Olympus 25mm f/1.2 PRO Review by Darren Miles

[@anthonylazaro8140]

I have yet to find better or more consistent reviews online - much appreciated!

[@beatrixkills1]

Olympus 12 to 100 F4 review please! Great review thank you for making me feel better about my 25mm 1.8.

[@frejfallqvist3097]

@Alexander Pieri It is my all time favourite lens and it makes the 12-40 lacking any benefits. F4 does not bother me because most ofter you dont need bokeh at 12mm, and you can get nice images at 70-100mm too. Coupled with a 45mm 1.2, its often all I need.

[@seanzappulla71]

I brought this 25mm f1.2 lens. It’s a fantastic lens to shoot photos with and I was very amazed how well it went at low light.

[@MichaelMa]

I debated between the Leica 25mm 1.4 and the Oly 25mm 1.2. I ended up getting the Leica knowing there is no aperture ring, and that it has more chromatic aberrations at 1.4. But I'm very happy I chose it over the Olympus because the Panasonic is half the size. I did a week long 200mi bike trip around an island, and I had my GF7 and 25mm 1.4 with me the whole time. Even if I upgraded to the Oly in the future, the Panasonic will always have its uses in the future.

[@frejfallqvist3097]

I sold this one because I wasnt happy with the CA, build quality and autofocus.

[@freddie8812]

Oh it's great to see you in front of the camera with mft gear again. I have missed you Darren! Great review as always. Please keep it up 🙂

[@DarrenMiles]

Thank you very much!!

[@darrendavenport3334]

Thank you....

[@terrywbreedlove]

I really wanted this lens until I started to think about my options. I decided what I really wanted was my nifty fifty that I still own and have been shooting for decades on my Nikon. It brought in the digital age already a well used veteran from my film days. So I bought the 25mm 1.8 and I also bought the 75mm 1.8 . WoW what a lens that is on my PEN F. I was surprised how good the image quality on the 25mm 1.8 is. I love that little lens.

[@DarrenMiles]

Agreed - me too, and I think the 75 is one of the best lenses on ANY system - one of the very best I own and have tested!

[@JCPicache]

Nice to see you back doing reviews.

[@wturri78]

Great review although I'm almost 4 years late to this party :) I shoot a Lumix G9 and love the Oly 12-40 f/2.8 lens, but I'm doing professional portrait work now and finding that its equivalent f/5.6 DOF is not always what I want, especially for 3/4 or full body portraits. I'm very interested in the 25mm you've reviewed here although from the karate-kick picture it looks like it still doesn't render much blur when pulled back to full-body portraits (assuming that one was shot at f/1.2). Full frame mirrorless have made huge strides since 2017 and I need to decide whether to pump more money into PRO level stuff for my MFT system, or keep MFT for travel and a 2nd camera while investing in a FF mirrorless system to become the professional portrait workhorse.

[@Stevesmith-yw7cr]

$1200 for a lens that offers little over the standard 25mm.....so the marketplace is causing the price to drop. I picked up my pro 25 at $650 used and at that price it is well worth it. I like to do night photography and this lens works well. Not as wide as the 12 so night sky shots are doable but not as spectacular as the 12mm wide angle lenses. The kicker is the 1.2 f stop. So nice....excellent image quality. Thank you Darren for your videos. I used them to choose the lenses for my Olympus M5 MkII. Your reviews are spot on. Thanks again.

[@ybfilms9808]

I think Olympus is one of the Best Photography brand between Canon and Nikon they are very passionated and they don't promise things like others manufactures the image quality is amazing and the products are great and they make fair prices too for their PRO line glasses :) hope too see more new stuff in 2019 from Olympus

[@Tsyras]

Olympus has already put this on sale for $1000, which is what I paid for it. I am a hobbyist and have been happy with my purchase so far. I was new to M43 and bought the 12-100 pro, 25 pro, and EM1.2 when Olympus did the $200 off each sale.

