This Tiny Kit Lens Is Excellent For Travel & Casual Snapshots

I had a short trip home to Kuching, Borneo and I brought along a minimalist setup - Panasonic GM1 and 12-32mm kit lens. I thought the Lumix 12-32mm is such a great lens for travel and casual snapshots!
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0:00 Intro
0:26 Kuching, Borneo
1:30 Images Reel 1
2:00 Right Tool For The Job
2:56 Light & Compact
3:53 Images Reel 2
4:24 Kit Lens Is Awesome
6:54 Images Reel 3
7:24 Olympus 14-42mm
8:16 Extending The Lens
9:28 Images Reel 4
9:56 Conclusion/END
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[@user-vy2if4ik1k]

Great all around pancake kit zoom, haven't compared it to the Panasonic pancake 14-42 Power X zoom yet but unfortunately the Power Zoom had some blurring issues at certain shutter speeds so probably sticking with 12-32. Also I like manual zooming versus power zooming generally and sometimes the 12mm wide end is very handy to have as some of your images demonstrate-thanks for the video, you've made a lot of good ones.

[@AP-RSI]

OMG, the food looks so yummy.... get hungry!

[@petercollins7848]

The image quality of this lens is superb! I use it on my old Panasonic G6 and get results that I print up to A3. It is the photographer that makes the image, not the equipment. Not all images need to be ‘pin sharp’ which seems to be the obsession these days. Sometimes a bit of slightly out of focus detail helps to concentrate the viewer on the main parts of the photograph - a bit similar to vignetting.

[@abchappell01]

I truly enjoyed the video presentation, Robin. Thank you very much. 😊

[@robinwong]

Thanks so much, appreciate that

[@martinpetersen3187]

Inspiring, as always. Have a great week.

[@robinwong]

Thanks, appreciate that.

[@d.r.martin6301]

A surprisingly capable little lens that's quite inexpensive. It was the first lens I got for my EM5 and I've gotten lots of great landscape shots with it. Don't look down your nose at it just because it's a kit lens. I wish it had a little more reach, but at the wide end it's especially useful.

[@robinwong]

yeap, do not underestimate what the kit lens can do!

[@johnyutzey6504]

Thanks for a great video! Absolutely agree for all the reasons you present. My 12-32 stays mounted on my GM5 (I do add a UV filter and hood; we differ on those items). If I want to expand the kit, I add the equally laudable 35-100; for low light, the 20mm pancake prime (although no IS with that lens). All fit in a little bag, including charger and extra batteries. Perfect for travel.

[@IanWheldale]

I have one of these and use it on my EM10 mk3. Last week I went to Bangkok for the day and used this setup with excellent results. Also took my TT Artisans 17mm F1.4 for shots at night.

[@robinwong]

It fits the E-M10 series cameras well too!

[@user-pj1xx4yw4q]

Hi Robin! I'm from Ukraine, I visited Malaysia few times, and Borneo also. I like it very much! I changed my Nikon to GM1 with kit lense and use it for travel with a great pleasure. Now I add Olympus 25 1.8 and totally happy with this two. Thanks for your videos!

[@pauliui78]

I prefer a 20mm f1.7 lens on a gm1 instead of the kit lens. I wish panasonic or oms could come out with a new super tiny camera. Its time for that. 😊

[@robinwong]

The 20mm has too slow AF though

[@someoneelse242]

Use AI and today's noise reduction, HDR. To get more life out of that camera.

[@OpenFilmmaker]

What about the E-P7? Smaller and weighs less than the GX85. Only downside is no EVF, but an OVF can be purchased.

[@westegg]

That's perfect lens to travel for me

[@robinwong]

Agreed

[@mdgdm]

Your photos make me want to visit your country for the food! I use the 12-32 or the Lumix 20 most of the time, on my GX85.

[@ArnaudSiemons]

Immediately fell in love with that lens. Because it made me want to go cook and eat. 😁.

[@sbcwinn]

Robin, I enjoy your photographs. They make me hungry!!!!! LOL.

