Again, that's a weather sealed lens of excellent construction so perfect for the London life. In order to get the subject far enough away from the camera that it’s not an extreme close-up of his face taking up 100% of the frame (and eliminating the background completely), the camera and subject have to be pretty much right up against opposite walls. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Am leaning towards the later as I’ll be walking around with the camera to I’ll benefit from the addition IS of the lens. Check eBay for the latest prices on the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8. I’m not shooting architecture so I don’t need anything wider, nor am I shooting birds or wildlife thus I don’t need anything longer. Another manual focusing lens, so not for everyone. Find more Lumix GII 20mm f1.7 information and reviews here. still a learner with EM5. Hmmm, well we’re talking semantics with regards to how much blur is optimal. The “Holy Trinity” is a moniker given for a set of three lenses that covers a wide range of focal lengths, usually from wide to telephoto. I’m debating between ordering the new one (v II) online, or getting the original version for the same price locally. Looking for a new lens for your Panasonic or Olympus camera? . Thanks Jay. It’s capable in low light and tack sharp. Those pundits are actually referring about the ability to blur the background, and Olympus 75mm actually has the most flexibility according to background blur calculator HowMuchBlur: As you can see, after about 7m, the Olympus 75mm has the best ability to blur the background. A site dedicated to helping VFX, Photography, Videography and Graphics Professionals make the best buying decisions. But since I often get asked what MFT lenses I'd recommend, there you have it! Olympus 75mm f1.8 would be equivalent to 150mm f1.8 on full frame, f3.6 equivalence in Depth of Field. But if you’re on a tighter budget, checkout our next picks. Olympus 75mm f1.8 Lens: When this lens was announced, people were knocking it for being a little slow at F1.8 because Canon and Nikon have faster counterparts. I look for lenses that are small and fast. For the Olympus 45mm, that is a 90mm FF equivalent, 1/90 isn’t an option thus you should at least use 1/100 or faster. With only 5 aperture blades, the out of focus highlights are shaped like pentagons versus the ideal circles. We’ve already mentioned above that the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 is one of the best overall lenses you could buy, and right alongside that I’d add the Panasonic 14mm f2.5. Cheers mate, keep it coming. Is that the real issue? I love the all metal construction and switch from auto-focus to manual by simply pulling the ring As for the 12-40mm, it's convenient as long as you don't pull it by mistake and realise as you take THE shot that you're in manual. Of the two zooms, I favor the Panasonic 12-32mm because it can get a little wider. Try the Olympus 45mm f1.8, at about $200 used right now it’s a really good deal. I can usually get quite close to the stage, but the lighting is always wonky in these venues. So far I’ve had a few issues with the controlling of those lenses. But that doesn’t mean that one or the other is the better option per se, it’s all personal preference. I am very fickle with the lens I buy.keep changing.I love my GM1 which I will always keep.take care Jay.best Paul. Ideal if you run out of inspiration, screw it on and have fun, one of the key factors to being creative! That isn’t to say that there aren’t good legacy lenses out there, the legendary Leica M mount lenses are known to be fantastic (though over $1000+). I’ll reiterate that you should always invest in lenses, but with that being said the quickest way to see more performance out of your lens is with a better camera body. Essential Social Media Tips for Photographers, Top 10 Street Photography Locations in London, Increase Website Traffic Through Better Design, All photographs, videos and copy on this website © Nicholas Goodden 2008 - 2020, A small pre-weekend taster from my exciting new 2020 London series which will be released next week on my website.…, Nazare in Portugal is top of my list of places to visit! In his series “moving to motion,” he lamented on what gear he should use. For those who want a sharp, prime lens, but don’t want to deal with manual focus or aperture, this Lumix lens may just be the best micro 4 3 lens. Though at $1600, the casual photographer may want to evaluate other options. So if forced to get just one for the next few years, which would you go with for an all around lens? Several users have complained that the lens produces a clicking noise when one is changing either the zoom or aperture. And while I love the Leica Nocticron and shoot a lot of portraiture, the $1600 price tag is going to keep a lot of people away. I’m new to 4/3, and recently picked up an Olympus 17mm 1.8. But remember, everyone’s definition of the “best” is different. But I am the same way in that I buy and sell lenses all the time! f1.4 is always f1.4 in terms of gathering light). I’ll update this soon with LensTip ratings as well. 7. The Panasonic 12-32mm offers a FoV as wide as 24mm. We’ll have a review of a few lens filters in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for that. 