M.Zuiko DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS, Super Telephoto Zoom, Suitable for all MFT Cameras (Olympus OM-D & PEN Models, Panasonic G-Series), Black

Product Information

For me, it’s kind of a toss-up with this lens. The image quality is really nice, and it’s great to have a lens with the amount of reach that it has. If you’re a wildlife or bird photographer, it’s definitely something to consider. Manual focusing is possible in a focus-by-wire fashion. This should not put you off using it as it feels pretty natural in use, and actually enables the camera to display a magnified view of the subject automatically, i.e. without you having to press a dedicated button or enter the menu. The focus ring is generously sized and more than adequate for the job. zoom in close on subjects that are difficult to approach, such as birds and wildlife, and delivering The Olympus M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS comes with the weather sealing and freeze-proofing that is normally reserved for Olympus' series of Pro lenses – though it doesn't feature the Sync-IS system featured in Pro glass (which works in tandem with the in-body image stabilization of Olympus cameras, to provide extra stability), instead offering 3-stops of compensation via lens IS. How does M.Zuiko 100-400mm/ 5.0-6.3 IS compare with Panasonic 100-400mm/ 4.5-6.3 IOS (testing conditions)

The lens is both dust- and moisture-resistant, an excellent feature given that this lens will predominantly be used by wildlife and sports photographers in all kinds of conditions. We’re used to seeing robust kit from Pentax with impressive build quality, and this lens is no exception. It feels particularly solid and has a durable, weather-sealed construction. The flipside is that it’s physically larger and noticeably heavier than competing lenses, weighing in at 2kg. That’s nearly twice the weight of the Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm lenses, although they’re only available in Canon and Nikon mount options. Image quality and autofocus speed are impressive. Optional extras include a USB Tap-in Console for applying autofocus fine-tuning and firmware updates, and a tripod mount ring. Even so, at just over a kilogram, the Tamron is only about two-thirds the weight of Nikon’s 80-400mm lens and doesn’t really need a tripod mounting ring. Despite being a 200-800mm equivalent super telephoto zoom lens, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS lens is compact and lightweight, with a length of 205.7 mm, a weight of 1,120 g6 and a filter diameter of 72 mm. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS lens is capable of 200-800mm equivalent1 telephoto shooting on its own, which can be further extended when paired with the optional (sold separately) M.Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14 or the

OM System/Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS: Performance

While the latter will arrive this winter and possess a much higher price tag, thanks to its Pro designation, constant aperture and built-in teleconverter (giving it a ridiculous 2000mm reach), the Panasonic lens is available now for a comparable price –and is actually smaller, lighter, and has a brighter maximum aperture. FCA Disclaimer: Bristol Cameras Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, register number 711452 and act as a credit broker and not a lender. Finance is provided through the Deko platform by a number of lenders. You will be offered the best rate available based on your credit history and the lenders' credit decision policies. On the left side of the barrel is a conventional control panel, with a set of well-spaced switches for limiting the autofocus distance range (1.3m to 6m, 6m to infinity, or full), selecting between auto and manual focus, and turning IS on or off. Unfortunately, these switches get hidden awkwardly under the tripod foot when rotated for shooting in portrait format. The Panasonic lens works better in this regard, as its control panel is located on its rotating collar. OM System/Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS: compared to Panasonic 100-400mm Radiant Photo– Radiant Photo superior quality finished photos with perfect color rendition, delivered in record time.Your photos — simply RADIANT.The way they are meant to be. There's also a Focus Limiter switch with three settings, 1.3-6m, 1.3m-Infinity and 6m-Infinity, with the latter speeding up the autofocusing if you don't need to shoot closer than 6m away from your subject.

There are many things to talk about when it comes to the design of these two lenses. Let’s start with the build quality.Although Olympus does not call the M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS a macro lens, you can at least fill the frame when shooting at 400mm, with a maximum 0.57x magnification rating and the ability to focus at 1.3m/4.27ft away from the subject. Bokeh

Of course there will be discussion and that is natural. But you know what, it's best to not get involved and just concentrate on the kit that you have nailing the best pictures you can with a smile on your face. You should always be happy with what you have and make the best of it. If you can afford it then you will love it, if not then you will love your other Olympus kit. The lens feels great and well-balanced in the hands, on both my E-M1X and E-M1 Mark III cameras. The zoom ring was a little slow in my opinion, but nothing you can’t get used to. The fact that the lens protrudes as much as it does when zoomed in might look a little strange to the everyday observer, but it doesn’t take long to get used to. Specs IS Sound Reduction When Shaking– Olympus has a much better built-in front IS, makes almost no sound when shaken. Panasonic rattles as if a faulty lens is loose inside.Despite producing the relatively small image circle used by APS-C format cameras, the lens is about the same weight as competing Canon and Nikon full-frame compatible lenses. Thanks to the APS-C crop factor, the effective zoom range is boosted to 150-600mm and you can bump it up even more with one of Fujifilm’s 1.4x or 2x tele-converters, albeit with a loss of one or two f/stops in aperture width. Autofocus in this version and the Nikon F-mount version is rapid and practically silent, while the image quality is competitive with the own-brand versions. What tips it over into the Canon camp though is the fact that the rotational direction of the zoom ring is the same as it is in own-brand lenses, meaning it slots into an existing collection more naturally. Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. Tripod Mount Rotation– Olympus can rotate its tripod mount 360°, Panasonic only 90° and only to one side. It cannot be positioned so that the shutter is down. As mentioned, the new Olympus 100-400mm is impressively compact and lightweight for such a long-reaching lens, making it a perfect option for active wildlife shooting while hiking, for example, or simply in other situations where you want to be mobile and flexible with your shooting options and not "tied-down" from lugging around a tripod. True-to-form, the Olympus 100-400mm is significantly more compact and lighter in weight than most other 100-400mm-style super-telephoto zoom lenses for some of the other larger-sensor camera systems.