[@bernym4047]

I want a 2nd camera to carry with me all the time. It needs to be compact to fit in a pocket but also versatile. The 12-32 fits the bill perfectly. Great review. Thanks. Subscribed.

[@laddrob]

Hi Robin, thanks for the video. I haven't used the 12-32, but I use the Lumix 12-60mm 3.5-5.6 which serves the same purpose for me - small, sharp and very light. It's just as sharp as the heavier Pana-Leica 12-60mm 2.8-4.

[@SirIanPost-wz9cl]

Yup. I have several bodies and lenses, but my EDC is an Oly E-PL9 + a Lumix 12-32. Surprisingly good color!

[@robinwong]

That is a nice, compact combo!

[@majaisakszon1475]

I use the following travel kit. Canon EOS M10 with kitlens and 55-200 zoom perfect for anything I want to shoot. And I got rhe 22 mm pancake lens. Which I love.

[@reeshmalms6686]

I have this kit lens which came with my gx85. Its decent sharp and minimal distortion. But within one year, the focal length markings faded away completely. I had to do some DIY engraving line marking and filled those with some white acrylic paint😅. Not that perfect, but gets the job done. But its true that its so tiny and fun to shoot. One girl has commented that the lens looked cute even😂. Wish it stayed close at the wide end focal length and possible to shoot without needing to extent it everytime i turn on the camera, which i do all the time to save battery.

[@leckywoznicki5393]

Thank you :)

[@robinwong]

Thanks Lecky!

[@bitsandblocks7826]

Great video Robin. I love this plastic fantastic lens to travel light, especially when used with GM1 or similar. Plus gives image stabilisation which isn't present in the camera. Sometimes I'll take a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 in my other pocket and still have option of shallow depth of field if I need it in a very lightweight set-up.

[@robinwong]

Thanks! Yes small compact lenses and cameras are the way to go

[@alexaina81]

Very nice shots Robin, as always with you: you are the proof that that's the photographer who makes the différence! I still love and use my GM5 and GX800 with this lens or a little prime for street or everyday photography: excellents and so tiny and discreet... I have recently add a 1" Pana TZ100 for little trips as it offers a 25-250mm eq in almost the same size and very good quality until 1600 iso (but not the same pleasure). And if size or weight are not a concern I do love using my EM10 II, EM1 or EM1 II with bigger lenses... cheers!

[@vermis8344]

This was my kit lens when I bought the GX80, my first interchangeable lens camera. Have to admit I looked down on it because I picked up the received wisdom that 'kit lenses are rubbish' somewhere, and I was more into telephoto for wildlife. (Oh poor naive younger me, who confused the terms 'zoom' and 'telephoto') But when I stopped wishing that it and the GX80 were a specialised long-range setup - and when I watched a few videos like this one! - I started having a lot more fun with both. Although the 12-32 has almost completely migrated to a GF5. (At least until I find a GM1)

[@robinwong]

Yeah a lot of people underestimate what the kit lens can do, I think they are awesome! It was the early days of DSLR, Canon and Nikon made some very poor kit lenses.

[@jmtphotographymedia]

Thanks for making my recent purchase of 12-32 more valid. 😅 I will be testing it extensively on my neighborhood photo walks.

[@robinwong]

Go out and shoot more with it!

[@jmtphotographymedia]

@@robinwong Will do!

[@AgentStarke]

This is why I love micro four thirds so much. You can make your setup so small and light and yet still have something way better than a phone. My GM5 and a handful of small lenses takes up one little pocket in my backpack and weighs basically nothing. Meanwhile my full frame and two lenses takes up the entire thing and weighs a ton.

[@robinwong]

Yeah, small, light and versatile, yet we get great results!

[@armanddimeo6575]

I bought this lens for less than 100 USD based on your earlier recommendation. I am amazed by how good the image quality is for a kit zoom. Build quality would probably not stand up to daily hard use but it is great for casual shooting.

[@robinwong]

Image quality is great, but yeah the build however is questionable.