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. Any experience about this one? Super-Wide, or Ultra-Wide, are rectilinear lenses that offer a wide angle of view that is bigger than 85˚ and usually up to about 110˚. He studied at RPI and worked on the retail side of the industry at B&H before landing at PCMag. I have 2 Lumix camera G5 and G7(0). I have a GH3 right now and am waiting for the GH5 to come out. Great and swift answer ! While they tend to be cheaper on a whole than lenses for larger DSLRs, their quality also tends to be better for the price; they tend to have better value. Thus a Canon 50mm f1.4 would essentially be a 71mm f1 lens (50mm x 2x crop factor x 0.71). I buy and sell a lot of lenses to try different ones out, but I can never imagine parting with that one. Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 or Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 (mentioned above): These lenses plays within the optimal focal lengths for portraits and beyond. It’s useful but I use the 14mm more often. What 4/3rds lens would you recommend for high “bokeh” in close range? I take your suggestion for the Leica 45mm. If I had to sell all of them and keep one? 3. Bring it up to f2.8 and it reaches peak sharpness. I do like the blur chart….as a subject in its self I think that legacy lenses are fun ..it would be great to create an app comparison chart showing visual bokeh effects using different lenses and modified apertures. People say the 50mm (equiv) is out of fashion but I think its an essential for close. So any other suggestion. Looking forward to more information to improve my technique and unleash the potential of the m43. The 7 Best Microphones for Filmmaking in 2020, The 5 Best Shotgun MICs in 2020 (Quality Audio from your DSLR), Best Camera for Film making on a Budget in 2020, The 6 Best Point and Shoot Cameras Under $500 in 2020, The 6 Best Point and Shoot Cameras Under $200 in 2020, The 6 Best Point and Shoot Cameras Under $300, The 5 Best Point and Shoot Cameras Under $100 in 2020, The 5 Best CF Cards in 2020 (Compact Flash Card), The 5 Best Video Tripods in 2020 (Light, Affordable and Sturdy), The 10 Best Steadicams/Gimbal Stabilizers for DSLRs in 2020, The 4 Best iPhone Lenses for Video in 2020, The 4 Best 24–70mm Lenses for Canon Cameras in 2020, 4 Best 85mm Lenses for Nikon Cameras in 2020, The 5 Best Lenses for the Nikon D750 in 2020, The 5 Best Lenses for the Sony A7RII in 2020, The 7 Best Canon Lenses for Video in 2020, The 4 Best Teleconverter Lenses for Canon in 2020, The Best Portrait Lens for Nikon Camera in 2020, The 5 Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses for Video in 2020, The 6 Best Variable ND Filters (Natural Density) in 2020, The 5 Best Cameras for Cinematography and Filmmaking in 2020, The 5 Best Documentary Cameras in 2020 (High Distance and HD Zoom), The 6 Best Video Cameras for Green Screen (Chroma Key) in 2020, The 3 Best Video Cameras for Journalists in 2020, The 5 Best Cameras for Facebook Live in 2020 (Fast, Live Streaming), The 5 Best Video Cameras for Video Blogging (Vlogging) in 2020, The 5 Best Video Cameras for Concerts in 2020, The 5 Best Video Cameras for Action in 2020, The 6 Best Video Cameras for Slow Motion in 2020, The Best Medium Format Digital Cameras in 2020, The 4 Best Video Cameras for Music Videos in 2020, The 6 Best Monitors For Color Grading in 2020, The 5 Best External Hard Drive for Video Editing in 2020, The 5 Best RAMs for Video Editing in 2020, The 6 Best NAS for Video Editing in 2020 (Network Attached Storage), 5 Best Graphic Cards for Video Editing in 2020, Best Chair for Video Editing in 2020 (Comfort, Ergonomics and Affordability), The 5 Best Desks for Video Editing in 2020, Best Headphones for Video Editing in 2020 (Noise Cancelling, High Quality Sound), Best Speakers for Video Editing in 2020 (Audio Quality, Price and Compatibility), The 4 Best Monitors for Video Editing in 2020, The 5 Best Camera Shoulder Mount Rigs in 2020, The 5 Best Laptops for Video Editing in 2020 (Speed and Efficiency), The 6 Best HP Laptops for Video Editing in 2020, The 5 Best Dell Laptops for Video Editing in 2020, The 7 Best Windows Laptops for Video Editing in 2020, Best Cheap Laptop for Video Editing (Under $500), The 5 Best Laptops for Video Editing (Under $1000), Best Computers for Video Editing in 2020 (Desktop PC), The 7 Best Motherboards for Video Editing in 2020, Picking the Best Video Editing Software for Windows (UPDATED 2020), The 5 Best Tablets for Video Editing in 2020, Best Projectors for Art and Artists in 2020, The 4 Best Projectors for A Small Room or Apartment in 2020, The 4 Best Projectors for Outdoor Movies in 2020, The 4 Best Projectors for Bright Rooms in 2020, The 4 Best Drones for Film Making in 2020, The 4 Best Cameras for Beginner Filmmaking (Under $1000), The 4 Best Cameras for Filmmaking in 2020, The 5 Best Webcams for Video Conferencing and Streaming in 2020, The 7 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners in 2020, The 4 Best Lighting Kits for Filmmaking in 2020, Top 5 Best Conference Room Projectors In 2020, The 4 Best Sony Lenses For Astrophotography In 2020, Top 5 Best Green Screen Backdrops In 2020, Top 5 Best Projectors For Golf Simulation In 2020, Top 5 Best Classroom Document Cameras In 2020, Top 5 Best Monitors For Photographers In 2020, Top 6 Best Point And Shoot Cameras With Zoom In 2020, Top 6 Best External Camera Monitors In 2020. I see. It’s my absolute favourite, possibly the perfect prime lens for street photography and yet it’s just humble metal and glass, no electronics. The problem with MTF charts is that some manufacturers use lab tests, some simulate the tests. However, the Olympus PRO lenses cover a wider focal length and have a focus clutch… plus the Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 is one sexy beast. Protected from dust, splashes, and cold temperatures. Find more Lumix G 45-200mm f4-5.6 information and reviews here. The Micro Four Thirds lenses discussed in our list above are impeccably constructed, combining their ingenious designs with magnificent optical quality and superior build quality. It’s completely manual. Or should I invest in something equivalent albeit the higher price which is the Lumix 42.5mm 1.7 lens (or any advice on which better suitable lens in my case)? the Olympus 45mm F1.8 is relatively compact compared to the PL Noticron F1.2. If you’re a casual video shooter, a great option is the Panasonic 14-140mm f3.5-5.6 which is on Amazon for about $500 new. The 7-14mm Panny is less “funny”. Beware though using this on the E-M1 or any camera with a protruding grip... it's hard not to get your right hand in the picture as it's so wide! It’s much like the 7-14mm zoom. Users love it for photography and videography use (though its slow speed will be limiting for certain capacities, such as low light on a GH4 or GH5). We're really spoiled for choice and that's one of the many reasons I initially chose micro four thirds. What about the Leica Nocticron 42.5mm f1.2 or the Olympus 75mm f1.8?” And that’s a good point. For primes I bought the 12mm f/1.4 and love it. If you’re on a budget, I’d consider the very popular Olympus 45mm f1.8, here you can see it compared against the PL 42.5mm and the Oly 75mm. Plus the band moves A LOT when they perform, so I need the fastest shutter I can get…which is especially challenging in a low light situation. Nothing else will ever compare. I can’t even get a head and shoulders shot from most directions (and it’s not like I’m in a bathroom or closet), and when I can, there’s no room for bokeh. There’s also the manual focus Voigtlander 42.5mm F0.95 at $1000. Today that same camera body can be found on eBay for under $100. I have no regrets. Accessories What lenses should I buy for my new Micro 4/3 camera? Olympus 12mm f2.0 – Sharpness 10, Overall 21 (EP5, EM5). So can someone explain the usage ? But all in all, a great lens and one of the cheapest. With that being said, zooms do have their advantages: I do wish Micro Four Thirds had an equivalent to the Canon 24-105 F4 L… but with a f2.8 aperture, we do have the Olympus 12-40mm (24-80mm equivalent) so we’re close! For those who are comfortable with a Cine-style lens with telephoto qualities, this 85mm f1.5 offers superb sharpness and high-quality optics. It will be interesting to compare to the P/L 100-400mm I will probably add it to my GX1 kit. If you can deal with these tradeoffs, you’ll be rewarded with a wonderfully sharp, fast lens, with beautiful bokeh. I have to say that you are right Jay about the speed. Jay ..thank you for for a prompt response.. (I used to shoot with an EM5 MKII and a Pen-F. Not anymore. I’ll spend more time with it mounted all day to explore its potential more. Users love its bokeh and color. Windows or Mac? Check eBay for the latest prices on the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8. It’s in a sweet spot for focal length and gives me a taste of the Noctilux I always wanted. © 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. And