[@kcrain81]

Darren, overall great review as always. Couple points I want to make having bought this lens which replaced my Panny f1.4... First off, the weatherproofing is a huge deal to someone who takes this outside anywhere that’s not always beautifully sunny, like Naples FL perhaps? ;). Also, having used both lenses extensively on OM-D bodies, the f1.2 autofocus is WAY faster and accurate than the f1.4. Its really no comparison how many more shots I get of little toddlers running around now that I’ve upgraded to this lens. To me the value proposition was easy after considering how many more fleeting moments I capture now than with the f1.4. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. Just felt you lowballed the value number a bit. Thanks!

[@DarrenMiles]

Kevin, thanks for the kind words and I'm so glad the lens works for you - I agree, the lens is totally capable, I'm just spoiled by the optical quality of the f/1.8 primes, I feel like they're better wide open - especially at their price points - because, to me, it's only the price that holds this lens back, seems rather high to me for a fast 50 - yes, it's f/1.2 and it's weather sealed (though it's beautiful and sunny down here most of the time, when it rains - boy do we know how to do rain :-)) - but if it were say $999 or $899, then I think it'd be a different discussion. It just didn't seem as tack tack sharp to me at f/1.2 as say the 75 or 45 are at f/1.8... Color me spoiled by Olympus, because I wanted to love the 25 f/1.2 PRO, I ended up liking it a lot, and felt it was too expensive a date at $1,199...

[@kcrain81]

Darren, that's interesting. I've never tried the 45 or 75. For the shooting I do, those focal lengths are a bit narrow and I would feel claustrophobic. But perhaps I'll rent them and try at some point. Compared to the 1.4 I've found the image quality to be much better overall. I could get good shots on the Panny, but I get so many more with the autofocus that just gets it almost every time.

[@JeanV1986]

I agree with your conclusion, and I must say I'm very happy with my Panaleica 25 1.4. It was the first lens I bought for micro43, and I got it for about 400€. To spend that kind of cash, the Olympus would have to be really extraordinary. And if I'm really after crazy shallow DOF, I think it's cheaper to get a cheap Sony A7 with an adapter prime.

[@Onion_Knights]

i bought this lens 2 weeks ago, its sharp! about the build, i drop it front down while on my camera (em1 mkii)... yes, ouch... just a week old.. the uv filter(to protect it) shaterred.. the lens survived without a scratch

[@thinkinginpictures4071]

Hope to see an E-M1 II review here.

[@JohnCampbell-t9j]

The Sigma f1.4 series of lenses are my choice for my Olympus and LUMIX cameras.

[@lionsbussum]

Thank you Daren for your honest review of this expensive lens. Now i know i can still stay very happy with my Oly 25 mm F1.8. Due to your review i will not buy the 25mm F1.2 Great fan of your Olympus reviews. Gr. From Erik, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[@RyCha99]

Great review

[@Digi20]

Datten, what lens did you use to film your review bits? 75 1.8? looks great especialy on the 06:00 minute mark.

[@CVCC]

good review. the Lumix 25mm 1.7 is stellar and a 6th of what this lens costs.

[@stevenfries7032]

I agree but i chose oly for the simple fact that it is weather sealed....and i want the ability to go to locations that my other lenses dare not go.

[@gregg5896]

The Metabones Ultra Speed Booster can turn the Nikon AI-s 35mm f/1.4 into a 25mm f/1.0 for less money but it's manual focus. Image quality is improved on the Nikon too. Also, the Voitlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95 is an option - also MF.

[@avarmadillo]

I note that Panasonic's new 2.3 firmware upgrade did not include an updating of the 25 1.4 lens. ????

[@avarmadillo]

Fabulous review--very objective and well thought out. thank you so much. Think I might opt for the Panasonic 25mm 1.4 presently. I lived-in Florida for three years--loved it! Don't leave.

[@937fred]

Don't forget the wonderful Voïgtlander 25mm f0,95. sometimes the results can be magic.

[@CriRiz]

Thanks bro great 👍

[@roncurtis6350]

Have you tried a Sigma apc lense with an adapter ? If so, how do they compare to native lenses ?

[@cheeholim2084]

can you compare this to the Sigma 30mm F1.4 Dc Dn for Micro fourth third?