[@robtheaccountant]

Happy Monday Robin.

[@robinwong]

Hey Rob wassup

[@robtheaccountant]

@@robinwong Robin, who needs TV when you have real world interactions. The only downside is the pressure its puts on the content producer. Channels are like a Netflix series you can binge the crap out of it. Glad to see you are well my friend.

[@yonseimatt]

100% agree with everything you've said, and can confirm. I have exactly the same combo but it's my second copy of the lens (the first got knocked quite gently while extended, and was damaged beyond repair- it's *very* fragile) and the zoom action on this second lens feels gritty and horrible. Love the pictures I get with it though. I'm more of a prime kinda guy so the lens which is more or less permanently on the GM1 is the 14mm f2.5, which punches well above its weight for IQ and is similarly tiny, or occasionally a 7.5mm f2.8 manual focus fisheye since I don't have any other M4/3 bodies anymore apart from the GM1 (I've migrated to Fuji, but my wife still shoots her Em-10). Can't bring myself to pass it on, it's so tiny and convenient for travel. Great content, as always!

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the kind words. And yes the 14mm F2.5 is a great little lens to be paired with smaller cameras too.

[@eprohoda]

Bonjour- Bravo, beautiful content~ sleep well,

[@robinwong]

Thanks!

[@omerfar]

Lumix LX 15 is the King for such a trip.

[@kwok-penglooi799]

Hi Robin, love the food photos; looks so yummy. Must go to Kuching to try soon. For light and pocketable, I use the Lumix GX7 and the Lumix 20mm 1.7. Your 12-32mm is more versatile. I also have the Oly 12-40 2.8 Pro, but like you said, that's a lot bigger then the Lumix 20mm. Wah, kopi with butter, now you have me craving :)

[@robinwong]

Oh yes you must come to Kuching, lots of food to explore!

[@nunoc]

I often use a 12-32 kit lens on the Lumix GF8 when taking casual photos, or go out on the street with only the Lumix LX10. I feel light and free as much as I take out big and heavy equipment.

[@robinwong]

Amazing combo, and the LX10 is also a great camera.

[@waynebeaumont3274]

I bought this exact setup years ago when the GM1 went on sale after being discontinued. I've never found an alternative to this every day carry setup. The nice thing is, I don't feel I'm giving up any quality when I use this camera for casual photography. Sure my E-M1.3 has more features but when looking at the images, you can't look at one and say 'oh, that was taken with the GM1 and the 12-32'.

[@robinwong]

That is true, a lot of times we forget what tools we used and just look at images.

[@dangir1783]

I followed the presentation of the Panasonic G9 Mark 2 and I am extremely happy that the micro 4/3 is alive more than ever Plus the machine looks great on technical specs. If this was possible it is only thanks to photographers like you Robin Wong who have always believed in the micro four thirds system when everyone gave it up for dead Thank you for existing

[@dangir1783]

Now I expect a smaller and more compact version like a gx9 Mark II that uses the same hardware and above all that Olympus competes with an equally good product.

[@mirrorlessreflections]

I saw your video on the GM1 and at the time I was looking for a small camera to take out discreetly to music events. I already had the 12-32 and have since got a 35-100 f4-5.6, tiniest combo you can find I reckon! Yes, they aren't the brightest lenses but that little camera is a beast in low light (the RAW images take very little to clean them up if needed). Thanks for the recommendation 👍

[@robinwong]

Indeed the GM1 is so small it is easy to sneak them into places!

[@jeffdrew625]

My preferred casual travel rig: Pen-f D with mzuiko 14-42ez pancake and LUMIX g 20mm f1.7ii pancake. I love your food shots but now I’m hungry! 👋

[@robinwong]

Go get something to chew!

[@Bunnyisms]

We need to do a kit lens challenge. Everyone need to use a kit lens for a month. Or just a photo contest where people need to use their kit lens to submit the photo I remember I had one friend who had the 18-55mm Nikon kit lens and kept complaining and complaining about it, but my other friend had the same kit lens and she just used that and got lots of beautiful photos and even got paid for some of them

[@santiks]

This is mounted on my E-M1 as my leisure family camera.

