Question 1

What is the difference between the Olympus 14-42mm II R and the 14-42mm EZ?

Accepted Answer

The II R (this lens) is a traditional barrel-style retractable zoom with a manual zoom ring, while the EZ is a motorised power zoom in a flatter, more pancake-like body. The II R tends to be preferred by photographers who like tactile control over zoom, whereas the EZ is slimmer when attached to the camera and suits one-handed shooting or video. Both share the same f/3.5-5.6 aperture range and Micro Four Thirds mount.

Question 2

Is buying a used Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R worth it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this lens is built around a straightforward optical design with reliable MSC autofocus, so a second-hand copy in good condition performs just as well as a new one. At used prices it's one of the most affordable ways to get a versatile standard zoom for any Micro Four Thirds body. Every item on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually inspected and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, so you're covered if anything unexpected comes up.

Question 3

Does the Olympus 14-42mm II R have image stabilisation?

Accepted Answer

No, the lens itself has no optical image stabilisation. However, most Olympus and OM System bodies — including the E-M5, E-M10, and E-M1 series — feature in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) that works with this lens automatically. So in practice you still get stabilised shots; you just need a compatible body to benefit from it.

Question 4

How close can this lens focus?

Accepted Answer

The minimum focus distance is 0.23m, which is roughly the length of your hand from the front of the lens. That's close enough for product shots, food photography or capturing small details on the road — handy for a travel zoom that you might not want to swap out mid-trip.

Question 5

What filter size does the Olympus 14-42mm II R use?

Accepted Answer

It takes 37mm filters — one of the smaller thread sizes around, which means ND and polarising filters for this lens are generally inexpensive and easy to find. Worth noting if you shoot video or landscapes and want to add filters to your kit.

Question 6

Is the Olympus 14-42mm II R good for video?

Accepted Answer

It handles video surprisingly well for a kit zoom. The MSC (Movie and Stills Compatible) autofocus drive is designed to be quiet and smooth, so you won't hear noisy focus hunting in your audio. The 14–42mm range covers a useful spread of focal lengths for vlogging, travel clips or casual documentary work. Just keep in mind you'll want a body with IBIS for steady handheld footage, since the lens has no built-in stabilisation.

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Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital ED

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