Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm, ASPH. Power O.I.S.

The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4-5.6 ASPH. Power O.I.S. is a remarkably compact telephoto zoom made specifically for Micro Four Thirds (MFT Mount) digital cameras.

Its 45-175mm focal range gives you a 90-350mm equivalent field of view, providing plenty of reach for portraits, travel, events, wildlife and more distant subjects without carrying a large telephoto lens.

The standout feature is Panasonic's Power Zoom system. Alongside the traditional zoom ring, there's an electronic zoom lever that allows controlled zoom movement. Panasonic specifically designed the system with both still photography and video in mind.

There's also built-in Power O.I.S. optical image stabilisation, which is particularly useful once you're shooting towards the 175mm end of the range. Autofocus is electronic, and the lens uses internal focusing.

At only around 210g, it's an unusually light way to get a 350mm-equivalent field of view, making it particularly well suited to smaller Lumix and other compatible Micro Four Thirds camera bodies.

Best for

• Travel
• Portraits
• Wildlife
• Events
• Outdoor photography
• Video
• Handheld telephoto shooting
• Lightweight Micro Four Thirds kits
• Panasonic Lumix G cameras
• Compatible Olympus / OM System Micro Four Thirds cameras

What to expect

At 45mm, this lens gives a field of view equivalent to approximately 90mm on a 35mm camera, already putting it firmly into short-telephoto territory.

At 175mm, that stretches to approximately 350mm equivalent, giving you considerably more reach for distant subjects.

The maximum aperture changes from f/4 at 45mm to f/5.6 at 175mm. Power O.I.S. helps compensate for camera movement, while the electronic Power Zoom system provides an alternative to manually rotating the zoom ring.

It's also worth noting that this lens does not physically extend while zooming, helping it stay compact and balanced in use.