Olympus 14-150mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED M.Zuiko Digital was announced last year (2009) in November as an all-in-one ”vacation lens” for the PEN digital cameras. It is designed specifically for the micro-four-thirds camera format and delivers an effective field of view of 28-300mm on such cameras.

This versatile lens offers high-power 10.7x zoom. It is a perfect companion for those who want to shoot wide-scenes, portraits and subjects at a distance without carrying around several lenses.

The lens is optimized for movie shooting with low focusing noise. It is said to be extremely fast high-speed contrast AF. It also features 0.50m / 1.64 ft. closest focusing distance and 0.24x / 1:4.2 magnification ratio.

The 14-150mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED models’ optical construction combines 15 elements in 11 groups. There’re 2 aspherical and 2 ED (Extra Dispersion) glass elements among them to minimize various types of aberrations. All lens elements are also multi-coated to resist ghost and flare.

The lens uses internal focusing method, so it is convenient to use various filters with it. It takes 58mm filters and is also compatible with the LH-61C Lens Hood available separately. The lens measures only 83mm in length and sells at around $700.

Lens Reviews:

Slrgear.com:
This is a very good lens, not the sharpest but certainly very good for a superzoom. It shows some high chromatic aberration at certain focal lengths, but for the wide range of focal lengths the lens offers, it’s probably a small price to pay.

Olympus 14-150mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED M.Zuiko Digital – Specifications:

• Image Circle: Micro Four-Thirds
• Focal Length: 14 - 150mm
• Focal Length 35mm Equivalent: 28 - 300mm
• Maximum Aperture: ƒ/4 - 5.6
• Minimum Aperture: ƒ/22
• Diaphragm Blades: 7 (Circular Aperture)
• Lens Construction:
• 15 Elements in 11 Groups
• 2 aspherical and 2 ED elements
• Diagonal Angle of View: 75 to 8.2 degrees
• Internal Focus; AF/MF
• Rotary Zoom System
• Closest Focus: 0.50m / 1.64 ft.
• Magnification Ratio: 0.24x / 1:4.2 (0.48x / 1:2.1 35mm eq.)
• Filter Size: 58mm
• Length x Diameter: 83mm x 63.5mm / 3.27 in. x 2.5 in.
• Weight: 290g / 10.2 oz
• Optional LH-61C Lens Hood Available
• Price Tag: US$600

What’s new: The lens was reviewed by SLRgear!

The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4-5.6 belongs to the company’s line-up of Micro Four Thirds system lenses. It is a wide-angle zoom lens, and delivers 18-36mm focal length equivalent and a superb 100-60-degree angle of view. It was announced back in November 2009.

As Micro Four Thirds digital cameras are compact in size (if compared to Four thirds DSLR-s), they need a compact lens to match their designs. So, this lens, as well as Olympus 14-42mm kit lens, is small and measures only 2.2″ x 1.9″ (57 x 50 mm) when retracted.

As to its optical construction, the 9-18mm F4-5.6 combines 12 elements in 8 groups and includes two dual-surface aspheric elements, as well as Extraordinary Dispersion (ED) and High Refractive (HR) glass elements to help minimize chromatic aberration.

The lens feature 0.1x maximum magnification and 0.25m minimum focusing distance. Its 7 diaphragm blades close to a rounded aperture.

The Micro Motor drives autofocus in the lens providing for near-silent autofocus operation, which is handy in movie recording. There are internal focusing and zoom systems in the lens, so you can enjoy the convenient usage of 52mm filters and polarizers.

The lens’s Micro Four Thirds mount means that it can be used with both Olympus and Panasonic Micro 4/3 cameras.

Lens Reviews:

Dpreview.com:
The lens is exceptionally small and lightweight and delivers very good image quality with almost no vignetting, as well as fast and practically silent autofocus. Though, it produces relatively high chromatic aberration and some amount of corner softness when wide open.

Slrgear.com:
For its size, the lens provides impressive performance. While there are other lenses which provide similar or better performance, none can offer its diminutive size and storage functionality.

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6 – Specifications:

• Focal length: 9-18mm
• Focal Length Equivalent: 18-36mm
• Diagonal Angle of View: 100º - 62º
• Maximum Aperture: F4-5.6
• Minimum Aperture: F22
• Lens Construction: 12 elements / 8 groups
• Glass Elements: 1 ED, 1 HR, 2 Dual Surface Aspherical, 1 Aspherical Element
• 7diaphragm Blades (Rounded)
• Minimum Focus: 0.25m
• Maximum Magnification: 0.1x
• AF Motor Type: Micro Motor
• Internal Focus method
• Filter thread: 52mm
• Supplied Accessories: Front and rear caps
• Optional Accessories: LH-55B Lens Hood
• Weight: 155 g/5.5 oz
• Diameter: 56.5mm/2.2 in.
• Length: 49.5mm/1.9 in
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Price: US $700

The Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8 - f/3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens is a high-power telephoto zoom lens with a focal length equivalent to 100 to 400mm. It is developed for digital capture with smart technology and is compatible with the cameras that use 4/3-type image sensor.

As to its optical design, the lens consists of 16 elements in 15 groups, with three Extraordinary Dispersion glass elements that help minimize color inaccuracy, chromatic aberration and fringing. The lens also features the SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) autofocusing system, which translates into a relatively quiet and quick autofocus.