[@robinwong]

Not a bad combo!

[@StarrysLostandFound]

Wow! No wonder you ate too much good food. Sounds like a great EDC camera lens combo.

[@robinwong]

We have great food here!

[@simonatterbury]

I bought one from amazon in 2020 for use with a specific camera but lack of manual focus did cause some issues. It had a new lease of life when pared with my original E-PM1 where auto focus is pretty much required. This minimalist set up is great for street photography documenting nights out with friends and any scenario where you want to travel light and not be too obvious. Got some great stills from this set up.Also have the Olympus 14-42 pancake but you can zoom faster on the Lumix if you need to fast compose a shot. Might take this out on Wednesday in London now seen your vid.

[@robinwong]

The AF on any Micro Four Thirds bodies are so amazing, I don't think I'd use manual focus on the 12-32mm lens

[@simonatterbury]

Agreed but some times a scene has multiple focus targets or very dark so little contrast and you just want to nail it.I wouldn't use the lens on my EM1 MKII but for causal shooting its great. @@robinwong

[@Kizarat]

This lens came bundled with my GX85 along with the Panasonic 45-150mm lens and I'm honestly blown away by the image quality of the lens.

[@robinwong]

Yeap, it punches above its weight.

[@skfineshriber]

The 12-32 is remarkably good optically and I can’t think of another tiny, collapsible zoom with IS! Having to extend it does not bother me. You get great pictures with it.

[@YELLERR]

I definitely find this lens sharper than the olympus 14-42 ez. i love it, its great with the auto lens cap, makes it even faster to get out and shoot without worrying about dust

[@robinwong]

I don't need lens cap, so no issue there, but my Olympus 14-42mm is sharper.

[@bigwilliearmitage]

I have this lens from a GX-85 purchase and agree with everything you say in the video. However, I like a wider perspective and the ultra wide lens in my Pixel phone is excellent. So, shocked to say that my phone is my new lightweight travel choice. Hard to believe I said that, but it's just so handy and gives terrific results.

[@robinwong]

I for one, do not like the ultra wide perspective. It is useful in some cases where you do need to fit more in a limited working space, but other than that for normal shots it makes them look gimmicky. I'd rather have the lens zoomed to 25mm for more "normal" natural looking perspective.

[@rumrill5020]

Thanks for the review. Now, unfortunately, I want a GM1.

[@JP4drumsFarrell]

Hey Robin use this on the 12 to 32 without a filter . Simple and effective OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS LC-37C

[@tedphillips2951]

I so agree about traveling light with a capable camera & lens. Shallow depth of field has become so tiresome. Yes for certain subjects it is great but I think for most situations that is not the case. Get the moment that is the important thing. My choice is the Olympus OM 10 IV with 14-45 & auto lens cap. Slightly larger & I hate the electronic zoom but it works for me.

[@robinwong]

I for one, don't hate the electronic zoom. Better than having to extend the lens manually every single time, and collapsing it after use. It gets tiresome.

[@IIjlI]

I carried a bag around three or four times, and looking back, I felt silly not using but one camera and one lens. Unless I know I'm doing shooting for work, I limit myself to one camera and lens, using a difference camera every day. Saves my back now days, and my legs.

[@robinwong]

Yeah, minimalist is the way to go!

[@salat]

Have two of those exact kit lenses - they're quite small and are good for a kit lens (but nowhere near the new standard of kit lenses: Panasonic's 20-60 kit for L-Mount) , but having to extend manually can be a bit too much hassle when I give them unexperienced photographers (kids, etc.). Got myself a well priced used Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Power O.I.S. for those cases. As a power zoom this one extends automatically and is quite newbie proof..

[@bitsandblocks7826]

I had the PZ, sold it as I tended to choose 12-32 over it as I preferred a bit wider vs a bit longer. I've got used to extending the lens. PZ is nice it remembers your last focal length and returns to that when turned on if enable setting on Lumix cameras.

