• Home
  • Reviews Index
  • Best Gear
  • Inspiration
  • Learn
  • Disclaimer
  • Staff/Contact Info
  • Media Kit
  • Membership
Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Features Presented By

The Best OM System Lenses for Professional Photographers

Chris Gampat
No Comments
09/28/2022
8 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer OM System 20mm f1.4 Review product images 2.81-640s800

OM SYSTEM users are pretty lucky. Not only do they have one of the most unique and innovative cameras on the market in the form of the OM1, but they’ve also got access to a slew of fantastic lenses. Formerly Olympus, OM SYSTEM lenses cover a very broad range. Lots of them have IP-rated durability for hiking or even just ensuring that your product will last a few extra years. Couple that with the AI and computational photography built into their cameras, and you’ve got a winning combo. We’re rounding up some of the best OM SYSTEM lenses for professional photographers. And we’ve also reviewed them all!

This piece is presented in partnership with OM SYSTEM. We’ve independently and ethically reviewed all the products in this post already without sponsorship. And we worked with them to recommend a few key gems to you.

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Table of Contents

  • How to Use This Guide to OM SYSTEM Lenses
  • M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14MM F2.8 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 8mm f1.8 Fisheye PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 8-25mm f4 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 12-40mm f2.8 PRO II
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 12-45mm f4 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 12-100mm f4 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 17mm f1.2 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 20mm f1.4 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 25mm f1.2 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 40-150mm f2.8 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 40-150mm f4 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 45mm f1.2 PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO ED 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS
    • Best For
    • But How is it?
  • M.ZUIKO 300mm f4 IS PRO
    • Best For
    • But How is it?

How to Use This Guide to OM SYSTEM Lenses

Here’s some insight into how to use this guide to the best OM SYSTEM lenses for professional photographers and passionate photographers who love the system:

  • This list of OM SYSTEM lenses is brought to you by OM SYSTEM. It also still abides by our Editorial Policies. We won’t ever talk about a lens or product that we haven’t touched. And to that end, this roundup contains only the OM SYSTEM lenses we’ve reviewed. Luckily, we’ve reviewed all the PRO grade lenses.
  • We shot all the product images and sample images in this roundup. So rest assured: we actually used them and you can trust the experts at The Phoblographer.
  • These are Micro Four Thirds lenses. To get the full-frame equivalent, double the focal length.
  • Pairing these OM SYSTEM lenses with cameras that have computational photography like the OM SYSTEM OM-1 produces a ton of potential. There’s the Live ND feature, which helps you not need to stop the lens down and therefore prevents diffraction. Then there’s Live Composite, which does what pretty much no other camera system can for astrophotography and more.
  • Four Thirds is a trendy format right now. Watch a lot of Netflix shows, and you’ll see that they’re purposely letterboxing the sides to give it that look at times.
  • These OM SYSTEM lenses have different additions to the naming like IS and PRO. PRO designates their highest end lenses. IS stands for image stabilization.
  • We’ve ordered this list of OM SYSTEM lenses from widest to most telephoto. 

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14MM F2.8 PRO

Best For

Landscapes, astrophotography, architecture, cityscapes, and so much more.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO is a stellar lens when it comes to image quality. Quite obviously, it’s designed for wide angle shooting: landscapes, architecture, interiors, and at the longer end you can probably squeeze in a portrait or two if you don’t position the subject near the edges.

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 8mm f1.8 Fisheye PRO

Best For

Fun landscapes!

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“There isn’t much to say about the Olympus 8mm f1.8 Pro Fisheye lens that these images don’t say for themselves. Olympus optics have always been known for being very sharp, rendering lots of details, and focusing quickly. Quite honestly, they have so many things about them that make them perfect.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 8-25mm f4 PRO

Best For

General photography

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“One of my favorite perks of the OM SYSTEM is that it’s easier to get up close. The M.ZUIKO 8-25mm f4 Pro can focus as close as nine inches from the front of the lens for all focal lengths. That’s stellar for a wide-angle lens and, at the 25mm end, offers some great versatility for close-ups. The Starry Sky AF feature on the OM-D E-M1 Mark III also works with this lens.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 12-40mm f2.8 PRO II

Best For

General Photography

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“The colors from the OM SYSTEM 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II are nothing to complain about. They’re very nice. Overexpose by a stop and you’ll get these beautiful, muted colors so popular with film photographers. Expose perfectly according to a light meter and the colors will just pop out at you. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with this lens’s colors.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 12-45mm f4 PRO

Best For

General photography

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“The M.ZUIKO 12-45mm f4 PRO has autofocus that is very quick. That is thanks to the lightweight lens elements on the inside. Tack onto that the speed the EM1 Mk III delivers and you’re pretty solid for having a walkaround lens. Again, due to the depth of field basically being f8, you don’t have a lot to complain about. Missing the shot will be tough unless you’re trying to track a moving subject.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 12-100mm f4 PRO

