Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45 mm F1.8 Lens, Fast Fixed Focal Length, Suitable for All MFT Cameras (Olympus OM-D & PEN Models, Panasonic G-Series), Silver

Product Information

The Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 is yet another nice addition to the Micro Four Thirds system, even if it wasn’t a focal length that was missing in the lens line-up. The differences between it and the M.Zuiko 45mm are more related to the build quality and optical stabilisation than the optical quality. In the two tables below you’ll see how the Lumix 42.5mm f1.7 compares against the Olympus 45mm f1.8, first in the middle of the frame, then in the corner. Note due to its slightly longer focal length, the Olympus is delivering a slightly tighter field of view and therefore resolving slightly finer details. The thing to look for in the comparisons below are the overall sharpness and contrast.

The 17mm focal length of the M.Zuiko mounted on the micro four-thirds system is almost equivalent to 35mm, the classic documentation focal length. Almost! But even though the difference does not seem particularly big, it is precisely these few millimeters that render a scene even more intimate and personal. You get a feeling of being super close to the action, while still being discreet and staying largely unnoticed by your subject.

Quality

At maximum aperture, this lens already produces excellent resolution in the centre portion of the frame. Towards the edges, the resolution remains very good, which is excellent performance for a wide aperture lens. Stopping the lens down to between f/5.6 and f/8 results in outstanding sharpness across the frame with sharpness in the centre being at its highest at f/5.6. Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. Note: the 42.5mm f/1.7 sample was a pre-production model but fully functional. It was available for people to try at the National Trust event held by Panasonic. Design and ease of use Even without looking at any side by side images, we already know that the internal design of the 45mm PRO is more complex, with 14 elements in 10 groups and 6 special elements. The 45mm, on the other hand, has just 9 elements in 8 groups with 2 special elements. Furthermore, the PRO lens has a 9 blade aperture in comparison to the 7 blades of the f/1.8 lens. Sharpness The manual focusing ring turns smoothly and is a step-up from the manual focusing rings on the kit lenses, but it’s not quite in the same league as the silky smooth manual focusing rings of the Panasonic Leica models including the 45mm f2.8 macro.

Some mild chromatic aberration is present in images taken with both lenses up to around f/2.8 on the 45mm PRO and f/4 on the 45mm f/1.8 but it can be easily removed in post production. Given the cloudy and partially rainy day, I couldn’t test the flare resistance capabilities of this lens. I especially wanted to see if some purple fringing would appear like on many other Micro Four Thirds lenses. I noticed some in low light with artificial light sources like in the picture shown below. DMC-G7, 1/50, f/ 1.7, ISO 1600 Of course, the 45mm f/1.8 isn’t without its merits. Because it is so small and light, it is much easier to transport and can suit any Micro Four Thirds body in the range. It is also four times cheaper than the PRO lens, so unless you regularly shoot portraits and require the best quality Olympus has to offer, it (or its sibling within the Panasonic Lumix range) may prove a more tempting proposition. An interesting (and included) accessory is the DR-40 Decoration Ring: as Olympus states, the ring ''can be used to conceal surface irregularities on the hood mount at the front of the lens and create a sense of unity and coherence.'' Essentially, the lens hood is optional, and you can cover up the mounting points with a prettier ring that matches the finish of the lens.

Main specifications

So, let’s get down to business: Comparing the M.Zuiko and the Leica lenses. Let me start off by saying that this is my purely subjective experience and that I consciously avoid measuring values under laboratory conditions or talking excessively about technical data. I might work as a scientist, but as a photographer, it is my deepest belief that deciding for a lens is rather a matter of personal feelings than technical requirements, as you can easily deduce from my love for 70s glass. I would say that this is a lens worth considering if you have a Panasonic camera and can make use of the optical stabilisation. Otherwise, the Olympus 45mm is still a valid lens and you can find it for less money. The Nocticron is aimed at a professional audience and I would only consider it if you shoot portraits for a living.

Olympus PEN E-PL7 + Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 (1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO200) (Image credit: James Artaius) Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8: Verdict Gorgeous rendering that rivals other classic rangefinder glass like the Contax G Carl Zeiss T* Planar 45. Levels of distortion are also very low, as you might expect for a prime lens like this. Imatest managed to detect 0.215% barrel distortion, which will be very difficult to spot by eye, even with straight lines close to the edges of the frame. Getting a perfect and crisp image this way can be challenging at times, but apart from the advantages of speed, the mere fun of waiting in a good hide-out or walking the streets with an “armed” camera is amazing. For me, this technique feels almost experimental, a bit like in Lomography.

Product Specification

Sometimes shooting with a new focal length can be a challenge - getting used to 'seeing' the photographic opportunities in front of you - but having a proper portrait lens has been genuinely reinvigorating. I wouldn't claim to have suddenly become a great (or even particularly good) portrait photographer but spending a couple of weeks shooting with the 45mm has helped me enjoy photography (and the results I'm getting), more than in a long time. Definitely worth the wait. Sell the kit you’re not using to MPB. Trade in for the kit you need to create. Buy used, spend less and get more. Buy. Sell. Trade. Create.

don’t shoot portraits on a regular basis but want something better than the kit lens that comes with your camera In use the 45mm is an absolute pleasure. Its autofocus is extremely swift - at least as fast as any DSLR/50mm combination I can think of. Critical focus fine-tuning isn't quite as immediate as using an optical viewfinder and a lens with manual focus override, but the PEN Mini is intelligent enough to magnify the selected focus point if you turn focus ring. This 10x magnified view gives better precision than an APS-C viewfinder affords. And, of course, the Mini's choice of 35 AF points and Face Detection gives more control over AF positioning than most DSLRs allow. But what about the pictures?As far as I know, the M.Zuiko is usually a bit cheaper than the Leica. But, it should also be mentioned that the Leica lens is designed by Leica in Germany but manufactured by Panasonic in Japan. If you are willing to pay that bit extra for the illustrious brand name and all it brings with it, this is the lens for you. I find it particularly strong in twilight and night scenes, as well as shady or dark places that I encounter quite often when shooting in the city. Obviously, as with all Leicas, the bokeh is beautiful, harmonious and allows for a great exposure of objects. It’s quite amazing for portraits as well. The first difference to take into account is the size and weight: the 45mm f/1.2 is twice the height of the 45mm f/1.8 and around four times as heavy, making it a better match for larger MFT cameras such as the OM-D E-M1 (pictured above) or E-M1 II. Much of this extra weight is due to its metallic weatherproof build and additional lens elements. Finally, I haven't stated that we believe the manufacturers have responded to our requests (I'm sure if we're requesting it, plenty of other people are too, and I'd hope any company would pay more attention to their broader market research than just making what we recommended).