[@tcchip]

It's one of the very few kit lenses that starts at 24mm equivalent. Yes, you do lose 20mm at the telephoto end, but you'd be surprised how much more difference having extra 4mm at the wide end is over 20mm at the telephoto end. And the lens IS is a nice extra though. It's not anywhere near what an Olympus body can do but it does help on a Panasonic body. I use this lens much more than the 14-42, even though optically the latter is equally good if not better simply because having such a compact lens and an extra 4mm just makes it really convenient to bring around. It's like you said, if I was just bringing one lens out and it has to be the most compact one, this checks all the boxes.

[@robinwong]

I have no issues with the 14-42mm focal length coverage, 14mm is plenty wide for me to work with for casual shooting. However, the lens IS can be a lifesaver when used in cameras with no body IS. Such as the GM1.

[@zenlife1200]

These days I shoot mostly with a couple of primes but I always have room in my bag for this lens in case I need the 12mm. I also keep the Panasonic 35-100mm kit lens in my bag for the odd moment that I need a longer reach. They are both so small and light, they’re no bother to carry on trips out. The only thing that has really bothered me about the 12-32mm lens is the tiny lens cap. At 37mm it’s so small I kept losing it in my pocket or bag. I saw a tip online to add a 37-52mm step up ring on the front of the lens and use a 52mm lens cap instead. It adds a little bit to the length of the lens but makes the cap the same diameter as the rest of the lens. Much less fiddly and the ring is so shallow it doesn’t affect the images.

[@robinwong]

I have no issues with losing the lens cap. I don't use it.

[@MarchalisVan]

These all easily fit in my bag and are my fav for very casual travel, i'll usually only take one, but i'll sometimes chuck in the prime as it's soooo light. From lightest to heaviest. Oly 25mm F1.8, Panny 12-35mm F2.8, Oly 12-200mm 3.5-6.3. Some people prefer a wider prime than the 25mm but I think those are great options for travel. Remember, Travel pictures are about people and landscapes, but mostly you should be able to see where you and your friends/family are. So big blurry backgrounds aren't needed at all, but a very small low light prime, can help a lot for drinks and chat sessions in poorly lit night time places :) Those pancake zooms have just never done it for me... I really like the idea of them though, but I end up comparing it to a panasonic Tz220 which is smaller, has way more reach, and gets about the same image quality, so I may as well just take that :S

[@robinwong]

I love the pancake zooms though, they give great results, people often underestimate them, but they work so well, better than any compacts with fixed zoom lenses out there.

[@MarchalisVan]

Love to see a fun walkabout comparison with a 1inch tiny modern compact zoom and the m43 pancake zooms from you. I imagine the results to be very similar but different perks :)@@robinwong

[@shiouming]

Great video Robin! An off-topic question about the photo at 7:01, the noise level is really impressive at ISO6400. Is that achievable with jpeg from this camera? or must do RAW processing? I never use any system camera before, what you produce with this small mirrorless is really cool and inspiring

[@msadurski]

I agree. This is a great lens. I use it with a Lumix GM5. The only thing I do not like in this lens it is so plasticky and rather fragile. My “minimalist setup” is Lumix GM5 camera plus this Lumix 12-32 plus Olympus Body Cap 9mm. My extended minimalist setup consist of Lumix GM5, Lumix 12-32, Lumix 35-100, samyang 7.5 fisheye and jupiter-8 for portraits.

[@Leptospirosi]

My minimalist kit for travel is this lens, the 35-100mm 4.0-5.6 and the 20mm 1.7 If I go out at night or I need to take interior photos: I can fit the whole kit in a jacket and be fine with that.

[@bitsandblocks7826]

I do exactly the same, works a treat.

[@zenlife1200]

Same except I sometimes also add the 30mm macro to my bag for travel. Depends where I’m going.

[@robinwong]

Wah my minimalist means one camera and one lens!

