Overview
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Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO
Distant Subjects - Jump To Details
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2
Portraiture - Jump To Details
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
Best for Standard Zoom - Jump To Details
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO
Distant Subjects - Jump To Details
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
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Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO
Distant Subjects - Jump To Details
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO
Low Light - Jump To Details
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro
Macro - Jump To Details
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO
Special Effects - Jump To Details
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH.
Low Light - Jump To Details
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH.
Distant Subjects
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO
Distant SubjectsBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO is the perfect telezoom for Olympus Micro Four Thirds shooters, even though Panasonic owners will be turned off by its lack of in-lens stabilization.Pros
- Edge-to-edge sharpness throughout zoom range.
- No distortion.
- Protected from cold, dust, and splashes.
- Excellent close focus capability.
- Innovative collapsible hood.
- Manual focus clutch system.
- Includes tripod collar.
Cons
- Pricey.
- Lack of optical stabilization an issue for Panasonic Micro Four Thirds shooters.
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2
PortraitureBottom Line:
The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 is the best Micro Four Thirds lens we've seen for portraiture thanks to impeccable sharpness and a wide aperture. It's an easy Editors' Choice.Pros
- Very wide aperture.
- Sharp from edge to edge at f/1.2.
- No distortion.
- Optical stabilization system.
- Physical aperture ring.
- Fantastic build quality.
Cons
- Big.
- Heavy.
- Expensive.
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
Best for Standard ZoomBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens lives up to its moniker, delivering professional results when paired with a Micro Four Thirds camera.Pros
- Maximum f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range.
- Very sharp from edge to edge.
- Focus clutch system.
- Protected from dust, splashes, and cold temperatures.
- Minimal distortion.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Lacks optical image stabilization.
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO
Distant SubjectsBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO is the best telephoto prime lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and it's priced accordingly.Pros
- Sharp optics.
- Extreme telephoto reach.
- Strong image stabilization system.
- Works with 1.4x teleconverter.
- Close focus capability.
- Manual focus clutch.
- Focus limiter switch.
- Weather-sealed.
- Integrated lens hood.
- Includes removable tripod collar.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Heavy.
- Focus can be slow without limiter enabled.
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
Bottom Line:
The Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM is a unique lens that combines an incredibly wide field of view with a zooming design and constant aperture.Pros
- Ultra-wide field of view.
- Maintains f/4 when zoomed.
- Very sharp.
Cons
- Shows some barrel distortion.
- Corner and edge dimness.
- Omits filter support.
- Big and heavy.
- Expensive.
Learn MoreCanon EF 11-24mm f/4L USMOlympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO
Distant SubjectsBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO delivers top-notch optical performance at all but its widest angle, making it one of the best long zoom lenses we've tested.Pros
- 8.3x zoom with constant aperture.
- Crisp optics.
- 1:3 macro capability.
- Protected from dust and splashes.
- Distortion controlled through most of zoom range.
- Manual focus clutch.
- Strong image stabilization.
Cons
- Distortion, edge softness, and dim corners at 12mm.
- Bulky.
- Pricey.
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO
Low LightBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO is an exceptionally sharp, bright, standard-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras.Pros
- Crisp optics with edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Minimal distortion.
- Very wide aperture.
- Manual focus clutch.
- Weather-sealed construction.
Cons
- Bulky.
- Pricey.
- Dim corners at widest aperture.
- Omits optical stabilization.
Learn MoreOlympus M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO ReviewOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro
MacroBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a compact lens that allows you to bring tiny objects into sharp focus.Pros
- 1:1 magnification.
- Minimal distortion.
- Tack-sharp at f/4.
- Focus limiter switch.
- Weather-resistant design.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Soft edges at f/2.8.
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO
Special EffectsBottom Line:
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO is a great choice for fish-eye fans, but it's expensive for a specialized lens.Pros
- Ultra-wide field of view.
- Focuses very close.
- Wide aperture.
- Sealed against dust and moisture.
- Solid build quality.
Cons
- Large.
- No filter support.
- Pricey.
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH.
Low LightBottom Line:
The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. is a sharp, compact lens with a wide aperture and all metal build, but it does exhibit a little bit of distortion.Pros
- Quite sharp.
- Wide aperture.
- Manual aperture ring.
- All-metal build.
- Includes lens hood.
Cons
- Some edge softness unless stopped down.
- Some distortion.
- Pricey.
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH.
Distant SubjectsBottom Line:
The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH. is a wide-aperture telephoto zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras, but its performance suffers at the edges of the frame.Pros
- Optical stabilization.
- Maximum f/2.8 aperture.
- Useful zoom range.
- Compact.
- Internal zoom design.
- No noticeable distortion.
- Protected from dust and moisture.
Cons
- Some edge softness.
- Pricey.
Buying Guide: The Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses for 2020
How to Choose the Right Lens
The First Modern Mirrorless System
Mirrorless cameras were originally developed as lightweight alternatives to SLRs. By eliminating the optical viewfinder and mirror box, and instead using the sensor for a Live View feed and direct autofocus, you can engineer a smaller camera. And because lens designs don't have to be quite as complex, lenses (especially wide-angle optics) can be smaller as well.
Micro Four Thirds is the first modern digital mirrorless camera system, making its debut in late 2008. Because of its long history, open design, and support from multiple manufacturers, it has the largest library of cameras and lenses available of any system.
Olympus and Panasonic are the names most associated with Micro Four Thirds, but other manufactuers have made compatible cameras. BlackMagic leverages the standard for video cameras, DJI and Yuneec use it for drones, and Kodak and YI have joined in with traditional mirrorless cameras that work with all Micro Four Thirds lenses as well.
Early Micro Four Thirds models were a lot slower than SLRs in terms of focus and performance. That's no longer the case. The latest cameras are quick performers, and even better than SLRs at focusing when recording video. You're still giving up the optical viewfinder, but more and more midrange models include integrated electronic viewfinders, and that technology has also improved by leaps and bounds.
Lots of Lens Choices
If you have a Micro Four Thirds camera, you've got a lot of lens choices. Olympus cameras can use Panasonic lenses and vice versa, as well as options from third-party makers like Voigtlander and Sigma. And because the system is so well established, there aren't any glaring omissions in terms of coverage.
Native autofocus lenses are available in focal lenghts from 7 to 400mm. In full-frame equivalent terms, that's 14 through 800mm. Full-frame cameras still have a slight benefit at the most extreme wide angles, with Canon offering the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM ($2,699.00 at Amazon) , but for the most part Micro Four Thirds has you covered.
We've highlighted the best Micro Four Thirds lenses that we've tested here. If you're in the market for a new mirrorless body, take a look at the Best Mirrorless Cameras we've tested.
