PanasonicLUMIX G X Vario Power Zoom Lens, 45-175MM, F4.0-5.6 ASPH, MIRRORLESS Micro Four Thirds, Power Optical I.S, H-PS45175K (USA Black)

The Panasonic PZ 45-175mm f4-5.6 MFT lens (pleasantly!) surprised me. I had returned a Panasonic 45-200mm lens (that was relatively inexpensive and sharper than expected), which had, for me, an unacceptably high level of chromatic aberration problems. I hesitated buying this PZ ("power zoom") lens due to comments about a frequent problem with "double-imaging" at some shutter speeds with the lens used near 175mm, reportedly mediocre performance near infinity-focus, and the relatively higher price. When it appeared that new stock of the lens had arrived at Amazon (and with that, perhaps some "fixes" had been made), I decided to give it a try. I was attracted by its compact size (which doesn't change with either focusing or zooming), by its reportedly low level of CA, and by its having a power zoom lever (possibly useful while shooting video).What I found with the sample I received was that the image was sharp to the image corners even "wide" open at infinity-focus (and also at close-focus) throughout its zoom range, its distortion level was low, its CA level was also low, its illumination was quite even, and its resistance to flare and ghosting was high. I then checked it with many photos shot at 175mm in the potentially "offending" shutter speed range of 1/60th to 1/200th second. Only one of the photos was not sharp (but it did not show double imaging with in-focus high-contrast edges...). (BTW, this lens that I recently bought from Amazon had the firmware update version 1.1 already installed.) Next, for "fun", I tried some low-light photos at 175mm and f5.6 with the camera used hand-held for 1/10 and 1/15th second exposures at ISO 1600 with the G5. MUCH to my surprise, some of the photos were quite sharp, even when viewed at 100% - and they even looked good otherwise! (I'm still getting over this surprise!) This turned out to be a VERY good lens!I tried adding a Nikon 3T achromatic close-up lens to the front of the zoom (I needed a 46mm-to-52mm step-up adapter ring to do this), and found that this turned the 45-175mm zoom into a useful and sharp macro zoom lens! (BTW, this Nikon 3T achromat also works well on the Panasonic 14-45mm zoom lens without an adapter.) I then tried stacking the 3T and a 5T, which both have the same power) to double the power (I adapted the 5T to the front of the 3T with a 52mm-to-62mm step-up adapter ring). This also worked very well, and it resulted in very high magnification with the zoom set at 175mm.I then tried shooting video with this lens. The G5 is unusual for a camera of its type in having an on-body zoom lever for use with the couple of Panasonic "PZ" lenses available, of which this is one. These PZ lenses have zoom levers, but I found it easier to control zoom smoothness (while keeping the camera steady) if I used the zoom lever on the camera rather than using the one on the lens. The G5 also has (in its menus) additional zooming speed-rate selections making it possible to have the very slow zoom rate that I prefer to use while shooting video. But, this lens is not parfocal (it changes focus with zooming), and there have been a couple of problems resulting from this and with the lens aperture changing with zooming. I will see if I can find ways around these problems, and if successful, I will report my findings here.An additional note: a rattle can be heard as the lens is tilted. This is normal when the power is off (it is not indicative of a fault).I am VERY happy with using this lens for still photography, and I'm hoping to find ways of using it while zooming during the shooting of video.Recommended!UPDATE:I found that by using "Continuous-Focus" set to "On" in the video menus, and with the auto 23-segment AF focus pattern selected, I can get much smoother exposures with zooming while shooting video while using the on-body (G5 and G6) zoom toggle.--DR

I have just gotten into micro 4/3. I was impressed by the reviews of newer micro 4/3 bodies. I am an old 35mm user and I previously had an E-volt 410 which I really liked. But I wanted something smaller and that would capture video. There are some great point and shoots. But I wanted faster focus, crisp and fast shooting, and to have access to a wide variety of lenses and creative control. I also wanted something that took good video.But I also wanted to go light and compact. So here is why in my opinion someone wanting a telephoto for their m43 should consider this over the 45-200. Light and compact. That had to be one of the reasons you went for m43. This weighs I believe 210 grams compared to 380. It is also remarkably compact. It takes astounding video. Probably you went m43 to also have good video capabilities.I watched many YouTube videos of the 45-175 in action compared to the 45-200. You can see a definite edge to the 45-175. It focuses faster when zooming in and out and is a much smoother zoom. The video quality is also professional quality. Well I can say outside I have gotten the best video I have ever shot from cameras and even stand alone camcorders. Panasonic calls these lenses 'HD' and they were designed with pictures AND video in mind. And it shows.Pictures are incredibly detailed and vibrant. I am using a DMC-G3 and outside there is a very fast focus. It locks quickly. I haven't noticed the problems of double images. This lens was shipped with firmware 1.1 so maybe that is why. I was concerned about that but ultimately even if it had been an issue I think the positives and the 95% of the time when it probably would not have been an issue were okay with me. There is good bokeh. I have uploaded a pic of leaves taken the day I got the lens on intelligent auto on the G3. I think pretty impressive.Is the lens perfect? No. Indoors it can hunt for focus and the video is good indoors but not superb like the outdoors. But I did not intend this to be my indoor lens. Don't get me wrong I have taken many good pictures and videos indoors trying out the abilities of the lens, it is just better suited to outdoors.Overall given how light and compact it is, the excellent picture results, and the even better outdoor video, I highly recommend this lens. I feel like I am getting a lens for the next 5 to 10 years of m43 use. I personally like taking video. Maybe because I have a 2.5 year old. So spending a little more for a nano-coated much more compact lens was worth it. Check out the YouTube videos. If video and picture quality is important as well as size and weight this is the definite zoom lens you should get for your m43.

I needed to get another lens for Church and saw this one rated as "like new" at Amazon. I figured with Amazon's policies on product, I had nothing to loose so I took a chance and purchased it. It was delivered yesterday and I put in on one of my cameras and ran it through it's paces. It performed perfectly and I ended up getting it for about $200 less than a new one.