The lens supports the continuous AF/AE function of the contrast AF system for both photos and movies. In addition, thanks to an inner focus direct-drive linear motor, this lens enables smooth, silent operation of its fast and accurate focusing. When recording still pictures, this lens also supports an AF Tracking, a Face Recognition function and more, for more convenient, more enjoyable shooting.

The lens system uses 4 aspherical lenses and 2 ED lenses to achieve dramatic downsizing despite its a wide and long zoom range of 14-140mm (35mm film camera equivalent: 28-280mm), while minimizing distortion and chromatic aberration. This lens suits a large variety of shooting situations, from scenery to portraits or telephoto shots, in a surprisingly compact and lightweight body.

The lens incorporates Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which makes it easy to shoot clear shots even in telephoto range or in dimly lit places without using a tripod by suppressing the blur commonly caused by a hand shake.

7 diaphragm blades of circular aperture diaphragm give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings in both photos and movies*. It also features a highly reliable metal mount, and uses multi-coated lens elements that minimize ghosts and flare to further enhance its optical performance. *For the DMC-GH1 only.

The Micro Four Thirds System standard made it possible to achieve its compact size and light weight body. Despite its extremely compact size and superb optical performance, this lens brings out the full capabilities of the 4/3-type image sensor, achieves smoother Live View in superb combination with camera’s body and allows a variety of unique features such as the contrast AF function of the DMC-GH1 and DMC-G1.