OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 II

Focal length: 17 mm
Aperture: f/1.8
Weight: 112 g
Filter diameter: 46 mm
Min. focus distance: 25 cm
Length: 37.6 mm

Predecessor: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8

Overview

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 II is a compact wide-angle prime for Micro Four Thirds cameras. OM System announced it in February 2025 together with the OM-3 camera, as an updated version of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8. The 17 mm focal length equals 34 mm on full frame, and the lens is aimed at street, travel and everyday photography.

Optical design

The lens has 9 elements in 6 groups. OM System lists two aspherical glass elements, one DSA (Dual Super Aspheric) element and one Super HR (high refractive index) element to reduce aberrations. The optical formula is the same as in the first version. The new ZERO coating is meant to reduce reflections. The diaphragm has 7 blades and forms a circular opening, closing down to f/22. The angle of view is 65 degrees.

Autofocus and handling

Autofocus uses OM System's High-Speed Imager AF with an MSC mechanism. The minimum focus distance is 0.25 m with a maximum magnification of 0.08x, equal to 0.16x in full frame terms. The lens has no stabilizer. The manual focus clutch, a retractable ring that switched the focus mode, was removed in this version.

Build and size

At 112 g, 57.6 mm in diameter and 37.6 mm in length, it is slightly lighter than the original at 120 g. The filter thread is 46 mm. OM System rates the weather sealing as IPX1 (splash-proof, dust-proof and freezeproof), which the first version did not have. The hood is the LH-49B and the cap the LC-46.

Where it fits

The predecessor is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8. Other 17 mm options on Micro Four Thirds are the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake. If a similar angle of view with a different focal length is acceptable, the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7 ASPH and the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 II ASPH come into play.

Pros and cons

Pros

Weather sealing to IPX1, according to OM System
Light at 112 g and only 37.6 mm long
f/1.8 aperture
ZERO coating
Close focus from 0.25 m

Cons

No manual focus clutch, unlike the first version
No lens stabilizer
Maximum magnification of 0.08x
Only 7 diaphragm blades

Verdict

A small, sealed wide prime for Micro Four Thirds that improves on the first version in weather protection and weight. The loss of the focus clutch is the main drawback for those who used it.

Technical Specifications

min focal length: 17 mm
max focal length: 17 mm
max f (min zoom): f/1.8
max f (max zoom): f/1.8
min. aperture: f/22
Elements: 9
Groups: 6
Weight: 112 g (0.25 lb)
Filter diameter: 46 mm
min focus distance: 25 cm (9.84 in)
Length: 37.6 mm (1.48 in)
Diameter: 57.6 mm (2.27 in)

Simulate depth of field and angle of view

Which cameras does the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 II fit?

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 II fits all Micro Four Thirds cameras. There its field of view equals 34 mm in full-frame terms (crop factor 2).

Micro Four Thirds cameras

Micro Four Thirds:: OM System PEN, OM System OM-3, OM System OM-5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G97 (G99M2), Panasonic Lumix GH7, OM System OM-1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G9 II, Panasonic Lumix G100D, OM System OM-5, OM System OM-1, Panasonic Lumix GH6, Panasonic Lumix GH5 II, Olympus PEN E-P7, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G100 (G110), Panasonic Lumix BGH1, Olympus PEN E-PL10, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix G95 (G90, G91), Olympus OM-D E-M1X, Panasonic Lumix GX9, Panasonic Lumix GF10 (GF90, GX880), Olympus PEN E-PL9, Panasonic Lumix GH5S, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Panasonic Lumix G9, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, Panasonic Lumix GF9 (GX850, GX800), Panasonic Lumix GH5, Olympus PEN E-PL8, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix G85 (G80, G81), Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80, GX7 Mark II), Olympus PEN-F, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GX8, Panasonic Lumix G7, Panasonic Lumix GF7, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix GM5, Olympus PEN E-PL7, Panasonic Lumix GH4, Olympus OM-D E-M10, Panasonic Lumix GM1, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Panasonic Lumix GX7, Olympus PEN E-PL6, Olympus PEN E-P5, Panasonic Lumix G6, Panasonic Lumix GF6, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, Olympus PEN E-PM2, Olympus PEN E-PL5, Panasonic Lumix GH3, Panasonic Lumix G5, Panasonic Lumix GF5, Olympus OM-D E-M5, Blackmagic Cinema Camera (MFT)