Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8

Micro Four Thirds (MFT/M43)

Review

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 is a versatile wide-angle lens designed specifically for Micro Four Thirds mount cameras. With an equivalent focal length of 34mm, this lens is ideal for street photography, environmental portraits, and landscapes. Its compact and lightweight design makes it a great companion for photographers who prefer to travel light without sacrificing performance.

One of the standout features of the 17mm F1.8 is its fast maximum aperture of F1.8, which allows for excellent low light performance and the ability to achieve a pleasing shallow depth of field. This bokeh can add a creative flair to your images, making it a favorite among portrait photographers looking to separate their subjects from the background. The lens is equipped with a high-quality multi-coated glass that reduces flare and ghosting, ensuring high contrast and color fidelity even in challenging lighting conditions.

The build quality of this lens is impressive, featuring a solid metal construction that gives it a premium feel. It also has a manual focus clutch mechanism, which allows for instant switching between autofocus and manual focus, providing photographers with greater control and flexibility. The lens performs exceptionally well in terms of sharpness, offering impressive detail even when shooting at its widest aperture.

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. The lens lacks image stabilization, which can be a downside for some photographers, especially when shooting in low light without a tripod. Additionally, while distortion is minimal for a wide-angle lens, there is some vignetting at wider apertures that may require correction in post-processing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fast maximum aperture of F1.8 for low light performance and shallow depth of field.
• Compact and lightweight, making it travel-friendly.
• Solid metal construction with a premium feel.
• Excellent sharpness and detail, even at wide open.
• Manual focus clutch for added control.

Cons

• No image stabilization.
• Some vignetting at wider apertures that may need correction.

Verdict

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8 is an exceptional lens for those looking to expand their creativity with a versatile wide-angle option. Its excellent build quality, combined with great optical performance and a fast aperture, makes it a strong choice for both amateur and professional photographers. Keep in mind the lack of image stabilization and minor vignetting, but overall, this lens is a worthy addition to any Micro Four Thirds kit.