With power zoom switches ideal for video work, the latest 14-42mm and 45-175mm G-series lenses look to be the first of a new generation of premium Lumix G lensesu2026

As video capture in the stills camera market becomes more prolific, manufacturers are responding to the uptake and delivering better quality products for enhanced ease of use. The latest PS14042 14-42mm and PS45175 45-175mm Panasonic Lumix G-series lenses both come equipped with power zoom switches on their lens barrels, making them ideal candidates for video work.

The latest 14-42mm lens is a premium, collapsible version of the existing 14-42mm kit lens. With the focus on small size, it’s the world’s smallest collapsible zoom and is an ideal pairing with the latest Panasonic Lumix GF3 Compact System Camera. The lens has Panasonic’s POWER OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) to help steady shots from camera shake and the ‘HD’ designation aligns the lens with the video-targeted range due to its silent focusing.

Constructed of two ED and four aspherical glass elements the latest 14-42mm G-series lens is expected to cost a little more than the current kit lens (final price TBC) and will be first seen packaged up with the GF3x – a more premium kit option of the GF3 Compact System Camera.

The 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6 lens follows a similar suit, including a power zoom switch that’s well placed for steady zooming when capturing video. We had a play with a pre-production model and the small zoom rocker is responsive to light or harder touches, which can control the speed of the zoom process. Also with an ‘HD’ video designation the 45-175mm has silent focusing and POWER OIS and is of a small construction – far smaller than the existing (but comparable) 50-200mm G-series lens. Constructed with two aspherical and two ED glass elements the PS45175 lens also has a Nano Surface Coating to help reduce ghosting and flare. No final word on pricing as yet but more information as and when we have it.