Our absolute favorite Olympus lenses include the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO and Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO. Read below for a closer look at these and other fantastic micro four-thirds lenses.
Olympus is a major player in the mirrorless camera world. Together with Panasonic, they have pioneered the micro four-thirds mirrorless sensor that allows for great image quality to come from a small camera. To match with their small, innovative cameras, Olympus and Panasonic have created a massive selection of small but high-quality lenses for the micro four-thirds format.
As such, micro four-thirds is a great format for landscape photographers looking to save weight but maintain quality. To help landscape photographers navigate the sea of options, this article will provide a run-down of the best micro Olympus four-thirds lenses for landscape photography.
Also check out our picks from the Panasonic side of MFT: Best Panasonic Micro Four-Thirds Lenses for Landscape Photography
Best Olympus Micro Four-Thirds Wide Angle Lenses for Landscape Photography
Value Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6
The Olympus M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 is the most affordable ultra-wide angle lens available for micro four-thirds. While it might not be tack sharp at wide-open apertures, stopped down to f/8 it performs very well. It’s also a tiny lens that may be perfect for a micro four-thirds photographer looking for a small and capable ultra-wide that isn’t too hard on the wallet.
Its full-frame equivalent focal length on the long end is 18mm, which isn’t as wide as the other micro four-thirds ultra-wide offerings, but still offers a very wide field of view. Overall, I wouldn’t call it a screaming deal or an exceptional performer, but does qualify as a good value buy that will suit the needs of most landscape photographers out there.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6:
AMAZONTop Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO
The Olympus M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO lens is the absolute best ultra-wide angle lens in the micro four-thirds world. It’s features a full-frame equivalent 14mm field of view, a fast f/2.8 max aperture, and a weather-sealed exterior. If you have a weather-sealed camera body, this lens is definitely the obvious choice. And that f/2.8 max aperture might come in nice for night photography. Oh yeah, it also performs where it really matters: creating stunningly sharp images.
Its price may be off-putting, but is a pretty typical price for a lens of this caliber. My only real qualm is the bulbous front element that prevents use of screw-on filters. If you want to save a few bucks, you might also consider the Panasonic G Vario 7-14mm f/4, but the M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 truly is a cut above.
Check current prices the Olympus M.Zuiko 7-18mm f/2.8 PRO:
AMAZONBest Olympus Micro Four-Thirds Mid-Range Lenses for Landscape Photography
Top Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO has got to be the ultimate all-around landscape lens for micro four-thirds! It’s definitely my favorite on the list. This lens pulls out literally all of the stops. It’s got a huge focal range (full-frame equivalent of 24-200mm), and stays tack sharp at all focal lengths. That fact alone makes it a fantastic lens.
But wait, there’s more! This lens is weather-sealed, is superb in terms of build quality, and features on-board image stabilization. All that combined with its constant f/4 aperture makes this lens a straight-up rockstar. Perhaps the turnoffs might be its size (weighs in at 1.23 lb / 560 g) which is a little on the large side, and it’s fairly slow aperture.
If you really need a fast aperture for night photography you might take a look at the M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2 PRO, otherwise I do think the M.Zuiko 12-100mm takes the title as the best mid-range zoom for micro four-thirds!
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm f/4 IS PRO:
AMAZONTop Pick: Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO
The Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO is perhaps the sharpest mid-range zoom available for micro four-thirds. It achieves tack sharp images, especially when stopped down to around f/8, at all focal lengths. It’s also built like a tank and is weather-sealed to match Olympus’ pro-grade camera bodies.
While many landscape photographers might not necessarily need the fast f/2.8 aperture, it sure is nice to have, especially for night landscapes. It’s also priced quite reasonably for a fast pro-quality zoom lens. As such, I think this is a no-brainer for professionals and enthusiasts that are looking for a fast zoom and find this lens within their budget.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO:
AMAZONValue Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R
While it might not be a pro-grade lens, the Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R is not your average kit lens either. The design of the lens is on it’s third generation (hence the II R on the end of its name), and Olympus has done a good job of maximizing the performance of this inexpensive lens.
It isn’t as sharp as the Olympus PRO lenses, but for most photographers — and especially novices — it is sharp enough to get the job done. If you need weather-sealing or a fast aperture, you will have to look elsewhere. Otherwise, I do think this a solid performer that will give you a ton of bang for your buck, especially when purchased as a kit with an Olympus mirrorless body. You can read my in-depth review of this lens here.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R:
AMAZON ADORAMAValue Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II
Really looking for some bang-for-your-buck? Check out the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-150 f/4-5.6 II. With a full-frame equivalent focal range of 28-300mm, this an extremely versatile lens that covers wide-angle, normal, and telephoto focal lengths. Oh, and did I mention that it is also weather-sealed? Like I said, bang-for-your-buck.
Of course, there are drawbacks. Obviously, it isn’t a fast lens, and its corner sharpness is pretty soft at every focal length and aperture. But if you value having a weather-sealed lens with a huge focal range over everything else, this might be the lens for you.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II:
AMAZON ADORAMABest Olympus Micro Four-Thirds Telephoto Lenses for Landscape Photography
Olympus has a couple great telephoto options below, but leaves a big gap in the mid-range price point. Panasonic picks up the slack in that area, read more: Best Panasonic MFT Lenses for Landscape Photography
Top Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150 f/2.8 PRO is the de-facto top pick for the best dedicated telephoto zoom. This lenses does have a lot going for it. It’s got a nice long focal range (80-300mm full-frame equivalent), a fast f/2.8 max aperture, excellent build quality with weather-sealing, and fantastic sharpness all the way across the board.
However, this lens weighs in at 32 oz / 880 g, which is a behemoth in the world of mirrorless cameras. As such, I do think you really have to “weigh” your priorities before fully investing in this lens. This lens really does produce fantastic quality images, but if you are in need of a smaller and lighter telephoto lens, take a look at the other choices a this list, or consider Panasonic’s micro four-thirds offerings as well.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO:
AMAZON ADORAMABudget Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R
The Olympus M.Zuiko 40-50mm f/4-5.6 R is a “consumer” grade telephoto lens that is actually a solid choice a great many landscape photographers out there. As you might expect from a lens of this price, its sharpness gets questionable as you zoom past 100mm, and it always needs to be stopped down to f/5.6 or beyond to maximize sharpness in the corners.
Even if you are an enthusiast or a pro, if you only occasionally shoot telephoto, this might good enough to suit your needs, as long you can work within the limitations of the lens. As such, I think most landscape photographers would be well served consider this lens before automatically assuming that a pricey and heavy “pro” is absolutely necessary. To boot, this lens can be found for obscenely cheap when on sale. It really is a screaming deal if you can make it work for your needs.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R:
AMAZON ADORAMASolid Pick: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II is too long of a lens to be considered for landscape photography alone (it’s the full-frame equivalent of 150-600mm). However, I mention it because many landscape photographers also end up in the position to grab wildlife shots. And if you have a few hundred dollars laying around to invest in another lens, this is a great long lens that may allow you to capture some images you might otherwise miss.
It’s not at all a fast lens, so it will struggle in low light, so you will have to know its limits when you’re out in the field. If you’re going on a trip where you’re expecting to shoot more wildlife, you might even consider renting from a place like Borrow Lenses.
Check current prices for the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II:
AMAZON ADORAMALooking for a Great Mirrorless Camera?
Check out our BIG list of the Best Mirrorless Cameras for Landscape Photography
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