[@JohnCampbell-t9j]

All three Sigma ff1.4 MFT lenses are superb. I use them!

[@keithj9165]

Great video Darren! I think you may be one of the first that hasn't praised this lens

[@DarrenMiles]

Thanks Keith - to be clear - the 25 is a great lens, I just think relevant to the competition it's over priced... It's still sharp wide open, but all of my other Olympus lenses are bitingly sharp wide open, this one is definitely softer, but still sharp.

[@keithj9165]

Yeah, I hear that, most reviewers haven't had anything remotely bad to say. I love how sharp all my oly glass is, it would bug me if I found any softness wide open, I'd use it that way 95% of the time. Though 1.2 would be stellar, I'll stick with the 1.8, at least for now. I've started to delve into real estate photography so I picked up the 7-14 pro, couldn't be happier. Had to go back and watch your old review on it first. Keep them coming (and pick up an em1ii)

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Darren, it is prime lens, it must to be less sharp. Olympus is saner than Zeiss in this regard. Excessive sharpness lowers good optical performance of the lenses, as it destroys the micro-contrast and ability of the lens to gather as much tonal information as possible. User may always sharpen results later, but is impossible to bring lost colour and tones back in the picture.

[@joshuakarp2586]

Thx for the review! I was thinking about paying the $1200 but now I'll just go for the Panasonic!

[@yitzchallevi8208]

Darren, are you willing to give us a list of your favorite M43 lenses to date? That would really help some of us! Thank you -- and your reviews are always excellent!

[@DarrenMiles]

Thank you very much! It's been on my mind, the next lens I review will be a long overdue M43 lens... After that, I might consider doing a top 5.

[@yitzchallevi8208]

That would be great! You could update it every year as new lenses make it to the coveted top five places!

[@ttgnam81]

Hello, How would you rate the lens if it were $999? What would be your score? I'm asking because it is on sale now Black Friday deal. I ordered it with an option that if I don't like it enough to pay the price, I can return it. I already have 25mm f1.8 and want more low light capability.

[@CVCC]

nice review, always enjoy your take on gear. as I'm sure you know the 12-40 is tack sharp wide open, amazing sharpness. I think Olympus dropped the ball on not making this lens razor sharp wide open, then you'd really have something great to say about it. Love the cat with the blue eyes too!

[@halz7]

Thanks for the review. Will you be doing a review of the Panasonic 42.5mm f1.7 in the future. I opted for it over the Olympus 45mm f1.8.

[@halz7]

No answer to my question. A simple yes or no would have been fine. Oh well.

[@DarrenMiles]

Haiz7 - sorry about that, I must have missed this one, the panny 42.5 f/1.7 is on my list, yes!

[@tedp9945]

Have you tried the sigma 30 1.4 for m43? Looks great, and all the reviews seem to be very positive. It is a global vision lenses after all. And a steal at 340$ brand new. For some reason I can't find anyone on the forums that owns one, a lot of people have never heard about it. And very few review sites have checked it out. Seems like it would make for a good video, and a nice cheap addition to your m43 kit.

[@DarrenMiles]

I haven't, but I will put it on my list now! Thank you!!

[@tedp9945]

Cool I'm looking forward to seeing the video. I'll be picking up one soon for my m43 system!

[@christinab.askerheyden8338]

Thank you so much for your reviews, I'm watching them over and over again! I own an amazing 75mm 1.8, and I'd love to buy another prime, just wondering which one. I can afford one of the new 1.2 PRO lenses at the moment, and I can't decide between 17mm or the 25mm. I'm shooting portraits/weddings, but also street photography and fashion. I guess the 25mm is more versatile, but I just can't seem to let go of the 17mm, which looks amazing. Could you please give me some advice on which one to get, which one would be your personal favorite? Thanks a lot! :)

[@danieldougan8613]

I agree with you on the Panasonic 25mm f1.4 lens. I own that one, and it's awesome. My only complaint about it is that it's not weather-sealed. As far as Tom Brady in the playoffs, are you saying that Olympus is cheating with this lens? :D

[@evanmcknight2566]

Excellent review! A question. Was 1/8000th of a second sufficient for shooting outside in bright light or did you need to put on a neutral density filter or stop down? If so how many stops on a sunny day. This lens is out of my price range, but I'm thinking about the Samyang 50mm f1.2 as a (100mm equivalent) portrait lens so I was wondering about shooting at 1.2 and the shutter speeds needed. Thanks

[@DarrenMiles]

I didn't run into to it enough to recalll. But I don't believe that it was much of an issue...