As the manufacturer describes their product, it delivers bright, sharp and distortion-free images with rich, accurate colors, fine contrasts even at the edges. It is claimed to be splash-proof.

Close-up shooting capability is also superb, with a minimum shooting distance of just 1.2 meters throughout the zoom range.

A zoom ring on the lens offers traditional dial zooming. Zoom operation does not rotate the front element, so it opens the way to the usage of the 67mm filters.

Lens Reviews:

Ephotozine.com:
Overall, the lens performed well enough. But its autofocus a little slow and its hood seems a little fragile for class of lens.

Olympus 50-200 millimeter Zuiko Zoom Lens - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 50-200mm
• Focal Length 35mm Equivalent: 100-400mm
• Lens Construction: 16 Elements in 15 Groups, including 3 ED lenses
• Dust & Drip Proof
• Internal Focusing System
• Angle of View: 24-6.2 Degree
• Closest Focusing Distance: 1.2m
• Maximum Image Magnification: 0.21x
• 35mm equivalent Maximum Magnification: 0.42x
• Minimum Field Size: 81×61mm
• Number of Blades: 9 (Circular Diaphragm)
• Maximum Aperture: f 2.8– f 3.5
• Minimum Aperture: f 22
• Filter Size: 67mm
• Diameter: 86.5×157mm
• Weight: 995g
• Compatibility: Tele Converters, Extension Tube EX-25
• Accessories: Lens Cap, Lens Rear Cap, Lens Hood, Lens Case

Official Information: olympusamerica.com.

Together with the new PEN E-P2 Micro Four Thirds standard digital camera Olympus announced plans to release two more Micro 4/3 lenses in the first half of 2010, an ultrazoom and a wide zoom. They are currently in development.

The lenses include a wide-angle zoom Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 lens (18-36mm equivalent) and wide to telephoto zoom Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens (28-300mm equivalent). The manufacturer promises that they will offer uncompromising image quality and brightness with edge-to-edge sharpness.

Lenses for this format, especially telephoto ones, should be compact to match the cameras’ bodies. The 9-18mm is said to measure less than 50mm in physical size (2.0 inches). It is significantly smaller than the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 Four Thirds standard lens that has an identical zoom range.

The 14-150mm, in its turn should measure about 65mm (about 2.5 inches). Such lightweight - and at the same time durable! - design means that you can easily take your PEN camera anywhere for DSLR-quality images.

Both lenses will use ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements to eliminate the color aberration that is harmful for image quality, especially when a lens is wide-open. When mounting these lenses on any Olympus PEN camera (EP-1 and EP-2 for now), you can also take advantage of the camera’s in-body Image Stabilization system, which helps compensate for camera shake.

These two lenses join the existing 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (28-84mm) and 17mm f2.8 (34mm equivalent) optics, announced with the EP-1.

And I’ll remind you, that Micro 4/3 bodies are as well compatible with larger full Four Thirds lenses via an adapter.

Features in Summary:

The Olympus 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6 super-telephoto lens was launched in 2007 featuring equivalent 140-600mm focal length range (in 35mm photography) at an affordable price. It is designed to fit the four-thirds sensor and can also operate on micro four-thirds bodies via adapter.

The lens’s compact and lightweight design makes it a perfect complement to portable D-SLRs like the EVOLT E-410 and E-510. It is particularly useful while photographing distant scenes, wildlife, sports, etc.

The 70-300mm lens features advanced optical design and promises to produce accurate color and sharp photographs edge to edge. It incorporates high-quality optical glass, including 3 ED glass elements for rich color and crisp shots.

All Zuiko lenses – and this one is not an exception - use their own CPU and are lead-free, utilizing titanium within the optical design for lightweight comfort and durability.

The lens comes is supplied with a circular-styled hood, takes 58mm filters, and is available now for $470.

Lens Reviews:

SLRgear.com:
For the money, the Olympus 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6 offers good results for sharpness, particularly under 150mm and especially at 100mm. CA, corner shading and distortion are also well-controlled.

Alternatives/Rivals: Olympus 50-200mm ƒ/2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital, Sigma 135-400mm ƒ/4.5-5.6 DG APO, Sigma 50-500mm ƒ/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO.

Olympus 70-300mm ƒ/4-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital – Specifications:

• Image Circle: Four-Thirds
• Type: Telephoto Zoom
• Focal Length: 70 - 300mm
• Focal Length 35mm Equivalent: 140 - 600mm
• Max Aperture: ƒ/4 - 5.6
• Min Aperture: ƒ/22
• 9 Diaphragm Blades
• Lens Construction: 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED elements
• Diagonal Angle of View (Based on image circle): 18 to 4.1 degrees
• Focus Details: AF or MF
• No Front Element Rotation
• Rotary Zoom System
• Closest Focus: 1.2m / 3.9 ft. (0.96m / 3.1 ft. using manual focus)
• Magnification Ratio: 0.5x / 1:2
• Filter Size: 58mm
• Dimensions: (L x D): 127mm x 80mm / 5.0 in. x 3.1 in.
• Weight: 620g / 21.8 oz
• Included Accessories: Lens Hood
• Typical Online Price: US$500