Olympus 14-150mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED M.Zuiko Digital was announced last year (2009) in November as an all-in-one ”vacation lens” for the PEN digital cameras. It is designed specifically for the micro-four-thirds camera format and delivers an effective field of view of 28-300mm on such cameras.

This versatile lens offers high-power 10.7x zoom. It is a perfect companion for those who want to shoot wide-scenes, portraits and subjects at a distance without carrying around several lenses.

The lens is optimized for movie shooting with low focusing noise. It is said to be extremely fast high-speed contrast AF. It also features 0.50m / 1.64 ft. closest focusing distance and 0.24x / 1:4.2 magnification ratio.

The 14-150mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED models’ optical construction combines 15 elements in 11 groups. There’re 2 aspherical and 2 ED (Extra Dispersion) glass elements among them to minimize various types of aberrations. All lens elements are also multi-coated to resist ghost and flare.

The lens uses internal focusing method, so it is convenient to use various filters with it. It takes 58mm filters and is also compatible with the LH-61C Lens Hood available separately. The lens measures only 83mm in length and sells at around $700.

Lens Reviews:

Slrgear.com:
This is a very good lens, not the sharpest but certainly very good for a superzoom. It shows some high chromatic aberration at certain focal lengths, but for the wide range of focal lengths the lens offers, it’s probably a small price to pay.

Olympus 14-150mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED M.Zuiko Digital – Specifications:

• Image Circle: Micro Four-Thirds
• Focal Length: 14 - 150mm
• Focal Length 35mm Equivalent: 28 - 300mm
• Maximum Aperture: ƒ/4 - 5.6
• Minimum Aperture: ƒ/22
• Diaphragm Blades: 7 (Circular Aperture)
• Lens Construction:
• 15 Elements in 11 Groups
• 2 aspherical and 2 ED elements
• Diagonal Angle of View: 75 to 8.2 degrees
• Internal Focus; AF/MF
• Rotary Zoom System
• Closest Focus: 0.50m / 1.64 ft.
• Magnification Ratio: 0.24x / 1:4.2 (0.48x / 1:2.1 35mm eq.)
• Filter Size: 58mm
• Length x Diameter: 83mm x 63.5mm / 3.27 in. x 2.5 in.
• Weight: 290g / 10.2 oz
• Optional LH-61C Lens Hood Available
• Price Tag: US$600

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm F4 ASPH lens was designed specially for the use with Micro Four Thirds cameras and mounts on Panasonic and Olympus camera belonging to this standard.

The lens features really compact dimensions, yet it is delivers powerful wide-angle capabilities. It offer 14-28mm equivalent focal length and 114º angle of view, which is very helpful when shooting extremely wide scenes or taking pictures indoors where the distance is limited.

The 7-14mm has an F4.0 constant maximum aperture over the entire zoom range. Its optical design combines 16 elements in 12 groups with two aspherical and 4 extra-low dispersion glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations. The lens features multi-coated lens elements as well to reduce ghosts and flare. There’s also an integrated hood to protect that large expanse of glass against stray light.

When mounted on the DMC-GH1 DSLR camera, the new lenses allows use of the advanced contrast AF system, which includes a Face Recognition function, for more convenient, more enjoyable shooting.

However, there’s no filter thread for various attachments, and the prices too high in comparison with its rivals.

Lens Reviews:

Dpreview.com:
The lens shows very good image quality and extremely fast, practically silent autofocus. It is impressively resistant to flare but produces fairly strong lateral chromatic aberration at the widest settings when used on Olympus bodies.

Alternatives/Rivals: Nikon 14-24mm F2.8 (APC-S), Olympus M Zuiko Digital 9-18mm F4-5.6.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm F4 ASPH - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 7-14mm
• Focal Length Equivalent: 14-28mm
• Diagonal Angle of View: 114º - 75º
• F4 Constant Maximum Aperture
• Minimum Aperture: F22
• Lens Construction: 16 Elements / 12 Groups
• 4 ED Glass Elements
• 2 Aspherical Elements
• 7 Diaphragm Blades, Rounded Aperture
• Minimum Focus: 0.25m
• Maximum Magnification: 0.08x
• Micro AF Motor
• Focus Method: Internal
• No Filter Thread
• Supplied Accessories: Front and Rear Caps
• Weight: 300 g (10.6 oz)
• Diameter & length 70 mm x 83 mm (2.8 x 3.3 in)
• Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount
• Price Tag: US: $1000

Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS was launched as a kit lens to match the NX10 DSLR camera body. It delivers rather a typical focal lens of 27-82.5mm on a sub-frame (APS-C-sized) sensor, which is the usual thing for other manufacturers’ kit lenses.

As to its optical construction, the lens combines 12 elements in 9 groups and includes 1 aspherical element in its design to provide correction for chromatic aberrations. It also has a circular aperture that is formed with 7 diaphragm blades.

The 18-55mm delivers a 75.9 to 28.7-degree picture angle and offers a minimum focus of 28 cm with a maximum magnification of 0.22 times. The advantage of this lens is that it is equipped with built-in optical stabilization, which allow using slower shutter speeds and thus improves the lens’s low light performance.

The lens is rather small and fits the NX10 camera body very well. It is made of black polycarbonate, and unfortunately doesn’t include metal mount other NX lenses are supplied with. It also has neither a distance scale, nor depth-of-field indicator.

The 18-55mm sells with a petal-shaped lens hood that is attaches easily and acts as a perfect shield from stray light.

Photoreview.com.au:
As a kit lens, its performance is up to the standard of most entry and lower mid-level DSLRs, moreover, it delivers low levels of chromatic aberration and minimal vignetting. Though, it cannot deliver totally distortion-free images.

Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS Kit Lens – Specifications:

• Picture angle: 75.9 to 28.7 Degrees
• Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Lens Construction: 12 Elements in 9 Groups
• 1 Aspherical Lens Element
• Diaphragm Blades: 7 (Circular Aperture)
• Minimum Focus: 28 cm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.22x
• Filter Size: 58 mm
• Diameter: 63mm
• Length: 65.1 mm
• Weight: 198 grams (without hood)
• Lens Mount: Samsung NX