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Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£180
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Maximum focal length: 14 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 2.5
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 75 °

Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

7.0

Very good

6.6

Good

8.7

Excellent

7.2
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.8
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
5.7
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
9.8
Lens length
25.0%
9.2
Lens diameter
25.0%
1.0
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

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Verdict

The Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II ASPH is an ultra-compact pancake prime lens for Micro Four Thirds systems, featuring a 28mm equivalent focal length and an optical construction of 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses. Its main characteristics include a fast f/2.5 aperture, a silent stepping motor for high-speed contrast AF, and a lightweight 55g build with a 46mm filter thread. The lens is praised for its exceptional portability, sleek metallic finish, and sharpness across the frame, though it lacks built-in optical image stabilisation and can exhibit noticeable vignetting and software-dependent distortion correction.

Technical Specifications of Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH

Overall score

7.0

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Micro Four Thirds

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Micro Four Thirds

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

46 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.0

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

75 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

75 °

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Focus & Controls

5.6

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

STM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

5.9

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

8.8

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

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Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH vs the average camera lens

Why is Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH better than the average camera lens?

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455.4 g lighter
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is lighter than the average camera lens (70 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is lighter than the average camera lens (70 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.70 g vs 525.4 g
71.5 mm shorter lens
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is shorter than the average camera lens (20.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is shorter than the average camera lens (20.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.20.5 mm vs 92 mm
0.3 lower f-number at telephoto end
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.2.5 vs 2.8
21.5 mm narrower lens barrel
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is slimmer than the average camera lens (55.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is slimmer than the average camera lens (55.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.55.5 mm vs 77 mm
0.12 m shorter minimum focus distance
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.18 m vs 0.3 m
1 more aspherical elements
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.3 vs 2
2.94x cheaper
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).£180 vs £530
0.3 T-stop lower transmission value
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2.8 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.
What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.
When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2.8 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.2.8 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop
0.3 lower f-number at telephoto end
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
1 more aspherical elements
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
0.12 m shorter minimum focus distance
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
455.4 g lighter
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is lighter than the average camera lens (70 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
71.5 mm shorter lens
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is shorter than the average camera lens (20.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
21.5 mm narrower lens barrel
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH is slimmer than the average camera lens (55.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
0.3 T-stop lower transmission value
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2.8 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH worse than the average camera lens?

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2 fewer aperture blades
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
0.09 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Not weather-sealed
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No lens hood
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
Older release date
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH was released earlier than the average camera lens.
September 2014
Not weather-sealed
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
2 fewer aperture blades
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
No lens hood
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
What it is: Whether a matching lens hood is supplied in the box.
When it matters: When you want flare protection straight out of the box without buying extra accessories.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.0 vs 2
0.09 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.
When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.
Importance: MEDIUM
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.0.1 x vs 0.192 x
Older release date
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH was released earlier than the average camera lens.
September 2014
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH was released earlier than the average camera lens.2014 vs 2016

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH?

Extremely compact and lightweight 'pancake' design (55g), making it highly portable
Fast and silent autofocus performance, suitable for both street photography and video
Sharp image quality in the center of the frame, even when wide open at f/2.5
Affordable price point, particularly when purchased secondhand
Minimal barrel distortion for a wide-angle lens due to aspheric elements

What customers dislike about Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm F 2 5 II ASPH?

Noticeable vignetting (darkened corners) when shooting at the widest aperture
Softness in the extreme corners of the image compared to the center
Prone to lens flare when shooting toward strong light sources
Relatively long minimum focusing distance (0.18m) limits close-up capabilities
Manual focusing can be difficult due to the very small focus ring

Expert reviews

photoreview.com.au

18/03/2015

Summary of the review

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II ASPH H-H014A lens

The Photo Review analysis highlights the Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II ASPH (H-H014A) as a compact, 55-gram pancake lens offering a 28mm equivalent field of view, ideal for street and landscape photography. Key pros include a rapid, quiet inner-focusing motor suitable for video and a durable build with a metal mount, all while supporting 46mm filters without rotation. Cons identified include the absence of built-in optical image stabilization and a limiting 18 cm minimum focusing distance that hinders macro capability. Additionally, the lens features a fly-by-wire manual focus system without physical distance markings, and it omits a dedicated lens hood from the standard accessory package.

henrysnote.com

30/01/2015

Summary of the review

Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm f/2.5 II ASPH - Review - Henry's Note

The Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 II ASPH is an ultra-compact "pancake" lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, offering a 28mm-equivalent focal length suitable for street and travel photography. Key advantages include its exceptional portability, fast, quiet autofocus, and strong center sharpness, while drawbacks consist of limited bokeh, minor corner vignetting, and a higher price point. Optically, the lens utilizes three aspherical elements to produce high-contrast images, though it requires close subject proximity for background separation and exhibits some barrel distortion correctable by software.

lenstip.com

N/A (User Feedback)

Summary of the review

Panasonic G 14 mm f/2.5 II ASPH - LensTip.com If you tell me what camera body you are using, I can: Confirm if in-camera corrections for this lens are...