Best For

General Photography

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“Now that we’re talking about autofocus just a bit, what I really like about the M.ZUIKO 12-100mm f4 PRO is just how closely it can focus when zoomed in. It guarantees a lot of great bokeh and you never have to stop down. Additionally, the lens is really speedy.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 17mm f1.2 PRO

Best For

General photography and low light photography.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“The M.ZUIKO 17mm F1.2 PRO is about as smooth of a lens to use as any other in this day and age. If you prefer manual focus, you can do that easily. If you prefer to just slap the lens on your camera, throw it into auto mode, and snap away on a family vacation, you can do that too. This lens has no issues we ran into when it comes to ease of use, with the one exception being the manual focus mechanism that we noted in the build quality section.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 20mm f1.4 PRO

Best For

General purpose photography. It’s essentially a 40mm f2 lens.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“Oh, man! The image quality from this lens is a two-component thing. Purely by itself, you’ll never want to stop it down. OM Digital Solutions (OMDS) says the bokeh is “feathered.” And that sort of makes sense. I think it’s just creamy and gorgeous. If you’re a Fujifilm shooter, it looks like the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 original. That lens has a Sonnar type design, but I don’t think the OM SYSTEM 20mm f1.4 has that. It’s also very sharp. And while there’s a minor issue with purple fringing, I believe this can be fixed in post-production or wholly negated.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 25mm f1.2 PRO

Best For

Low light photography.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“Landscape, street, and outdoor photographers are going to love this lens. During our tests, we took the lens out into the rain in NYC. When coupled with the OMD series of cameras, the lens withstood any sort of harassment that Mother Nature decided to dump on it. That means if you’re out camping for a while and the weather takes a turn for the worse, this lens will be able to handle it with ease.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 40-150mm f2.8 PRO

Best For

Birding, portraits, weddings, sports, and events.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“The M.ZUIKO 40-150mm f2.8 PRO exhibits exceptional image quality that is sharp, contrasty, and detailed: enough to give any Micro Four Thirds user exactly what they want. In some events, like shooting portraits, it’s easy to say it can be too sharp. Of any Olympus lens we’ve tested, this one has given us the best results, understandably too for the price point!”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 40-150mm f4 PRO

Best For

Birds, dogs, and anything that runs around like a maniac.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“Size isn’t the only innovation here. While weather-sealing is common, few lenses go through the tests to gain an IP rating that specifies just how much abuse it can withstand. The M.ZUIKO 40-150mm f4 has an IP53 rating. That means it’s tested for dust without harmful deposits and tested against water sprays up to 60 degrees from a vertical spray. OM Solutions also says it’s freeze-proof as well.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 45mm f1.2 PRO

Best For

Portrait photographers and landscape shooters.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“Speaking of the autofocus, the M.ZUIKO 45mm f1.2 PRO is an excellent performer, being able to track subjects accurately and achieve critical focus fast. This lens is certainly faster focusing than what most APS-C and Full Frame f1.2 lenses are capable of. It not only has a size (smaller elements to move) benefit on its side but also the depth of field.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO ED 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS

Best For

Birding and sports.

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“The M.ZUIKO 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS is a snappy performer when it comes to autofocus. I have used the lens in AF-S, continuous, and continuous with tracking, and it performed great! While at a local motocross track, I was able to string together bursts of bikes flying through the air with ease, and my keeper rate was excellent. In great lighting conditions, the M.ZUIKO 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS will delight you with its autofocus performance. Just point, half-press, and you will acquire focus in a heartbeat. Remember to set the focus limiter switch or you will wonder why you’re not getting the performance I’ve described. If you have it set to 1.3m to infinity, the lens will have to shift all that glass along the entire focal range, so set it according to what distance you are shooting at.”

Buy Now

M.ZUIKO 300mm f4 IS PRO

Best For

Birding, wildlife and sports

But How is it?

In our review, we state:

“This is the equivalent of a 600mm f8 lens when you translate it into full frame 35mm terms. Because it’s such a long lens your bokeh is always going to be creamy, dreamy, and gorgeous. As always with Olympus lenses, you can’t go wrong with the bokeh here.”

Buy Now

100-400mm F5-6.3 12-100mm f4 pro 12-40mm f2.8 pro ii 12-45mm f4 pro 17mm 17mm F1.2 PRO 20mm f1.4 pro 25mm f1.2 pro 300mm f4 40-150mm f2.8 PRO 40-150mm f4 pro 45mm F1.2 PRO 8-25mm f4 8mm f1.8 Best OM SYSTEM Lenses M.ZUIKO olympus OM SYSTEM pro review zuiko
Shares
Written by

Chris Gampat

Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
Previous Post

The Best Editing Tablet? Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 First Impressions

Next Post

The Best Cheap Leica M Mount Lenses

The Phoblographer © 2023 ——Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
  • Home
  • Our Staff
  • Editorial Policies
  • Media Kit
  • Membership
  • App Debug