To measure macro performance we photographed a custom chart using the bundled lenses at a distance and focal length which delivered the maximum possible reproduction. The dark lines are 10mm apart and the result is not cropped. Smaller areas are preferred in this test.

The image left was taken with the Olympus E-500 using the 14-45mm Zuiko Digital Lens. Like most bundled Digital SLR lenses, the greatest macro reproduction was achieved with the lens zoomed all the way in – in this case to 45mm. Here the camera captured an area measuring 112x84mm which is noticeably larger then the results from its rivals with their kit lenses. In this respect the 14-45mm is not as good for close-up reproduction.