[@evanmcknight2566]

Thanks for the feedback. It's really appreciated.

[@evanmcknight2566]

I hear that you have also used the same soundtrack that I liked on you Cannon 17mm tilt shift review. I really like it. If you ever visit Canada and get the chance to drive on Highway 1 from Banff to Lake Louise on a clear day you should listen to this track.

[@sigmundevensen3937]

Thanks for the review!

[@billyboy647]

Darren, I like your review very much, but on one point I have to respectfully disagree. I tried the Panasonic 25mm 1.4 for a few days per your suggestion, and found it unusable. I shoot video, and the focus ring on the 1.4 is terrible--MUCH too small and very difficult to get fine focus quickly. I don't know why these MFT lens makers don't provide adequate smooth resistance for shooting MF! Did I mention I shoot video and only video?!? So, I returned the 1.4 and purchased the Olympus 1.2--and it's really refined and offers an almost ideal, Canon-like resistance for shooting MF video. Very nice lens. Maybe for a shutterbug the 1.4 is the better investment. But for video, IMO, the refinement in focus and extra bit of light is worth the difference.

[@Renat1985]

Hi Darren! I bought Olympus omd em1 m2 and now i dont know what lens to buy for "all genres"!!! I have money only for one lens if it is 25 mm 1.2 pro or 17 mm 1.2 pro What would you recommend? What lens is more flexible? I would prefer shoot street and portraits :) Thank you!

[@SeanPhotograph]

Where do you find the music?? it's always really good, also great review as always!!

[@DarrenMiles]

Sean, Premium beat

[@orange42]

Just not the kinky 70's sounding one that comes with each section summary :D

[@andy16666]

Gotta agree with you on the value. I was considering upgrading from the 25mm f/1.4 Panasonic. No more. :-P

[@Luisorax]

I want to use my gh5 with the 12-60 and also a 25mm, but I don't know which lens would give me the greatest cinematic lens: Olympus 1.2 or Voigtlander 0.95? The most important is that I get a sharp image and great cinematic style. What do you think about this battle?

[@ghotinggoad]

Luisorax if you need autofocus and weather sealing, the Olympus is the obvious choice. If you don't need them, the 0.95 will help a bit BUT the Voigtlander is not the way to go. The SLR Magic 25mm 0.95 is visibly sharper and more video centric. It really comes down to how you shoot videos, do you need AF and Weather sealing? I own a Voigtlander 17.5mm F0.95 and I love the out of focus characteristics.

[@Luisorax]

Thank you for your answer. I do not really need the autofocus. I just want the most cinematic image and being sharp in a good way. I was thinking also in PL, but if for having to have the sharpness I have to shoot at f2...I wont get that much depth of field. I heard good things of the Olympus shooting at 1.2. The voigtlander I saw many videos and, even if I do not have a problem with the manual focus, the image quality doesn't convince me, but everybody uses to say it's the best one, so maybe I need to find the right images to judge. aswell, what do you think aboout the 18-35? Thank you very much! I will check the images from the SLR MAGIC.

[@ghotinggoad]

SLR Magic is the best in class for 25mm f0.95 right now in terms of sharpness so if you decide to go for it, that'll be the best. I haven't used an 18-35 and I think the light gathering capabilities and short zoom range does not justify the high cost and weight. Go for it if you're just gonna use it on a tripod.

