Panasonic Lumix 45-150mm f4.0-5.6 - A Pleasant Surprise - Review
A few months ago I bought a Lumix G85 (see my review) from a local camera shop, and it came with this Panasonic Lumix 45-150mm silver lens. I didn’t really have any interest in the lens at first. I owned the Olympus 40-150mm plastic fantastic telephoto lens some time ago, but I never loved that lens. Its cheap plastic body didn’t match the build quality of any of my Olympus cameras.
I expected to put the Lumix 45-150mm on a shelf and forget about it, but that expectation didn’t come to pass. I’ve been using the Panasonic 45-150mm for the past few months and I’ve really been enjoying it. Let me tell you some of the reasons I’ve grown to like it.
I believe I have an old version of this lens. The “HD” text on the lens barrel is a throwback to the early days of mirrorless cameras. The “HD” text has been removed from the current version of this lens.
Build Quality is a Step up from the Kit Zoom Standard
While it isn’t comparable to an Olympus pro zoom, the Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5-5.6 does have an outer metal shell and a smooth turning focus ring. The zoom ring is also very nice and pleasantly dampened. The focus ring on my Olympus 40-150mm was always sticky, but not so with the Panasonic, I successfully used it the other day to manually focus on a dragonfly in mid-air yesterday at 150mm. It may not be a National Geographic shot, but it shows the functionality of a good focus ring.
Image Quality is Better than you Would Expect for the Price
Generally, cheap telephoto lenses lack resolution, contrast, and color, but this one seems to be an exception. I’ve been really impressed with the details this lens resolves even at the long-end of the zoom range. I’m not going to do any technical chart shooting for this mini review, but I have provided sample photos showing the resolution of the lens.
Keep in mind, these photos were taken with a Lumix G85 (G80), definitely not the bleeding-edge of camera technology. No AI was used to improve the photos and no sharpening was added.
Panasonic Lumix G85 with Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 at 126mm f/5.6 (Slightly Cropped)
Panasonic Lumix G85 with Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 at 126mm f/5.6 (Heavily Cropped)
Panasonic Lumix G85 with Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 at 103mm f/5.6 (Slightly Cropped)
Panasonic Lumix G85 with Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 at 103mm f/5.6 (Heavily Cropped)
The Size is Perfect if You are On the Fence About Taking a Telephoto
I’ve got a Sigma 100-400mm for my Fujifilm X-H2, and while it is a stellar lens, its big enough and heavy enough for me to leave it at home most of the time. I would love to have it in my sling bag at all times, but the sacrifice is too great.
If you ever find yourself in the same situation, the Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 could be your solution to getting telephoto shots without adding significant heft to your day. As you’ll see in the photo below, it isn’t too large, even fully extended, and it only weighs 200 grams. In contrast, my X-Mount Sigma 100-400 f/5-6.3 weighs 1135 grams.
Sample Photos
I’ve included some sample photos below before my conclusion and recommendation section.
Conclusion and Recommendation
What higher praise can I give to a lens than to say I intended to leave it on my shelf until its quality convinced me to use it regularly. Its really a great lens, and a great option for someone who is looking for an inexpensive telephoto for the micro four thirds mount.
I would recommend the Panasonic 45-150 f/4-5.6 over the Olympus 40-150mm f/4-5.6.
This lens can be found on Amazon for between $100-200, but it can typically be purchased on the used market for less than $100.
As the title of this article states, the lens is a pleasant surprise, and I think most people will be very happy with it. I am going to continue using it on my Olympus and Panasonic cameras.
Additional Reading
The Olympus E-m1 mark ii Review in 2024 and 2025
Fujifilm X-H2 - Best Hybrid Camera? - Long Term Review in 2025
Review: Sony A7s (the original) - A Great Deal in 2024?
Olympus E-M10 Mark ii Review in 2024 - The Value King
Olympus Pen-F - One and Done Legend? - A Review in 2025
The links on this review are often affiliate links. The affiliate links cost you nothing extra and I get a little commission to help keep this site going… Thanks!
