Along the new E-M5II Olympus will also finally launch the new 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO lens! The other PRO lens, the 300mm f/4.0 will ship the second half of 2015. Both lenses are already listed at BHphoto without pricing info:
Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO Lens (here at BHphoto).
Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 300mm f/4 PRO Lens (here at BHphoto).
I am yet not 100% sure if the 8mm f/1.8 fisheye will be unveiled at CP+ or 1-2 months later. But it’s going to ship for sure this summer. AT CP+ we will also get a new 14-150mm “R” version.
I yet have no solid info on new Panasonic MFT lenses but I hope to get them soon 😉
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161 Responses
We can only hope. I’m very interested in this thing, hopefully the price won’t be too insane.
It will be pricier then Panasonic so for me it will be insane..
F4 vs F2.8 .
How many stops you win over it .
Think about it .
The weather-resistance and larger maximum aperture are enough for the difference in price, even if the optical quality is similar.
I’ve been waiting far too long for an ultra wide lens, having looked at the Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 for years and not being that tempted, due to the maximum aperture. At f/2.8, it seems an easy choice.
Yes , provided you can absorb that premier price of the lens .
Everything is possible .
I’m sure that it will have a premium price, but I was close to paying US$1399.99 for the Four-Thirds Olympus lens. If it’s around there, it won’t be a difficult choice.
I want this lens so bad… Panasonic 7-14 is not very sharp and sometime flares are insane…
Not so sharp? First time I have heard of it.
Probably “released” at CP+ in February and not available due “unexpected high demand” until August or so…
Actually, the apparently difficult to get lenses, such as the O 2.8/40-150mm are quite easy to buy, as long you look for them and you have a bunch of good dealers in your country.
I never waited more than a months for a popular lens after its first availability and never preordered.
Usually, it is more the dealers fault (failing to order) and not the manufactuers.
It will be the same with the O 2.8/7-14mm.
I hope Olympus isn’t so insane as to price it insanely high and I also hope it doesn’t have these insane flares that the Panasonic apparently has. Also, I hope we don’t have to wait insanely long to get it.
An Oly rep spoke of a price around 1300 euros.
No ! Should go higher .
We don’t care about pricing , as long it deliver , price is nothing .
What is the debut price for Pana 7-14mm , remember ?
How could this F2.8 be 1.3K
I payed it 800 euros two years ago. I will sell it to a friend for 500 euros.
High price always refer to higher optic performance
Insanity is nigh.
Stop the insanity.
Also, I’d really need this before July (want a wide lens for vacation), so please hurry up, Olympus.
Good .
This is the lens definitely having readers attention .
Let’s rush it & make it happen .
ow can’t wait 🙂
Those front most elements look like they must be an insane amount of fun to make.
I think the new 14-150mm will be much less then insanely good.
2 different lenses , Mark .
This one can capture woman with the whole queen size bed
ha good example Yun! lol
No EM5II leaks so far!? What’s up Oly?
There were plenty of leaks already.
Sorry I meant image leaks, as admin told us it will have a different design.
Only got that multiple 40 MP catch .
Is already a big cheers for Oly fans .
Check previous post .
I’m curious about the new design of the body and normally Olympus let some images to be leaked before the announcements. Not a fan here…
i am curious about the looks too, same or changes
I bet it will have differ design slightly compare with EM5 .
Let’s wait & see if my guess is correct .
Sure someone in this earth already saw the image of the EM5 successor .
Is the 4/3 rumor still not getting it yet .
Crap! It’s the 300/4.0 I want.
