will this lens also take close-up pictures?

The M.Zuiko 40~150mm cannot take macro shots, closes focus distance is 0.9m / 2.96ft. If you are interested in macro, Olympus has 2 lenses, a) M.Zuiko ED 60mm f2.8 Macro (max 1:1) and b) M.Zuiko ED 12~50mm (max 1:0.7) 8"~20". Hope this clarifies. You may check out close up pictures taken with the M.Zuiko 40~150mm at my Flickr link http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonytsyong/

Do you prefer a kit lens+40-150 zoom or a 14-150 all in one zoom? ($300 v.s. $500) How about the image quality?

The way you ask the question makes it a little difficult to answer. Which kit lens are you thinking of? If you're thinking of the older 12-50 f3.5-6.3, and you're asking if THAT lens + the 14-150 makes a better kit than the 14-150 super zoom, well, that's hard to say. It's a close call. I would personally still have gone with the two-lens combination, partly because I dislike super zooms. Optically, they may be okay to good, but they're never very good or great, and they're never fast, either. And it has always seemed to me that a large part of the point of buying an interchangeable lens camera is to be able to buy really good, specialized lenses and then change them as necessary. Buying an ILC and sticking a super zoom on it, to me, makes no sense. You'd be better off buying a top-of-the line compact camera with a large zoom range. But I said this was a close call, because the 14-150 looks like a good super zoom, as super zooms go: My guess is it's as good as the 12-50 or the 40-150 optically and only slightly slower at the wide end.On the other hand if you're thinking about the newer 12-40 f2.8 "kit lens", then the answer is much easier: I'd prefer to have the 12-40 f2.8 *even if that was the only lens I could get.* That plus the 40-150 would be a very nice combination. Good luck with your choice.

can you tell me if this lens is the same as a m.zuiko 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 EDR (your model finishes with R only)

You might try asking Olympus directly. I had the following exchange with Olympus a couple months ago -- not sure if this comparison is the same as the one you want:"Thank you for contacting Olympus Technical Support.The "R" or revised version of the lens is the newest one, the difference ismainly cosmetic, as the look of the barrel has been changed to better matchthe look of the newer PEN and OM-D Cameras. Other than that, the opticalquality and formula of the lens is the same as the older version.Best Regards,Olympus Technical SupportOlympus Imaging America Inc.Toll Free Technical Support Hotline 1-888-553-4448 06/04/2013 05:37 SubjectCategory: Digital CamerasModel: M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150 mm f4.0-5.6 RQuestion: What is the difference between this lens (with R) and the samelens without R? Is the one with "R" new and improved? Why would one buyone and not the other? Your special starting June 9 is for the onewithhout the "R" only? I looked at your comparison page, but it does notexplain. I plan to buy one.

ASIN	B0066J6EOU
Best Sellers Rank	#93,661 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #714 in SLR Camera Lenses
Item model number	ED 40-150mm f:4.0-5.6 R
Manufacturer	Olympus
Product Dimensions	8.31 x 6.35 x 6.35 cm; 190 g

OLYMPUS OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R Black For Micro Four Thirds System Camera, 3.75x Zoom Lens, Portable Design

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