while a mere 2mm might seem like a small difference, the wider you get the more dramatic the effect. The 24mm focal length was popular in the film days and the long awaited Olympus 12mm f2 lives up to the hype. It's something of course a little scary but I bought my Voigtlander and my Pana Leica 45mm second hand for top Ebay sellers (check feedback carefully) and they were like new, only... a lot cheaper. The Leica Summilux 12mm f1.4 is a high-end lens for Micro Four Thirds bodies on which it delivers the classic 24mm coverage. Lenses tend to be the sharpest when stopped down 2 F-Stops from the max. Pundits argue that the Olympus 75mm can’t quite compare to the Noticron or other brighter lenses in terms of DoF. 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. What do you think about the Panasonic 25mm 1.4f leica? I don’t have any of the Voightlander lenses. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! I’ve bought and sold other lenses, but for the most part this is my “Holy Trinity” (for now). Olympus 75 1.8 . What we don't: Plastic build and average optics. Like, you’re in a small room and you want the person clearly in focus but not the lamp as out of focus as possible. A better holy trinity. 6. We’ve curated a list of the best MFT lenses for video in the market that will deliver optimum video quality and adaptability. And ultimately, that’s what he landed on. The image quality is fantastic, really sharp and the f1.4 aperture means it'll shoot extremely well in low light and it's easy to carry around since it's very compact and light. Jordan over at Admiring Light said, “the Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 X lens is a very high quality optic with a top end build quality to match. It brags a 7mm focal length and a 114- degree viewing angle for outstanding imagery sharpness and contrast. One of the smallest, yet sharpest lenses on the system. What happens if you switch off the OIS? My GF3 does not have IBIS so I guess OIS would help (slightly). It's a fast lens, again with a beautiful shallow depth of field and it's built the way old school lenses were. With the version II redesign coming later this month, I’d hit eBay for deals on version 1 if you don’t mind the old look. We also added the Canon 5D with their popular portrait lens, the 85mm F1.2 L for scale. Anyone looking for an MFT lens that has super telephoto zoom to shoot their videos should have this lens up their alley. I’ve done a lot of research and talked to a lot of pros, and renowned headshot photographer Peter Hurley uses ~f3.5 to f4 for headshots, renowned fashion and beauty photographer Lindsay Adler stops down to a minimum of f2.4 to f2.8 for portraiture and the list could go on. You could use it on an Olympus body, but it’s much preferred to use IBIS (you can’t use both). As such is you are willing to shoot your videos in prime, this manual lens provides impressive lighting speeds and spectacular optics. I may sound amateur here, but in a street photography situation, you often get your camera out in a rush. The constant aperture of f2.8 allows it to perform consistantly well throughout the 35-100mm range. Read my full review of the Olympus 45mm f1.8 here. So if I use my Panasonic 35-100 I just need to turn off the Power OIS to get the 5 axis IBIS on a new Olympus body? A couple of my favorite portraits with the 35-100 f2.8: Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 PRO (Amazon) – Quite well known in the Micro Four Thirds community, Robin Wong provides his thoughts (and beautiful photos!) Could I ask your opinion, been searching and reading (also your very informative post) but getting more in doubt than ever. All of these are interesting, expensive, and not terribly important to me. It was a good all around lens since I can’t buy new ones all that often. It doesn’t zoom and isn’t practical for macro photography (.6 foot minimum focusing distance), but beyond these caveats, this lens is great for photographs and videographers who need something fast, wide, and that works automatically. The ultra wide aperture makes it ideal in very low light or for anyone wanting super fast shutter speeds. I’m still playing with it and I think the biggest issue is just that the lens is too long for indoor shooting. I can’t think of any. Panasonic 7-14mm f4.0 (Amazon) – I like this lens, but I’m going to be honest, I’m salivating for the Panasonic-Leica 8-18mm f2.8-4.0 slated for release later this year. A 35mm full frame equivalent, it’s very special and produces aesthetics unique to it, call it Voigtlander'esque. When composing, live view shows the distortions and barrelling. of the Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 PRO. I may try the Voightlander 25mm or 17.5mm, but nothing can take away