[@Luisorax]

Thank you again for your answer. You are absolutly right: Sigma 18.35 is to much heavy (1kg with the meabones) so I couldn't even use it in a zhiyun crane. I think that what I really want is the "zeiss" look, like the movie of Amelie or a lens that can give me aswell the Taxi Driver or Blade Runner look (for saying the most famous ones). Of course this also depends of the colors and the lights. I'm trying to compare which lens will give me the most similar look and sharpness, but it's difficult find this videos with the gh5. I will search more about SLR Magic, but since I didn't like their anamorphic (and expensive) lenses, I haven't search more about them. With the Olympus 25mm 1.2...I found some video by Albert Fast with the GH5 (here comes the sun) that makes me remind to the movie styles of David Linklater, so I like a lot that looks aswell. For now, I just have seen the videos of this Albert Fast, but from nobody else. I think that for now it's the best candidate. Voigtlander produces too much chromatic aberration in 0,95...

[@waldemirqueiroz3483]

Great and honest review. I just don’t buy the idea that you must double the F stop to have the same DOF equivalence in full frame. The lens does not look like a FF 50 mm f 2.4 at all.

[@Duckstalker1340]

Waldemir Queiroz it’s either 50mm f1.2 (same distant to object) or 25mm f2.4 (move farther from object) equivalent to FF in order to achieve the same composition and bokeh effect of the same shot, it can’t be both.

[@iDATUS]

Bostin video, the cat is beautiful. On the value side comparing it to the 1.4 (I am a noob so pardon if silly Q) but did you add the weather proofing as you didn't mention it? In other words is the 1.4 weather proof as well?

[@stevenfries7032]

it isnt, which is why I bought the oly lenses over the panasonic primes. weather proof adds to the value of this lens. plus...you can get this lens if you shop right for around 900 bucks.

[@iDATUS]

@@stevenfries7032 Yes I bought the oly one as well. He didnt take the weather proofing into account when comparing the value. I only wanted 1 lens and wanted to make sure I got the best all rounder. Im happy, got it with the em5 mark 3

[@JohnnieTycoon]

Love this review, very honest and good recommendation. I'm not a professional photographer, was considered this lens but after watched your review I think it's a great lens but might be beyond my need. I will consider Panasonic 25 F1.4 instead.

[@DarrenMiles]

The Pany 25 is a GREAT alternative.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

A correction - using the same lens, a 135 format camera provides 50% more DoF than an APS-C camera, or, 100% more DoF than the m4/3 camera. DoF is therefore shallow with m4/3 and quite deep with FF cameras. What seems to appear "shallower", tough, is the OoF compression.

[@Neerbija]

Was waiting for this one. Thanks!

[@airgunner2024]

Really enjoyed this review, I shot my Daughter's wedding with this lens. Love the music in this viddy, who is the artist?

[@vanessabarbosa3681]

In your opinion... wich is the best and why: Olympus 25mm f/ 1.8 or Panasonic 25mm f/ 1.7????

[@DarrenMiles]

I haven't used the Pany, so it's hard for me to say, I think the Oly 25 is AMAZING!

[@c.augustin]

In my experience the Panasonic Leica Summilux 1.4/25 is noisy on an Olympus body - when shooting this lens on an E-M5II, the "perceived" shutter noise is actually the closing/opening aperture of the lens. And build quality is not what I would expect from a lens with "Leica" in its name. With this in mind I would say that the value of the Oly 1.2/25 is better than 6/10. A comparison to the Voigtländer 0.95/25 would be interesting. I get the impression that the 1.2/25 has better optical quality at 1.2 or 1.4 compared to the (quite nice, but expensive) Voigtländer.

[@Brian-dy2vf]

Hey Darren, and what about the micro 4/3's iso performance for weddings? i have myself an em10 for casual use and I'm not super happy with low light shooting. Thanks for the videos, I really like your job.

[@DarrenMiles]

Thanks Brian, I had a photographer at my seminar this past March and he was an EM-1 Mark ii user, and I have to say, I thought his wedding work was REALLY good! Even the low light stuff... If we use DXO Mark as a benchmark (controversial I know) - they rate the OMD-EM1 - Mark ii an 80 - which is AMAZING for an M43 sensor, this puts the sensor in line with the 5D Mark ii and Nikon D700 - both fine wedding cameras in their own right - I know plenty of pros who still use both today with great results. Personally, I'm hesitant - I just don't feel as sure/secure with an M43 sensor in low light - maybe as a second or a 3rd camera, but not as a primary.