The LensTip review outlines that the Panasonic G 14 mm f/2.5 II ASPH is an exceptionally compact, lightweight wide-angle pancake lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Mechanically, it features a solid build quality with a 56 x 20.5 mm profile weighing just 55 grams. Optically, the review praises the lens for delivering very good image quality and sharpness in the frame centre, negligible astigmatism, well-corrected chromatic aberration, and decent overall performance when shooting against bright light. Owners also highlight its fast autofocus speed and high portability, making it a highly portable choice for street photography and daily city walks. However, the analysis highlights significant optical shortcomings that compromise its performance. The main disadvantages identified are monstrous barrel distortion and heavy vignetting (light fall-off) in the corners of the frame. At its maximum aperture of f/2.5, it suffers a light loss of 49% in the corners. This heavy vignetting forces users to rely heavily on software corrections. Correcting this distortion digitally shrinks the native 75.4-degree angle of view, reducing its wide-angle coverage to roughly a 31 mm full-frame equivalent instead...

chip.de

12/05/2015

Summary of the review

Comparison: Panasonic MFT-mount prime lenses reviewed

This review ranks the top prime lenses for Panasonic Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system cameras based on standardized tests conducted using a Panasonic Lumix G9 camera. The current top-rated model is the high-end Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200mm F2.8 Power OIS, which achieved a perfect "Very Good" score of 1.0, though it carries a steep price tag of €2,199. For budget-conscious photographers, the review highlights excellent value-for-money alternatives, including the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm F1.7 Asph. OIS and the Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 Asph., both of which scored highly while remaining affordable. Other notable entries include fast wide-angle and macro lenses from brands like Leica, Sigma, and Voigtländer. The pros of the highly-ranked lenses include exceptional image resolution, superb optical quality, fast autofocus performance, and advanced features such as built-in optical image stabilisation (OIS) and weather-resistant rubber lens mount seals. On the downside, the main con is the high cost of the top-performing models like the 200mm Elmarit, which received an "acceptable" rather than a good price rating. Additionally, specific lower-ranked lenses exhibit notable weaknesses, such as the Voigtländer...

forumlumix.com

15/04/2016

Summary of the review

Panasonic G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH THE BIG TEST

Based on the provided French forum discussion, the Panasonic G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH pancake lens is highly regarded by users for its extreme compactness, lightweight build, and fast autofocus, making it an excellent and discrete choice for travel, street photography, and everyday snapshot captures. It is also praised for its short minimum focusing distance of 18cm, which allows for unique close-up shots, and its massive depth of field even when shooting wide open at f/2.5, making it easy to capture sharp spontaneous moments. Additionally, the lens offers an exceptional value-for-money proposition on the secondhand market, typically selling for a very affordable price between €120 and €170. However, users noted a few notable disadvantages, particularly that its corners and edges are visibly "soft" and lack sharpness compared to more premium wide-angle options, meaning it is less suited for critical landscape photography unless stopped down to f/4. Its maximum aperture of f/2.5 is also considered limiting for low-light indoor shooting without a modern stabilized camera body or high ISO capabilities. For users seeking better performance, the lens lacks weather sealing and is...

lesnumeriques.com

08/05/2026

Summary of the review

What are the best standard lenses for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras?

This buying guide evaluates the top standard and travel lenses for Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras, specifically highlighting options from Sigma, Olympus, and Panasonic. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is praised for its excellent build quality, low vignetting, and highly versatile f/1.4 maximum aperture, though it suffers from inconsistent sharpness at wider apertures and minor distortion. The premium Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO stands out as an exceptional "50mm equivalent" autofocus lens that delivers superb optical quality from wide-open apertures and weather-sealed construction, though it is bulky and lacks internal optical stabilisation. For ultimate convenience, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO acts as a powerful 24-200mm equivalent "Swiss Army knife" zoom lens featuring optical stabilisation and a constant f/4 aperture, despite showing inconsistent sharpness between the centre and edges at wide angles. As a budget-friendly and compact alternative, the guide spotlights the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1,7 II Asph. as a clever "smart buy". This pancake lens is highly recommended for entry-level photographers due to its lightweight profile, lack of distortion or vignetting, and strong...

digitalcamaralens.com

01/09/2014

Summary of the review

LUMIX G 14 mm Asph f/2.5 II - Lens Review and Test

The Panasonic LUMIX G 14mm f/2.5 II Asph is an ultra-lightweight pancake lens designed for Micro Four Thirds systems, weighing only 55 grams and measuring 20.5 mm in length. It provides a versatile 28mm equivalent focal length, making it ideal for travel photography, street shooting, and architecture. Tested on the high-resolution Lumix DSC GH6 camera, the lens delivered explosive optical performance and sharpness in the center of the frame, alongside a reduced, linear geometric distortion and strong resistance to ghosting and flare when shooting directly into the sun. However, the lens has notable flaws, particularly a deficiency in edge-to-edge sharpness caused by high lateral chromatic aberrations in the extreme corners. Its physical construction relies heavily on plastic with an anodized aluminum bayonet, but it lacks external weather sealing or rubber gaskets. Additionally, the electronic manual focus ring is described as slightly stiff and tedious to operate due to its long focus throw and deep initial depth of field. Overall, the review awards the lens a fair final score of 6.09 out of 10, highlighting excellent portability but overall average build...

micro43italia.it

15/01/2025

Summary of the review

I Hate and I Love - Lumix 14mm - Micro4/3 Italy

The Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5 ASPH lens is a highly compact, lightweight pancake lens for Micro Four Thirds systems that serves as an ultra-portable 28mm full-frame equivalent. Photographer Alessandro Russo highlights several major advantages of this lens, including its highly discreet profile which makes it completely invisible for street photography. Additional benefits are its very low purchase cost and its unique "imperfect" optical rendering that gives black-and-white photos a distinct, analog, almost hand-drawn quality that boosts artistic creativity. However, the review directly details multiple optical flaws that compromise absolute image quality. The distinct disadvantages of the lens include its reduced contrast, a strong tendency to vignette, and its vulnerability to producing haze under specific lighting scenarios. Furthermore, it lacks extreme sharpness, especially around the edges which tend to look chaotic and unsharp. Despite these technical drawbacks, the reviewer ultimately concludes that the lens forces photographers to work around its limitations to create images filled with unique personality.

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