Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 L Lens

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 L Lens is a compact, retractable standard zoom lens designed for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, delivering a 28-84mm full-frame-equivalent focal range in a genuinely pocketable package. Introduced in 2010, it was offered as a kit lens with Olympus’s PEN series bodies, including the E-P1, E-P2, and E-PL1, giving photographers full 3x zoom performance well suited to everyday and travel photography.

Optically, the lens is built from 9 elements in 8 groups, covering a 14-42mm focal range with a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 at the wide end narrowing to f/5.6 at full telephoto. The lens achieves a maximum magnification of 0.24x at its closest focusing distance of 0.25m (9.84 in.), giving it reasonably close-focusing capability for everyday close-up work in addition to standard zoom shooting, with a diagonal angle of view spanning 75 to 29 degrees.

Autofocus is handled by an internal focus motor, and the lens does not include optical image stabilization of its own, relying instead on in-body stabilization on compatible camera bodies. A collapsible, retractable barrel design lets the lens shrink down to a compact 43.5mm maximum length for storage, extending for shooting, keeping it genuinely travel-friendly when paired with Olympus’s compact PEN-series bodies.

Build quality centers on a lightweight plastic barrel and mount construction, keeping the lens notably light at approximately 133g and measuring 62mm in diameter. It accepts a 40.5mm filter thread and is available in both black and silver finishes to match different PEN camera color options.

As a Micro Four Thirds-specific lens, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 L is designed exclusively for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras from Olympus/OM System, Panasonic, and other Micro Four Thirds alliance manufacturers.

Key Features
– 14-42mm standard zoom for Micro Four Thirds
– Approximately 28-84mm full-frame-equivalent focal range
– Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 (variable)
– 9 elements in 8 groups optical construction
– Internal focus motor autofocus
– No image stabilization (relies on in-body stabilization)
– Minimum focusing distance of 0.25m (9.84 in.); 0.24x maximum magnification
– Collapsible, retractable barrel design (43.5mm maximum length)
– 40.5mm filter thread
– Lightweight plastic construction (approximately 133g)
– Available in black and silver finishes
– Compatible with Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras (Olympus/OM System, Panasonic, and alliance partners)