Olympus M.Zuiko Digital Ed 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II Lens

When I bought my E-M5 II, I wanted the maximum resolution the system could give so I bought the PRO line of lenses, and the resolution of these lenses was excellent. However, I found that taking the camera with me on a day-to-day basis meant either being confined to a relatively narrower zoom range, or carrying a heavy bag of gear. So I decided to try the Zuiko ED 14-150 mm f/4-5.6 lens, being fully prepared to return it if it wasn't good enough. I then took all my PRO lenses (7-14 mm, 12 - 40 mm, & 40 - 150 mm) along with the new lens, found a nice, well-lit, complex image (a brick home with trees & shrubbery) & took a series of test shots, with the camera on a tripod, at 14 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, & 150 mm with each of the lenses that had those settings possible. I then ... MoreWhen I bought my E-M5 II, I wanted the maximum resolution the system could give so I bought the PRO line of lenses, and the resolution of these lenses was excellent. However, I found that taking the camera with me on a day-to-day basis meant either being confined to a relatively narrower zoom range, or carrying a heavy bag of gear. So I decided to try the Zuiko ED 14-150 mm f/4-5.6 lens, being fully prepared to return it if it wasn't good enough. I then took all my PRO lenses (7-14 mm, 12 - 40 mm, & 40 - 150 mm) along with the new lens, found a nice, well-lit, complex image (a brick home with trees & shrubbery) & took a series of test shots, with the camera on a tripod, at 14 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, & 150 mm with each of the lenses that had those settings possible. I then printed out the full frames with no correction of sharpening on 8 1/2 X 11 glossy paper and examined the images at an ordinary viewing distance as well as with a magnifying lens left over from my old days of printing dye transfer to align dye transfer matrices. As expected the 14 - 150 mm was slightly less sharp than the PRO lenses - when viewed with the magnifying lens, but to my eye the difference was quite small. The test prints viewed under ordinary circumstances were indistinguishable. While this wasn't a laboratory-controlled test as one reads in some of the magazines, it was for me a real-world test. I will keep the lens, and since it was sold at 1/3 off the regular price, it was a steal. When I go on a safari in Africa scheduled for this Fall, it will replace my 12 - 40 & 40 - 150 In my bag, and my back will thank me.

I bought my OM5 with the excellent 12-45 kit lens. My first use was taking informal / record photos at a friend's wedding. The clarity etc was great, but I wanted a more versatile lens for travel and holidays, preferably weather proof. This new lens fits the bill superbly and is clearly capable of excellent results. I really recommend it as an all round carry anywhere lens.

After 50+ years of photography, I currently work with several cameras both MFT and full frame - Olympus/OMS and Panasonic -. When I want to travel light and comfortable, I take my OMS OM5 with this lens and the Oly 9-18mm for a total eq. range of 18-300mm. The lens is small, light, and weather-sealed. It is not a lens for very low light conditions but otherwise it performs very well. Today, I was out photographing Fall landscapes in the hills of upstate New York and once again I thoroughly enjoyed working with this little system.