade if you're paying full price.

Impressively sharp for a kit lens; Minimal distortion; Collapsible design

All-plastic build; Lens hood not included; Narrow aperture

The lens came as part of the kit with an ep3. As kit lens go, this is fantastic. I'm not so sure about the other reviewer who took offence to this lens, I assume that they must have had a bad copy as this lens performs beyond its kit lens pedigree.

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