Wonder how the Oly Reps reacted to the Nikon 300/4 PF which is 5cm’ shorter than the Oly 300/4. The Oly is 600mm in 35terms I know. Maybe Oly should rethink the 300 design.
regarding to lens designs i think there always a valid reason why something is longer or shorter
Which reasons? I held the tiny Nikon 300mm lately and it took great pics (me without being an expert to say so) but it is like the compromise we 43shooters make to get a smaller system. I have to admit that holding a 15cm 300mmfocallength lens was quite impressive, event so the price…
any reason , dont ask me, ask the engineer. You never hold one of the older legacy 300 mm slower speed lenses? 15 cm is good but something in design change can make this possible, not hard to guess. Btw the OM 300 f/4 was 18cm
It’s the “phase phrensal” optical element. It will lead to some flare issues, but allows for smaller and lighter lenses.
I have Zuiko 300mm f/4.5 and its damn small one.
Compare to old Zuiko 350mm f/2.8 that is 28cm long but just so dreamy…
Like you stated, the Olympus is 600mm focal length equivalent. You can’t compare them at all as they are completely different-not even close-focal lengths.
The 300/4 ought to be the sharpest µ4:3 lens thus far, just as the 300/2.8 was the sharpest 4:3 optic.
And 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro is Olympus best optics for 4/3 sensor, beating everything else.
You don’t need it… If you think you do, you should learn more photography first.
This looks good but i want more news on the EM5II.
I have a feeling this will be a expensive lens…
This looks like an insane piece of glass. Is that a locked-on hood? I just need a clever engineer at Panasonic/Olympus to build nd filters into an m43 body so I can use it outside for video.
just close your aperture, on such type of lens you prefer to do that anyway
I’d prefer Olympus make an adaptor 4/3-M4/3 that can accept filter at the back to make ZD714 works well with filters. However, why they don’t make an adaptor for Lee or Hitech with the new lens? That’s will be a great idea.
I counte the times the word “insane” and derivatives has been used ’till now in the comments: 10 already! That’s insane…oops! 11!
It will have to be exceptional to beat the Panasonic 7-14mm.
But I can hear the cries and see the bitter tears flowing already…
doesn’t take filters… WAHHHHHH
too big and heavy… WAAAHHH
too expensive… BOOOO HOOOO
If it’s better than the Panasonic, and not crazy expensive, I’ll definitely get one.
+1 on everything you said Jeff.
I seem to be using my 7-14 mostly at the 7mm end, so I’m going to wait for the 8mm f1.8. It will probably be as small as what I go now and hopefully sharper and definietly brighter.
Which we’ll never get because Oly is oblivious to wide angle needs. I’d take that 8mm 1.8 too and at a premium.
I would love to buy the Pana 7-14mm instead but… I shoot with Oly bodies and there seem to be some problems. On the other hand, I would be hesitant to spend 1800 Euro for a lens that just fixes the flare problem of the Pana lens on Oly bodies.
Then this lens is for you if you willing to pay €1.8K or
just get a GH4 , problem solved .
I had considered Pana 7-14mm as my ultra-wide lens but decided to hold after checking out how good Sony 16-35mm and Fuji 10-24mm are. If I am going to spend $1000 it’s hard to resist the fuji 10-24mm which can take filters, has OIS and longer range.
The aperture of Oly 7-14mm can’t be beaten though. No other mirrorless system has ultra-wide lens at f2.8 AFAIK.
I’ll wait for it on Olympus Refurb one month later and save 400 bucks………because you know that’s going to happen.
Jeff — Very funny. But in regard to the “doesn’t take filters,” while I’m not whining, that’s a disappointment for me. In the world of Nikon FX, we have both the 14-24mm and the 16-35mm (and also the 18-35mm) wide-angle lenses. I use either depending on the situation.
But my big disappointment with M43 has always been at the wide-angle side of things. The Pana 7-14mm is good but doesn’t take filters. The Oly 9-18mm takes filters but it’s a fairly crappy landscaper lens (murky corners and really ugly out-of-focus areas). I would have been more excited to see Olympus make a high-quality 9-18mm replacement that DOES take filters, instead of them simply repeating something that already exists (even though I know that this one will be slightly better).
An UWA that easily takes filters (ND’s especially) is extremely useful to landscapers like myself.
Try ZD 918 not MZD 918 you will be satisfied.