[@keithj9165]

Brian their definitely getting better, I use the EM1ii and am very happy with the low light capabilities, the reality is that unless there's a miracle, mft will never catch up to an equivalent generation full frame camera. I think they're on par with aps-c competitors, difference is negligible. I think the biggest advantage is how compact they get.

[@Brian-dy2vf]

nice thoughts! thanks for the awnser darren

[@Brian-dy2vf]

I totally agree, Keith. let's hope olympus keeps pushing the game

[@keithj9165]

Yes, for sure, one thing for sure, they're innovative an always coming up with new features like incredible ibis, sensor cleaning, high-res shot, they may even be the reason cameras have articulating screens. Their history shows that they developed a lot of things that were firsts for cameras. I think that is what keeps me coming back.

[@consciousgentile5141]

Great video. you saved me a lot of money!!

[@marcusnz232]

Nice review. Nice lens. Dog needs more walks..!

[@maheshg212]

I think olympus missed a trick here. For a pro lens, that is super bright, they could have made a manual version keeping the size much smaller. after all 50mm view is not necessarily for shooting very fast sports action anyway... and which also could be manually focussed with any of the pro micro 4/3 cameras like EM1 ii etc

[@ottokite]

I agree with your thoughts. I recently did an Olympus sponsored portrait shoot and tried out a few Olympus lenses that I don't have (yet?) with my E-M1 Mk2 and I was really disappointed with the quality of the photographs when using the 25mm f1.2 lens. The Olympus 75mm was much much sharper and is now on my wish-list. In this country the 35mm f1.2 it costs £1099 which is way overpriced and should be about £200 to £300 less IMO. Great review!

[@DarrenMiles]

Thanks Chris - our sentiments about the 25 are basically the same...

[@WilliamWallaceRoss]

It focuses like butter. I purchased it for my M1 Mk II and it was a great purchase, despite waiting a little bit for it return to stock. Will get a lot of use out of it. Might be, bye-bye Canon FF.

[@darrendavenport3334]

Richard Ross you wouldnt be the first to walk away from the cumbersome dinosaur weight and feel of FF cameras...

[@HomeroAGonzalez]

That was quick!!

[@DarrenMiles]

Nice catch! Thanks! That stuff drives me crazy :-)

[@DieterLo1]

Very good!

[@PolluxChung]

Darren, your son really looks like you!

[@GEB128]

Couldn't agree more.

[@marioarias9942]

I could only afford the box with a pin hole :(

[@shakalaka7502]

Mario Arias i feel u bro

[@mikedavis6107]

Not quite sure i understand parts of the review here., you say the olympus and panasonic 1.4 are basically the same yet on the 1,4 panasonic has no weather seal plastic piece of shit( i had it for a week and sold it for the reasons you mention) no function button no quick manual focus bad chromatic distortion. who says you need to buy it new?

[@stehlealexander]

M43 forever!

[@KenTheoriaApophasis]

Micro 2/1000th sensor. :)

[@DarrenMiles]

Ugh :-) I still love Olympus!

[@vicibox]

Hmmm not convinced and I could sense the hesitation in your body language. I am not a fan of shallow DoF and bokeh; where possible I minimise out of focus regions in my shots. I prefer to use colour, texture and biting sharpness to provide separation of picture elements. The image signature is the sharp overcorrected flattened 2D image presentation beloved of contemporary portrait and commercial photographers and journalists. Over my long lifetime, starting with Zeiss glass through Nikon and Leica I have found that the more elements a lens has the more flat and lifeless the image and I saw nothing in your test shots that would disabuse me of that notion. I cant see me ever buying a prime lens with more than 10 elements; glass is the enemy not the solution. The property I value most in a good lens is that 3D pop which suggests you could walk into the image. I get that pop with my 17mm and 45mm f1.8 lenses and they even give my 23mm Summilux a run for its money. So no I hate these f1.2 Pro lenses, they dont have the pop I admire and they are as big and heavy as DSLR lenses. Fortunately I dont have to worry as Olympus and Panasonic make stunning f1.8 primes making my MFT kit a perfect compliment to my Leicas ;-)

[@vitocinieri3912]

I've discovered a beautiful lens that you have to review: sigma 30mm 1.4 dc dn

[@PVLGEORGIEV]

Next time when You talk about high prices, try to put all those high quality parts in this small body!!!!!!