[@rudinhopsg]

My 14-42R broke, Yesterday bought one, second hand, silver color for whopping 63€. My oly kit was rather bad copy, quite soft. I'm pleased how sharp the 12-32 in the center

[@robinwong]

The 14-42mm and 12-32mm are quite similar in terms of sharpness. My copies show the Olympus to have a slight advantage, but honestly in real life, the difference is negligible.

[@perryphua]

Hi can i ask is it this lens ois work with oly em10 m3 sensor stablelizer?

[@kennyk4134]

Hi robin .ive just started macro photography i have the om-d e-m1 mark ii and the 60mm macro lens .im loving the focus peaking feature as it helps me greatly. The problem i find is when 8m using peaking and i half press the shutter the peaking no loger works .is there a setting i can change so peaking keeps working.

[@fredericeeckman3002]

I use mine on an omd em1 mk1, is it better to prioritize the stzbilization od the lens or the one frome the body ? 🤔

[@leunghoi530]

Using my GM5, I usually stick with 14 & 20 pancake. That's pretty good enough for me. While 14-42 pancake will stay with my Pen-f coz it has much better I.S.

[@robinwong]

I'd just say minimalist and carry one lens. Then the 12-32mm makes more sense.

[@tormentisaeternum]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the new Panasonic G9II.

[@robinwong]

Nothing much to say at this point, but to read available reviews out therel

[@alessandrorusso6634]

Hey Robin! In your opinion, how does it compare to the 14 mm f2.5?

[@leduke8989]

So, with Olympus E-P7 I just purchased and if only ONE to choose, which one do you choose? Lumix 12-32mm or Olympus 14-42 ? (even there was a fact that Olympus 14-42mm had a cable trouble)

[@perryphua]

Hi Robin , can i ask is it this lens ois work with oly em10 m3 sensor stablelizer?

[@sherwinclarencego1933]

One major reason I like the 12-32 vs the Oly 14-42 is that one has mechanical zoom so you can be more controlled on how it zooms. Electronic zooms are finnicky. Mechanical zooms are also more reliable and durable long term. If the motor of an electric zoom fails then you pretty much have to just get a new lens as repairs are not worth it given how cheap kit lenses are. I just wish it just had just a touch more range though. Oh well, can't get everything.

[@damsjs6866]

Yes, the electronic zoom on my Oly 14-42 died twice (first time I got it repaired). I'll never buy an electronic zoom again. They just don't last.

[@robinwong]

I have no issues getting precise zooming with the electronic zoom. However, mechanical zooms are NOT more durable. I have seen (and heard several times) the 12-32mm being destroyed by turning the zoom ring the wrong way. And the issue with the flex cable inside the folding mechanism, is also very easily damaged. The point is - none of these kit lenses are made to last. The 12-32mm can die before my 14-42mm.

[@nwjonathans4642]

Hi Robin, would you prefer the pana 12-32mm or the olympus 14-42mm lens? Thanks.

[@kinchitsingh4829]

How can I use lumix 50 mm lens with gx100 body ?

[@paluypetualangborneo359]

Lumix 12-32mm memang lebih bagus hasilnya dan pleksibel juga awet

[@MarcioK]

I've moved to other format, but kept my GH2 and E-P1, and this lens and the Oly 45mm f/1.8. It is a little gem of a zoom.

[@robinwong]

Both the kit lens and the Olympus 45mm are great lenses

[@numbersix8919]

Yes for travel I agree! Robin please answer this question. Some of these photos were so good I would say they NAILED it! My question is does the GM1 have the same sensor as the P3/PL3???? (I don't have a GM1 but I do have a PL3 and man is it small for what it can do!)

[@robinwong]

Nope, E-PL3 has the 1st gen Micro 4/3 sensor, while the GM1 has the second gen 16MP sensor.

[@numbersix8919]

@robinwong Thanks again! BTW, the sound was great on your live stream after turning off noise reduction or whatever it was.