What’s more DIY a filter holder for PANA 714 without corners is easy.
Fully agreed here. And i want to use normally built filters, not DIY ones that are bulky and tedious. Actually i’d love a UWA prime, like 8 or 9 mm – then i can still “zoom” with my arm.
Filterhalter für das Zuiko 7-14: http://youtu.be/DJ0tpBLfcDc
Filterhalter für Panasonic 7-14mm: http://youtu.be/65kiE_TNkFg
Aaand you can soon get similars for Pro model too!
Or you can always make your own… You really often just need to ND filter these days.
Yes, I know you can do this. But now you’ve just made your M43 bigger and more clumsy than the Nikon 10-24mm for a DX dSLR. I’d pick the Nikon at that point.
I made a filter adaptor for my 7-14mm.
I bought an extra lens cap, cut out the face with a Dremel tool and epoxied a 72mm-77mm step-up ring to it. Works fine.
Panasonic 7-14mm can take filters, just check YouTube for samples.
….but how will the fidelity of this lens compare to the Panasonic? 🙂
Well, the 7-14 Pany is no perfect lens, but it is very very good. The Oly questions will be:
– How good is it wide open?
– How is the flare/ghosting?
– How well does it make sun stars?
If it is in the same league as the other Oly Pro lenses it will likely be very very very good (and NOT inexpensive)
This is a series of gorgeous zooms, good job Olympus. 40-150mm f2.8 was crazily popular last year (rightly so) and won the best zoom lens of the Year in image-resource. Let’s see if the Olympus 7-14mm can win a ton of awards and reviews in 2015. 😉
Please I hope for the love of God it doesn’t suck in the corners and have the horrid contrast of the overpriced 9-18mm. Add to that no funky massive distortion either. GET IT RIGHT OLYMPUS OR DON”T DO IT AT ALL.- Your devoted slightly pissed off fan.
It looks like it’s going to be a pretty huge lens, so you may well be vindicated…
Not a bigger than 12-40mm at wide position.
Well, so far Oly has a great track record with the PRO line of lenses, so hopefully this will be no exception.
Admin (off topic) : have you got any leaks, hints or rumors on what Panasonic is cooking, lens wise?
The exact thing I’m waiting too .
No lens roadmap at all .
How could Pana let Oly overtake it’s lenses ( 35-100mm & now 7-14mm ) ?
Not the Pana I know .
Or maybe it’s busy with how to deal with the upcoming a7000 with 5 axis tech with it’s GX7 successor .
so Yun…you soooooo just where your fanbois ism on your sleeve.
It’s so cute! 🙂
where = wear
It’s funny to watch a fool correct the spelling of his insults.
LOL!!
If I have only one dream-ware in head right now, its PL25 v2
(edit) its 4 year old. Not old by any stretch, but the newer designs of the PL42.5 and PL15 makes it look dated now…
Sounds pretty well .
Pana 25mm deserve to be upgrade but not when I sell my old one first .
You are right with the design matter , the Pana 25mm not a good looking lens for me too .
Initially it’s easy to let go this lens but because of Oly come out it’s Zuiko 25mm ,
price is not good in resale market .
I am sorry but what? What is wrong with Panasonic lenses? They haven’t gone anywhere! They are not bad at all! They are great if you just like Panasonic and little odd focal lengths. Like the 35-100mm is only there to directly copy Canon and Nikon 70-200mm. Or like a 30mm or 20mm lenses. Just little too Leica styled focal lengths.
It’s the other way around actually. The Pana I know never have better zooms than Oly in 4/3. Oly has ZD 14-35, 35-100 f2. Pana? Meh.
All we know is that they are working on a 30mm f2.8 and then there is the forever delayed 150mm f2.8. Neither one excites me.
It would be nice to get a sense of what direction they are going with lens design. Right now it seems to be all over the place (ie. compact GM and large portrait lenses but no telephoto).
