Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm F4-5.6 R ED Review
The Olympus 40-150mm is an inexpensive ($99 new) micro four thids kit lens that performs very well for the price. The 35mm equivalent of 80-300mm in a very compact package compares favorably to the cheap 70-300mm options out there:
| Olympus M. 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R | Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III | Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 80-300mm (35mm equiv) | 70-300mm | 70-300mm | |
| Max aperture | F4-5.6 | F4-5.6 | F4-5.6 | |
| Weight | 0.42 lb (190 g) | 1.06 lb (480 g) | 1.06lb (480 g) | |
| Size | ~3.3" | ~5" | ~4.6" | |
| Length extended | ?? | 7.78” | ?? | |
| Price | $99 | $199 | $170 | |
| Min focus distance | ~36" | ~55" | ~59" | |
| Official lens page | getolympus.com | usa.canon.com | nikonusa.com |
Build quality is good and handling is nice on a variety of m43rd bodies. The lens is not stabilized and therefore pairs better with cameras that feature in body image stabilization (most Olympus bodies and a few Panasonic bodies) to help stabilize the longer shots.
Moderate max apertures and lack of weather sealing are the main two drawbacks for me. However, for the price those are to be expected and with such a low cost they may certainly be forgiven.
Recommended? Yes, for a compact travel zoom at a reasonable price I do recommend the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm 🙂
Nice looking lens
Compact 40mm
Fully extended 150mm
Top view
Lens MFT Charts
MFT at 40mm
MFT at 150mm
Lens Design
Lens design
Conclusion
Ron Zack said it very aptly:
The Olympus 40-150 lens, in all of it’s various guises, is, I think, the best value in all of digital photography. Considering it is nothing more than a kit lens, designed cheaply as possible as to move more cameras with an included “two lens kit” — it really gives the photographer much more than it’s cheap construction would indicate.
When you get right down to it, the two things this lens excels at is image quality and versatility. Both are delivered in spades, in a package so small, you’d be foolish not to pack it along where ever you go.
I’m glad Olympus finally decided to make a 40-150 especially for the micro 4/3 mount, and I think it’s a lens every Olympus Pen user should buy. In many ways, it’s really the perfect telephoto zoom for the system. –Comment at Blogbeebe