[@guardianobserver6593]

M43 became overpriced, bigger and heavier than aps-c cameras. Even full frames becomes smaller and smaller. They gave everything they could and if they don't discover a new type of more sensible sensor they will become cameras for videos and they will continue to lose users.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Tell me in which world FF becomes smaller? I'd love to see that. Or FF mirrorless lenses - which one at f1.2 is small? Even f2.8 are ginormous. And in which world there are fast, small and great APS-C lenses? Fujifilm's X lenses are below the quality Olympus delivers, and Canon and Nikon have zero premium crop lenses. Pentax had a few, but noisy and unsealed screwdrive lenses, but Pentax in crop lens world delivers nothing after Ricoh bought them. Actually, only guys that deliver really great and smaller lenses are - Olympus and Panasonic.

[@Cagey7531]

Guardian Observer talking out of your arse hole there ol' man. There's a tonne of light, small, fast M43 lenses, that hasn't changed. And the newest higher end bodies like the em1-mkii or GH5 are still much smaller than even mid range APSC bodies. Stay off them drugs.

[@mikewhiles4635]

Get a grip Daren - you'd be far better off going Fuji with images that blow 43 out of the water - ps Selected Fuji lenses have the same focus clutch .... Olympus have failed to gain all but a TINY part of the professional market place, these very expensive large 1.2 lenses are for camera club braggers not for the working Pro.

[@DarrenMiles]

Hey Mike - thanks for your insights. See, I think you can use M43 for pro work, that said, it's still not my first choice, but I assure you, in my real estate work, I'd put the bulk of what I've shot with my M4/3 cameras up against my D750 and 14-24 any day of the week. Now, if there's a downside to M4/3 vs. say full frame or APS-C - it's shadow recovery, no question. I'm dying to try Fuji, I'm afraid I'd love it and be forced to buy into another system... Ugh...

[@darrendavenport3334]

Mike Whales its your skills that make you a pro .... something GWC's need to learn .... most of the people i have met that brag about their equipment have yet to take a shot that I have been impressed with .... at the end of the day, if someone plopped a pile of large size prints in front of you, you wouldnt be able to tell which one was shot with what type of camera, sensor etc. .... i know as ive done this with different photogs that simply walked from the challenge.... worry about improving your skills first...

[@vmcauley]

overpriced - a great system that they will manage to kill despite themselves....... pro prices for a system that for the most part will find itself in the hands of amateurs, pro ams or pros looking for a travel system......... keeping these prices high only serves to draw attention to the value of full frame systems... and that is a race mft will not win .... pick your market and price accordingly... this lens for 650 dollars is about right. I shoot both the Nikon system and 4/3rds. and I love both systems - but panolys market depts need reforming with some common sense...

[@DarrenMiles]

Basically agree, I do think it's priced a bit too high.but it's still a really nice lens!

[@danieldougan8613]

Olympus have produced a wonderful line of amateur lenses that are much more aggressively priced. But if you find that those lenses don't meet your needs, then you can step up. I'm an amateur with a few photos on Shutterstock, but I bought the 40-150mm f2.8 PRO. Yeah, it was a budget stretcher for me, but I really needed the faster aperture for what I was shooting. And I recently picked up a used OM-D E-M1 (Mark I) as an upgrade for my old E-PL5 because of the improved focusing system. Producing excellent optics with excellent build quality is not cheap. But if you consider what a comparable full-frame or even APS-C lens would cost, most of the Olympus Pro lenses are still quite a bargain. I buy everything I possibly can used, so that helps me as an amateur / enthusiast.