That 30mm, meh… If I did not already have the PL25, maybe I’d find it interesting..
As for the 150mm, at what size, performance and cost? I mean, there is an Olympus zoom which apparently gets lots of rave…
Still no definitive word on whether a filter turret with hard-to-duplicate-in-software filters is included. Not necessarily a deal breaker but it would be real nice to have.
We’ve known about these lenses for a year, and the 300 ships second half of the year? Meanwhile, the new (smaller) Nikkor 300 f/4 was announced by Nikon last week and ships next month. WTF Oly?
Yes, but Nikon filed the patent for the 300mm f4 lens in January 2012. It is been a long wait for them as well.
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/08/04/the-latest-nikon-lens-patents.aspx/
Which camera companies do left and right. There are tons of patents outstanding, that part makes sense. I think it’s a bad marketing move to take a prototype to a show and fail to launch it for a year. I am not alone in this feeling, you just can’t do it. You don’t announce a product until you’re close to release date, or the hype builds, then dies, before you actually get it to market.
Yeah you are right in a normal case (that of nikon eg) but Olympus had to assure the buyers of their (“pro”) bodys that they invest in a healthy system which will see some awsome lenses in the future. Maybe fewer people would buy an em-1 if they didn’T see those pro zuiko lenses at the horizon.
Perhaps you’re right about that one. I feel a roadmap would be sufficient for that, but perhaps not. I still would like to evaluate this against the new Nikon, but I want to have a lens in hand before this one is going to launch, it seems.
If the Olympus would have made just one lens, it should have been out in a month of presentation.
But Olympus played it well, professionals are jumping from DSLR to mirror less and they need to buy everything more likely again.
It is beneficial to have small size and weight, but only if there are lenses covering wanted angle of view range.
And olympus presented it will have 2015 all Pro lenses out.
7-14mm f/2.8
12-40mm f/2.8
40-150mm f/2.8
300mm f/4
Tele-converter 1.4x
That is a such a package that you don’t need anything else. No need to look even Zeiss brand or anything Canon and Nikon has done. Sony is the only threat but even it seems to have problems about what to do, as still the cameras are big (body small, lens big).
We can’t judge anything like we did 3-5 years ago. M4/3 system has came long way and in very fast pace and catched everyone technology wise.
I just bought a combo E-M5+25mm f/1.8 for 489€ for new (three years warranty). I could have taken E-M10 but o have E-M1 so no need. I wanted E-M5 as it is already a “collectors” camera, something that Canikony has not managed to do for long time, only maybe a Sony A7r or A7s comes close but only among specific styled photographers that are more about technology than photography, while OM-D is gaining status like Leica.
Now waiting a second 40-150mm + TC14 to arrive. It will be great gift later with own special coating and case.
True, a Zeiss on m43 would be heathen waste…
Yet people demand a roadmap, way ahead of any lens release!
Seems to be wrong either way – an early disclosure, or a late one.
I find a reliable roadmap with a 1-1.5 year time span very reassuring.
No waiting in the dark, no waporware. Then you know what to plan for.
huh? that’s a patent application. not a patent.
The rear element must be a real challenge to manufacture. Seems like a uniquely-shaped double aspherical lens which would require some manual polishing. While potentially providing corner-to-corner sharpness with minimum distortion, it may hint to an eye watering price tag. $1700 is unfortunately quite realistic, I’m afraid.
This is off topic, but since there hasn’t been any news on how Olympus is doing with the promised reimagining of the PEN lineup or the Trip D in ages, I thought I’d offer another option. I’d buy this camera. Would you? Oly could do it. Panny should do it, but might hurt their deal with Leica:
* A full frame camera with native M mount support (no autofocus)
* A killer EVF with fantastic focus peaking
* 4K video
* a tilting LCD screen (obviously, no autofocus, but still useful
* 5 axis IBIS
* under US$2K
Sony almost has it with the A7ii, but not quite
Without the ability for Olympus to sell their own high-end lenses, that option doesn’t seem like it has legs. And the materials cost for such a machine would likely be nearly $2K by itself. I don’t imagine Sony is making huge profit margins on the A7 II, and it doesn’t have 4K processing capabilities, nor a Leica M licensing fee attached…
I guess I just don’t think a FF Olympus fits into their business model…
Olympus are not business minded. There is a dream and demand from OLympus users for full frame OMD or DSLR, however, the the company has not listened. The path for decision process is very slow in today’s Japanese business culture. Olympus is letting engineers doing their trade without clear strategic thinking from the top.
