Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 Mega OIS

Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 Handling and features

Despite being quite lightweight and compact, this lens feels very solidly built, being constructed from high quality plastics with a metal lens mount. Even though the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 used for testing is one of the more compact Micro Four Thirds bodies, the lens balances well on it, making handling the lens and camera combination a pleasure.



The zoom doubles the length of the lens as it it is moved to the telephoto end of the range and the action is smooth, not tightening up at any point in the zoom range. Zoom creep isn't an issue as the zoom mechanism has just enough resistance to prevent the lens travelling of its own accord when pointed downwards.



Focusing is performed internally, so the 62mm filter thread does not rotate, making this lens ideal for use with graduated and polarising filters. Autofocus is swift and accurate in all but the darkest conditions and the manual focus ring is well damped, making fine adjustments easy to apply.

The optical image stabiliser allows sharp hand held images to be taken at shutters speeds as low as 1/40sec at 140mm, which is roughly three stops slower than the usual rule of thumb would allow otherwise.

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