my love of the Nocticron. I finally caved. You should try one. Glad it helped! All Rights Reserved. Utilizing CameraSize, we’ve illustrated the size of each lens featured here on a Panasonic GX7. Which version of the panasonic 20mm f1.7 are you using? The jury is out on whether they will hold up for prolonged use. What lenses should I buy for my Micro 4/3 Camera? focal length and an external aperture ring. Last tip, remember the lens accessories. The other would be a shorter prime, my personal faves would be the 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, or 25mm f1.4. The variety of Micro Four Thirds lenses that are available in the market is proof of their versatility and the magic that these lenses with a moderately smaller sensor can achieve. Some of Chase Jarvis’ (and many others) favorite µ43 lenses are the Voigtlander f0.95 series, but personally, I’d rather have smaller lenses that retain autofocus. What are the biggest differences between the 45mm and the 25mm Olympus lenses on mirrorless? Nonetheless, a lot of people swear by this lens and thus I had to include it as an honorable mention. Shooting primarily headshots, it’s so convenient being able to switch focal lengths without having to switch lenses. f1.8 is always f1.8 across formats in terms of exposure. One example can be illustrated with the MTF chart of the newly released Panasonic 42.5mm f1.7 and the MTF chart for the Olympus 45mm f1.8, where Panasonic uses 40 lines/mm (green) and Olympus uses 60 lines/mm (orange). I primary shoot landscapes but would like to try portraits and street photography as well. It's actually a very versatile focal length I find. Really informative and useful post. Jim Fisher is our lead analyst for cameras, drones, and digital imaging. These are the best micro four thirds lenses (MFT) for your wide-angle and telephoto needs. Entrepreneur. Despite that, the MTF charts appear to show a very similar performance for both lenses, which seem to correlate with early reviews of the Panasonic. Let’s start with what I look for in a lens, and what I look for in lens performance. The skin tones and colours rendering are just astonishing. As the winner of the “Best Overall Lens for Micro Four Thirds” it only makes sense that the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 is also your best bet here. Here’s a couple examples that illustrate that from a photographer we’ve featured before, Sergei Yurin (shared with permission via Stunning Wedding Photography with Micro Four Thirds): Not quite the best examples with respect to the background blur chart, as both pictures are probably stopped down (at least the ladder is), nonetheless there’s a lot of beautiful samples to checkout from the Flickr Most Interesting Pool for the Olympus 75mm f1.8. Sigma 60mm F2.8 – Sharpness 11, Overall 21 (EP5, EM1). Olympus and Panasonic are the names most associated with Micro Four Thirds, but other manufactuers have made compatible cameras. The lenses sheet filter which is mounted from the rear is occasionally an impediment for videographers and as such is not ideal. I have the Pan 14mm 2.5 and shot video with it and it worked great in one of these venues, but it’s not quite tight enough for portraits of individual members. Another great benefit is this lens has image stabilization. Perhaps another low light prime? Fine for bright days as it’s very slow. The imagery captured using this lens has almost no distortions and color fringing. Although it has such a huge depth of field it's rarely an issue especially on urban landscapes where you've got plenty of time to set the focus. I do like the Olympus 45mm as a good value lens, though with the GX85 I’d opt for the Panasonic 42.5mm for the Dual IS compatibility. And the new 25mm pro lens, but I’m satisfied with what I have there. For lens performance, I look for sharpness, micro-contrast, a smooth rendering of bokeh and fast AF performance. It's only just surpassed by the Voigtlander. I can focus on the art and I don’t miss shots. Another guide I like is from Zach Arias, a long time well known photographer whom has recently decided to move to motion after many requests from clients. Haven’t personally used that lens though, perhaps next on my list. Back when I bought the Panasonic GF1 in 2009, I believe it was $800-900 with the 20mm f1.7 (not your average kit lens). Olympus ED 40-150mm 1:2.8 PRO. Thank you I’ve seen the price fluctuate on this one, currently $597 on Amazon, I’ve seen it at $500, and they do have a few pre-owned copies for a little over $400. Very informative, thanks. I know the idea for quality DoF is to get some workable distance both between your subject and the camera and between the subject and the background. The Olympus 35-100 f2 does look attractive! Though it should be noted that this review is a little old and you can find a used copy of this lens for under $900 now. Olympus 45 1.8. Anyway, I am thinking about the next lens. While it is not necessarily the newest lens as far as technology is concerned, this diagonal fisheye lens is still a solid choice for a lot of videographers as it brags features such as its 8mm- focal length that is effective to 16mm. I also have the 12-32 with that type and it’s very fast focusing. It is extremely compact and has an exceptionally small body. For reference, here’s an image that shows the Olympus 75mm near the PL 42.5mm (and the Oly 45mm), which shows the PL a little longer and wider. 