There isn’t enough demand for Olympus to produce a FF camera and complete lens line up.
FF is only 7% of ILC sales and Olympus would only attract a tiny % of users to move from other brands who already have a lot of money invested in other systems and have a far larger range of lenses and accessories to choose from. Economic suicide.
The M lens lineup exists. What’s missing is a beautiful but affordable digital camera for it.
M mount requires no licensing fee, AFAIK.
Nice specs, but I don’t think they’re going away from M43 anytime soon.
As for the wide angle lens, I’m not a fan of super wides, so my 12mm prime of M43 suits me fine. Obviously, a lot of people covet this lens though!
I hope they stay in M43, of course. This would be a second lineup. One sensor class up or down seems too incremental, so 1″ ILC or APSC ILC makes no sense. But a leapfrog up to a format that already has a big catalog of lenses and no licensing fee for the mount would be interesting to me as an addition to my M43 kit, not in place of it.
Olympus stays in m4/3. There is no valid reasons to jump anywhere. Already shown that m4/3 gets same results in bright and low light as biggest DSLR sports cameras and for landscape cameras. Sure the Mpix is just half of those but no other reasons for any photographer who knows something about a photography.
Other way around as many believes, a long tele is far more often better choice for landscapes than ultra-wide. And 12mm is already a very wide one.
It is rarely usable to have a 7-14mm range but those few times when it can be used, it does amazing things.
To each his own… speak for yourself.
I do a lot of landscapes, and my most used lens is the ZD 7-14/4.0.
I also of course use tele lenses for the same purpose, like the ZD 35-100/2.0 and ZD 90-250/2.8, which are great too. It all comes down to style, preferences and the subject at hand. Saying tele is better than wide therefore makes no sense. Sometimes you can’t get wide enough, sometimes not long enough… Landscape is such a versatile category, and the choice and use of lenses are bound to reflect that. Ugh – I’ve spoken!
I rather you make a proposal to Pana how to counter the upcoming great a7000 rather than this full frame tales .
For now, the M43 counter is still the size and variety of the lens lineup.
Interesting idea, but Fuji or Ricoh are (slightly) more likely to follow it than Olympus or Panasonic. The highest cost in such a camera would be the M mount licensing fee.
M mount has long expired for any licensing fees. Most Japanese companies have long prayed for the death of M mount. However, it is not going to happen soon as long as there is a demand.
Sounds like you just need to wait 6 months for the Sony A7S mark II.
A9 may be sooner.
Yes, this begs the question, as others have started to ask – where is Panasonic in the lens area? Are they focusing on bodies (4K and IBIS), high quality fast PL primes (like the 15/1.7 and 42.5/1.2)?
The engineers don’t get to come out until the 150mm f/2.8 is finished.
Panasonic is doing great for years now.
I’m using the Pana 7-14/4, 12-35/2.8 and 35-100/2.8 since more than 2 years. I don’t need 2.8 on the wide angle but I need them all to fit in the handlebar bag of my bicycle. Together with the GH3, I have a lineup which is just perfect for my needs.
In addition, Pana has some primes and some very small lenses which are less expensiv and less fast.
For some people 100mm might be to short and I think Pana should add something in the range above (100-300). I don’t have much need for this but others might.
A Panasonic 100-300mm F4 would be very nice!