[@FDMedic78]

My main camera is a Canon 6d Mark II. I have a lot of lenses for that camera. I have 2 zoom lenses I carry with me. 150-600 and 70-200 Tamron lenses. I shoot wildlife photography. I wish I had a smaller system, I like what I have. Yes, it is a pain to bring 50 lbs of gear with me when I go. When I do street photography, I have a Canon 40mm f2.8 lens and my Samsung TL500 f1.8 point and shoot. I lighten the load a lot.

[@robinwong]

Maybe you can give Micro Four Thirds system a try! A GM1 and 12-32mm to start, tiny combo you won't notice they were there with you.

[@FDMedic78]

@robinwong I do have an Olympus E600. I do like that camera. Eventually, I would like to have a M4/3 system as my main camera. I might have to look into a smaller M4/3 camera like the one in your video.

[@FelipANadal]

Oh, my god, I am hungry now😂

[@robinwong]

Go get some noms!

[@obscurelight]

Hey robin. Mind me asking your opinion about the Panasonic lumix g100 ? Thanks for the review.😊

[@robinwong]

No body IS no go! Unless I can get one super cheap.

[@obscurelight]

@@robinwong I get it. Thanks Robin 🤩

[@cityproofdad]

that was kit lens with my gx80 and is amazing quality photos way better the sony kit lens i had with sony nex 7

[@chrisbrown6432]

Hello Robin. You once did a video where you compared this lens to the Olympus pancake 14-42mm lens and said the Olympus lens was better image quality on the Olympus camera than this Panasonic lens. Do you still think that the Olympus pancake lens on the Olympus camera has better image quality than the Panasonic lens on the Panasonic GM1 camera ?

[@UATapik]

Good day, may I ask you what bag is shown at the 3:17 time mark? Thank you!

[@robinwong]

Some cheap messeger bag I got from Lazada (online shopping platform). Quite a generic design

[@terrynoon8467]

Robin, I have just been listening to one of your live chats about the Panasonic G9ii. Unfortunately I rarely am able to see your video live but get to it a few hours later. However, you seem to make them private and unreachable after a short while. Could you make them available longer in future so I can hear what you have to say? Cheers.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Terry for tuning in. That stream was experimental and the audio was just not good enough. People did complain about the dropping in and out so I did not feel that it was the right thing to have the video remain seen, as it felt very poorly made. I hope you understand.

[@terrynoon8467]

@@robinwong Sure thing Robin, I understand. Looking forward to future streams which I will do my best to get to live if I can. Cheers .

[@peterwells6772]

What happens if I pop this lens on a body that already has ibis like Lumix gx85??

[@robinwong]

You choose which IS to use. I'd think the body IS is better.

[@yassassinfo]

Kota Kinabalu is a paradice.

[@LDRO]

it's SO slow at 32mm though... 😥 i absolutely love it on my GX80 but 5.6 on a micro 4/3 looks like f11 on full frame, for someone who likes the 40-70mm range the depth of field is often too deep for my taste; great 2nd camera for travelling paired with a film SLR with a fast fifty tbh, that way you have an option for smaller dof i'd like to see a 12-32 pro version with a collapsible design but that opens from f1.2 to 3.5 or something

[@ianparr1533]

The 25mm f/1.7 or 35-100mm collapsible zoom should cover your scenario and aren't expensive. I use them with the 12-32 as a casual travel kit.

[@robinwong]

Asking a budget kit lens to have F1.2, is a bit too far a stretch

[@LDRO]

@@robinwong oh i don't want it to be budget, i'd like a premium version of that lens basically

[@housemusic325]

Did the 12-32 suffer from the same fragility of the Olympus 14-42 ? I did get two of them and both broke because of fragile ribbon cable broken inside the lens rendering it useless.

[@rebirth2526]

I use 12-32mm about 4-5 years and no issue at all except it feel plasticky. The fragility from broken cable is usually come from electronic zoom lens like Olympus 14-42mm.

[@robinwong]

I have heard both 12-32mm and 14-42mm broken over different kinds of reasons. Both are equally fragile.