3. The 20mm is slow focusing. I have yet to try low light situations since I’m not yet comfortable with the lens in daylight. Recall that I mentioned that I prefer primes over zooms any day, but that preference changes from person to person. is a wide-aperture telephoto zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras, but its performance suffers at the edges of the frame. I’ll probably sell the slower heavier lens. I have the 100-300mm and it doesn’t seem all that sharp to me which is why I bought the P/L today and plan to sell the 100-300mm. All the fast primes are capable of blurring the background, it’s just how far you want to go. The Lumix GX Vario 12-35mm/F2.8 is one MFT lens that gives users value for their money. I also state that I prefer primes over zooms. Now you say you can’t use a Panasonic lens with OIS with an Olympus IBIS camera. But at half the price and rated just as sharp, it’s a fan favorite and a hard lens to overlook. Surprisingly useful. For those willing to shoot prime, this Rokinon 35mm f1.5 offers stunning optics and lightning speed with some minor tradeoffs. Unfortunately, trying a few lenses is a rich man’s game. There’s two pools on Flickr for the Olympus 45mm, check them out here and here. Okay; I see what you mean that the “high” in “high bokeh” is a relative term. And then you can’t get any bokeh between the person and the background at all. They can work well for interiors, urban cityscapes and astro-photography, or any scene where you need your frame to be as wide as possible. This is why thought of upgrading my lens. Enjoyed your comparison of the both EM5 and EM5Mk2. I’ll let you know right away that I’m a little biased towards prime lenses. Also matched a clunky Helios with good results .I understand the crop factor thingy but still trying to understand the f stop when using prime lenses from legacy 35 mm systems. You should also consider acutance. As with most Lumix lens, it’s also weather and dust-proof. Any particular favorites? Also mentioning, “did not have fun shooting with it… I guess I’m used to shooting with primes to move around.” Honesty that is much appreciated, since Panasonic did lend him the lens for review. Since then, there have been a steady stream of new lenses released for the format. and especially looking for Olympus ED 25mm 1:1.2 PRO. I have the 12-35mm 2.8 and the 35-100mm 2.8 too but neither of those produces satisfactory results. In addition to nature photos, I shoot a lot of indoor concert photos of my daughter’s band. He has a thing for old lenses, boneyards, and waterfowl. I will be keeping an eye on what happens with the EM-D line and GH5 in the future as possible upgrades for my GH3. Until then, what are your favorite lenses for Micro Four Thirds and why? Disclaimer: Heavy Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs and may receive a commission if you purchase a product via a link on this page. I’d rather rely on 3rd party data (more on that below) and sample images from trusted photographers. Thanks Jay. Super-Wide Prime Lenses for Micro Four Thirds. We’ve covered this topic in-depth, including pros and cons, in our guide to FD lenses. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The lens lacks a filter attachment thread. I find I use it more that I expected and it’s a real joy to use creatively– well worth the price. But people on Craigslist don’t really know that thus you could still find deals on what people find to be 20+ year old equipment. Panasonic 20mm F1.7 – Sharpness 12, Overall 22 (EM1, EP5). And his choice of lenses include the Panasonic 7-14mm, Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8, Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 and last but not least the Panasonic-Leica 42.5mm f1.2. It’s best for video shooters who will be comfortable shooting manual. Primes tend to be sharper, let’s take a look at a LensTip comparison between the equally priced Panasonic 20mm f1.7 and 14-42mm X Vario PZ f3.5-5.6 (~$300) as well as the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 (~$700): Some Olympus lenses have an extra function button, such as the the.