They just released the collapsible 12-32mm, collapsible 35-100mm, Leica 15/1.7 and Leica 42.2/1.2. They have had the relatively compact 12-35/2.8 and 35-100/2.8 in their line-up for years.
Olympus seems to be focusing on enormous f/2.8 zooms. I think most of us got into M43 for the compact size, and couldn’t care less about these enormous f/2.8 zooms.
Well, I think Panasonic should:
– Produce an MKII version of the 35-100/2.8 as I found it wanting in sharpness on the long end
– Make an excellent 100-300/4 OIS (the current 100-300 is not very good)
– Give us an excellent 150/2.8 (or better yet f/2) with OIS
– Produce an excellent wide prime (10/1.8 PL or so)
And what about mid-range 12-50/2.8-4 for the E-M5II?
my fingers are super-crossed for a 12-60…
my body Is ready for the 7-14mm
Mine too. My camera body, that is.
Yawn, sensor is still puny. Photographic masters cannot tolerate puny sensor smothering world of photography..prepare for Canikon reeducation camp!
Thanks so much for showing us your home.
You will share soon. HULK reeducate you 🙂
Here is picture M43 user in camp…filled to capacity…spots for Sony fgts available soon 🙂
Hulk like big camera cause big camera like 40in dong. Nicey nicey fit in HulkCornHole…he giggle but want more girth. 1.4 pppprease.
Hulk want to say watch first chinese inter racial ping pong gang bang. He no try self wif 10 camera salute up corn hole. I no hulk turn challenge down. I sandwich 10 lens .95 challenge up my turd slide. Then realize, no fun. Must take on telephoto challenge. Hulk asss sore.
Hard times for Canikon to catch up now, specially when it comes to lenses.
Yeah, Canikon is doomed now that this 14-28 F5.6 with bad focus might come out.
Hulk make stupid joke. Hulk eat his own shiiit. He no like M43 cause not puny enough to shove up own asss….hulk sad excuse for even looser.
No interest in ZoomZ, when will we see the pre-announced 300mm f/4 Prime??
Everyone is different, Me I don’t use ZoomZ. Three lenses I’ll Never Use are the 7-14 /f2.8 Pro, 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO and the 40-150 f/2.8 Pro. But I’d love a fast 7mm Prime!!
All I need is a Wiiide Prime (something third party??), a 30mm f/2.8 (Sigma), 75mm f/1.8 and the Vaporware 300mm f/4. YMMV.
Samyang 7.5mm calls at you. And it ain’t a ZoomZ!
The Samyang 7.5mm f/3.5 is a 180° fish eye lens. I’m looking for wide rectilinear lenses, not fish eyes.
From a Kowa Press Release. http://www.kowa-prominar.com/news/2014/0920-1.html
KOWA releases “KOWA PROMINAR 8.5mm F2.8” super wide angle manual lens for Micro Four Thirds camera on September 20, 2014. *
On upcoming, KOWA will release “KOWA PROMINAR 12mm F1.8” and “KOWA PROMINAR 25mm F1.8” for Micro Four Thirds camera as the series high quality lenses.
These lenses has three color variations on Black(BR) ,Silver(SV) and Green(GR).*Except US market.
EXCEPT US MARKET !!! I won’t be buying this Kowa lens, if it isn’t available in the USA 🙁
It will be, but not all colors are.
Does that mean I can’t get a GREEN lens in the USA 😉 Or maybe GREEN is the only color you can get in the USA :-0
I believe the Green is only color you get if it is for colors. But the asterisk should be about the September 20 release date, so US gets all colors but just later.
Hulk want to apologize…realize have lot problems. He like M43 and cannot wrap head round superior small format. He try, but to big for small peanut in head.
Is HULK, not Hulk you imbecile
Picture of M43 in Canikon reeducation camp surfaced…don t be him….
Hulk want to say I am funny man but also serious can be too. Here is pic so you know I mean happy happy of me. I go eat potato now.
