Digital Camera World - UK (2020-04)

ast issue, we tested the

most popular standard

zoom lenses for Canon

and Nikon DSLRs, which

are bundled with DSLR

bodies to form complete

camera kits. We

compared them with more exotic

options, which are available if you

buy your standard zoom separately.

This month, it’s round two, as we

compare kit and upgrade zooms for

Fujifilm, Olympus and Panasonic

crop-sensor cameras, as well as for

Sony full-frame E-mount models.

Kit lenses for crop-sensor mirrorless

cameras often have a retractable

design, making them particularly

compact for stowing away, adding to

the svelte attraction of this type of

camera. Upgrade zooms tend to be

larger and heavier, but usually have

a constant aperture rating that’s

generally about two f/stops faster

at the long end of the zoom range.

That’s great for gaining a tighter

depth of field, as well as fast shutter

speeds under dull lighting. They also

tend to have better build quality and

classier glass. Matthew Richards

L

The contenders

1 Fujifilm Fujinon XC15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ £229/$299

2 Fujifilm Fujinon XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR £949/$1,199

3 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake £255/$224

4 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro £699/$849

5 Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 Asph Mega OIS £259/$317

6 Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4 Asph Power OIS £799/$898

7 Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS £395/$398

8 Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master £1,799/$2,198

Is your ‘kit’ lens good enough, or should

you go for something more fancy?

Standard

zooms for

mirrorless

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