[@rebirth2526]

I kind of curious to compare IQ with 1 inch sensor lens (especially Panasonic own LX10). Does 12-32mm kit lens on M43 provide better IQ to 1 inch sensor lens especially in low light? I also follow Markuspix's advice to always carry the pancake kit lens as a backup lens which come to handy sometimes. I also start using your trick to help on lens caps issue by attach lens filter before the photo trip for quicker operation.

[@bitsandblocks7826]

I have a 1" sensor TZ100 and 12-32 with MFT camera. If mostly sharing online IQ difference won't matter. The DoF is greater with the smaller 1" sensor so less scope for blurry backgrounds at same aperture if that's your bag. GM1 or similar gives opportunity to change lens which gives more creativity options. The 1" cameras are more pocketable and the best camera is one you have with you (for most their phone).

[@ianparr1533]

Low light is all about the lens so an interchangeable lens camera will deliver better low light images when paired with a fast lens like the Panasonic f/1.7 primes.

[@bitsandblocks7826]

@@ianparr1533 the LX10 has an f1.4 lens so is great in low light. Just less good at shallow DoF due to smaller sensor.

[@ianparr1533]

@@bitsandblocks7826 Yes it is good for a compact camera and will collect more light than the 12-32 on MFT. But don't forget that the LX-10 lens is f/2.8 at the long end and is a 8.8-26.4mm, so something like a 45mm f/1.8 on a MFT camera will collect a lot more light than the 26mm f2.8 that you get with the LX-10.

[@bitsandblocks7826]

@@ianparr1533 i agree, I own the Olympus 45mm 1.8 and love it. The primes though aren't stabilised and neither are the GM1 or GX8xx tiny bodies. The LX10 has 5 axis stabilisation which will counteract the 1.5 stop light gathering difference with still subjects. They are both valid choices for different use cases. Hence I own both. Neither is better but tend to use primes on my GX85 or G9 bodies with IBIS. GX85 + 20mm f1.7 is coat pocket vs LX10 is jeans pocket.😀

[@Seraphim0009]

I have both Pana 12-32 and Oly 14-42ez, The Pana one is more preferable for photo for being wider, and mannual zoom is much more direct to operate. Yet both kit lens are not so durable that I had re-purchased both.

[@chainsov]

instead of this camera / single lens combo I would rather take a Panasonic LX100 24-75mm 1.7-2.8, while similar in thickness and a bit heavier, the lens is much faster, has much more reach and a macro-ish mode.

[@bitsandblocks7826]

I had an LX100 loved it for same reasons you do but that camera sucks in dust and I got fed up paying $$$ for the sensor to be cleaned.

[@emilianoramos4386]

Agreed, but Robin's proposal is much more budget friendly than the lx 100. I personally would prefer the EM10.2, bit bigger but so much nicer to my eyes that would compensate for the bigger body and higher weight.

[@robinwong]

The LX100 has its own issues. The sensor is not fully used, the lens is not great (compromise of making it small and collapsible to fit), the color science isn't great (did not experience that with GM1), the EVF is bad, and overall the shooting experience was not good for me. It was not the camera that I want to pick up to go out and shoot.

[@busydadscooking001]

Your sample shots, no noise at 3200! How? :D

[@robinwong]

Because they were not zoomed in. If you pixel peep, the noise is there.

[@mattvangelder4547]

I liked the lens until the zoom dial broke one week after buying it!

[@AndriB-pj5zj]

im carry 1 body with kit lens and 1 body with fix lens, always. i don like to swap lens. ☺

[@robinwong]

Depends on how minimalist you want to go. My minimalist is one body and one lens, so no swapping lens at all.

[@AndriB-pj5zj]

@@robinwong oke

[@mikes4408]

Great pics. Food looks great BUT I'm a big guy and would starve to death. 😁😇 @wb2pics

[@robinwong]

Oh there is so much food to eat, you won't starve

[@jilow6356]

Just buy a Samsung S23 ultra and not only will you have a phone but a great camera.

[@robinwong]

S23 Ultra = RM6k? 12-32mm lens = RM300 (used market). I don't have to tell you how irrelevant your suggestion is.