I go eat many potato now. Afterwards make m43 users confess punyness 🙂
I go eat many potatoe now yes…and want to stick dong in M43 camera.
HULK apologize, retarded brother broke out from basement…
…and then Hulk go gang bang canned potatoes and stuff meat sack in real potato….
Hulk want know I re-educate to Canikon but I go camp too. You no camp same. I go tard tard camp.
Uh, HULK had one beer to many, want to say is Fuji users saluting to Canikon masterrace! Even HULK make mistake sometimes! Much apology!
Then hulk give fuji reach around. Hulk take 5 dong salute up asss..
HULK pologize for not funny funny. You to be sad if M43 20x bigger than HULKdong. You no want to feel manly. Hulk go find tweezers now.
Hulk no say to imposter…imbecile…you make fun of hulk…you like hulk cause he no funny. I no LIke M43 with puny sensor. I re-educate to Canikon camp and take M43 camera. Camera go in my rectal cavity cause me like 5 axis for my sack.
so. You are most likely a young unaccepted boy whom nobody pays any attention to. You can’t get a date because you are on the computer writing meaningless remarks about camera gear. Your parents have failed miserably at raising you because they most likely are just as ignorant. If you want a tip HULK. Spend less time on the keyboard and sitting infront of the computer. There is a world out there. Yes, it can be intimidating because your sorry personality can’t hide behind a user name and you will actually have to speak to real people. You may even find a women that will put up with your immature nature but that is highly unlikely. So, I bet we will continue to be graced by your sad attempt at getting attention because nobody can stand to be around you.
Yeah, seriously I completely agree. I can’t believe he hasn’t been banned yet. They should be able to take down his disquise account and force him to take a new one. I come on here to read comments and there must be about 20 of himself talking about stupid stuff like shoving cameras up his asss. So stupid, kids.
300 f/4? Wrong lens. Needs to be 150-300 f/4 or 150-400 f/4-5.6. They will never recoup their investment on this lens.
Why on earth? A prime has better IQ for the same price or less, is lighter and faster. Too bad the 300 f4 comes in the second half, I was hoping to get this for the summer.
Usefulness & versatility. This is why many more people spend similar $ on the Nikon 200-400 plus a couple of teleconverters instead of buying the sharper 600.
If you really want less reach with a higher price and lesser performance, there’s already the 40-150 2.8 with teleconverters. This 300 is a specialty lens, instead of an allrounder, that hasn’t been available in 4/3 or m4/3 unless you had 7000 € to spend.
A prime has better IQ? No… not even Zeiss agree with you, neither does Olympus. 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro gives sharper results than 45mm f/1.8 or 60mm f/2.8 or 25mm f/1.8 and gives even same image quality as 75mm f/1.8.
Olympus could have very well done a 150-300mm f/4 Pro zoom but do you know why they didn’t? Not because optical quality would be lower or cost more or be heavier or be slower to focus, just because you really don’t need 150-300mm zoom range as the 2x is negligent. 40-150mm Pro + 1.4x TC gives 210mm and that is exactly between, with stop less light transmission = equivalent to f/4. So with two you get 40-150mm f/2.8 and 56-210mm f/2.8 (transmission one stop less) and then 300mm f/4 Pro or 420mm f/4 (transmission one stop less).
You don’t need the things between. You are anyways required to crop with 300mm and 420mm to magnify the subject.
For a given cost/complexity of course a prime will have better optical quality – it’s a fundamental consequence of design constraints. I’m sure that Olympus could easily make a prime lens to surpass the 50-150mm Pro, for the same cost, if they felt it would sell.
I’ll buy it!
300mm 1.8.
I’m hoping that the 7-14/2.8 is going to be as good optically as the rest of the Pro zooms and 135 format equivalent lenses. It’s the one type of lens on m43 that seems to have issues due to the wide focal length. If they fix flaring, internal reflections, purple blobbing, and has consistently sharp wide open performance, I think this rectilinear wide angle zoom will create some excellent photos.