Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

[bredman]

With everyone comparing the two lenses and the effect on purchasing decisions I thought you'd all find this interesting -- I did. Ok, Robin Wong may not be as unbiased as he once was but this seems all straightforward enough.

http://robinwong.blogspot.it/2014/02/olympus-mzuiko-25mm-f18-lens-review.html

Basic points --

The Olympus lens is slightly wider in field of view than the Panasonic lens

The Olympus lens is *possibly 1/3 EV brighter than Panasonic lens (not conclusive, based on just quick observation on EXIF data)

There is not much difference in shallow depth of field rendering between F1.8 and F1.4 lenses (if point number 2 is true, the gap is bridged due to either the Olympus lens being 1/3 EV brighter than F1.8 or the Panasonic lens being 1/3 EV darker than F1.4. This is just my observation, not a conclusive statement)

Although Olympus magnification factor is 0.12x and Panasonic magnification factor is 0.11x, I find the close up shooting capability of Olympus lens to be significantly better than the Panasonic lens.

Panasonic lens has poorer CA control (especially shooting wide open) and corner sharpness than Olympus lens.

General sharpness between both lenses are almost identical

[bredman]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

And wow, check out the size difference.

[lanceric124]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

After trying both out at the NEC show, I must say the new Olympus 25mm let me down. Despite its compact size and being slightly more affordable, it's sharpness, especially while shooting portrait, just can't compete with the Panny. Yes, it is slightly wider but I already have the 17mm f1.8 for that. I don't particularly hear the focusing noise(maybe because it's so noisy at the show :P), and considering I don't really shoot video, it won't bother me.

I am gonna see if I can find a cheaper Panny 25mm now

[Alexco]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

If I hadn't forgotten my credit card pin number I would have bought the Olympus 25mm at the Photography Show where it was available for £250 which was an amazing price.

[benvendetta]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

[blu-by-u]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

If you already own that Lumix 25mm, will you sell it for that ZD 25mm?

[DekHog]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

If you already own that Lumix 25mm, will you sell it for that ZD 25mm?

.....not for the price the Oly is currently selling for, no, otherwise I might have just for the size difference.

[StephenL]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

If you already own that Lumix 25mm, will you sell it for that ZD 25mm?

I did, 'cos I managed to get one at the show, and I don't regret it. It handles and feels great, and is much more in keeping with the E-M1. I'm happy with the IQ too.

[Iansky]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

I have had the Panleica 25mm f1.4 for a number of years and it is a stunning lens but not cheap, I picked mine up used but mint at a good price but it is still an expensive lens albeit it around an equivalent price as the Oly.

I love the really small size of the Oly lens but as I use the 25 on the EM1 and it is black, I am happy to stick with what I have.

What next from OLy?????

[Glenn S]

[drmarkf]

Re: Oly 25 vs. Pana 25

I'm going to be sticking with my m4/3 PanLeica 25 1.4 for the moment - I tend to use it only for special purposes when its particular attributes are helpful (eg low natural light portraits, and stage photography) and the size isn't an issue then.

I originally had a 4/3 25 1.4 which was more specialist and much bigger and more solid - crystal sharp in the centre at full aperture but softer towards the corners so right for some sorts of portraiture. I sold it for the m4/3 version. I used to love the expensive-sounding 'cer-link' the diaphragm made! The m4/3 version's plasticky in comparison.