Panasonic's compact MFT pancake — the 14mm f/2.5 II providing a 28mm equivalent wide-angle.
The Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH. II is the second-generation pancake prime from Panasonic for the Micro Four Thirds system, providing a 28mm full-frame equivalent field of view. It is one of the defining lenses for keeping MFT bodies genuinely pocketable and was released alongside the original Panasonic GF1.
The lens delivers 14mm (28mm equivalent) at f/2.5 maximum aperture with an aspherical optical element for aberration correction, MFT electronic coupling for full autofocus and EXIF communication, and nano-surface coating in the II version for improved flare resistance. Its pancake form factor is the shortest Micro Four Thirds lens by depth.
The 14mm f/2.5 is the canonical MFT walk-around prime when body size is the priority — paired with a GF, GX, or E-PL body, it provides a genuinely compact camera that still delivers interchangeable-lens image quality. The 28mm equivalent perspective is a natural wide-normal field of view suited to street, travel, and casual documentary photography.
Check autofocus speed and accuracy on a compatible MFT body. Inspect the aperture blades for oil contamination. Examine the lens surfaces for cleaning marks — the compact front element is easily touched when handling without a lens cap. Confirm the nano-coating (II version) is intact by checking for even colouring under angled light.