Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 PRO assessment

This wideangle zoom has been some time coming. It’s been on the agency’s roadmap for a number of years now and was formally named as an 8-25mm f/4 in July 2020. Since then, Olympus’s imaging division has break up off right into a separate firm known as OM Digital Options, and this was the primary new optic launched underneath its stewardship.

As indicated by its Professional label and $899 / £899 price ticket, this can be a premium lens for customers of Olympus Micro 4 Thirds cameras, though it can be used with Panasonic’s Lumix G-series our bodies. It’s jostling for consideration in a system that’s already blessed with some wonderful high-end choices: Olympus makes a 7-14mm f/2.8 Professional whereas Panasonic presents a premium, Leica-badged 8-18mm f/2.8-4 (each corporations additionally make smaller, cheaper options).

For extra choices try our information to one of the best Micro 4 Thirds lenses in 2023

The 8-25mm f/4 is comparable in dimension and worth to the latter, so many photographers might be making a direct selection between the 2. There may be additionally the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH in case you are searching for a wide-angle prime.

Olympus’s 8-25mm f/4 (left) is identical worth because the Panasonic Leica 8-18mm f/2.8-4 (proper)So what does the 8-25mm convey to the get together? Firstly, not like the 7-14mm f/2.8 Professional, it accepts screw-in filters, which makes it a way more sensible selection for landscapes. Secondly, it extends the lengthy finish of the zoom to an uncommon 50mm equal, which implies it could possibly keep on the digital camera extra of the time, moderately than being regularly swapped with an ordinary zoom. What’s extra, it presents spectacular close-up capabilities. For some panorama and architectural photographers, it could be the proper on a regular basis lens.

Options

On the entire, the 8-25mm f/4 presents a lot the identical function set as different Professional-series lenses. It boasts an IPX-1 ranking for dust- and splash-proofing, whereas additionally being freezeproof to -10°C. However in a primary for the vary, it employs a space-saving retractable design; twisting the zoom ring previous the 8mm place reduces the packed size by 25mm.

A petal-type bayonet-fit lens hood comes within the field

Olympus/ OM Digital Options has by no means been afraid of utilizing complicated optics, with the 16-element, 10-group method using parts made out of extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, Tremendous ED glass, excessive refractive-index (HR) glass and Tremendous HR glass to minimise aberrations. Two aspherical parts fabricated from ED glass and one dual-sided aspheric component promise sharp pictures into the corners of the body, whereas ZERO coating has been utilized to suppress flare and ghosting.

The lens feels a little bit massive on Olympus’s small E-M5 sequence our bodies, however remains to be completely usable

A minimal focus distance of 23cm is obtainable all through the zoom vary, which allows placing wideangle close-ups. Zoom in to 25mm and this equates to a topic dimension of 83 x 62 mm, or 0.42x equal magnification, which is spectacular for such a large lens. A 7-bladed round aperture diaphragm guarantees natural-looking background blur.

A 72mm thread surrounds the entrance component, making the 8-25mm a better option for filter customers than the Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 Professional.

The lens has a 72mm filter thread, which is shared with a number of of its different Professional zooms, together with the 12-100mm f/4 and 40-150mm f/2.8. A petal-type hood is provided, which may be reversed for storage and has a locking button to cease it coming off unintentionally. Customers of the 12-100mm f/4 must be conscious that its very similar-looking hood can even match the 8-25mm, however could trigger some vignetting.

Construct and dealing with

If you decide up the 8-25mm, it feels strong and well-made, with a rubber seal across the mount that helps cease mud or water penetrating into the digital camera. Throughout my testing, it shrugged off a few heavy showers with out lacking a beat.

A rubber O-ring across the lens mount aids with weather-sealing

The all-metal barrel weighs in at 411g, whereas measuring 77mm in diameter and 88.5mm in size when retracted. This makes it barely bigger the Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4, by way of the house it’s going to occupy in your bag, however nearly 100g heavier.

Packed up for transport, the Olympus 8-25mm f/4 is about the identical dimension because the Panasonic 8-18mm F2.8-4, however nearly 100g heavier

In comparison with premium extensive zooms for bigger codecs, it’s comparable in dimension to the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR, however considerably smaller and lighter than Sony and Panasonic’s full-frame 16-35mm f/4 optics. In impact, Olympus has exploited the smaller sensor format to construct a extra versatile lens with an prolonged zoom vary.

The 8-25mm is styled like Olympus’s different professional zooms. Right here it’s mounted on the OM-D E-M1 Mark III.

The design language might be immediately acquainted to Olympus customers, with a broad zoom ring positioned on the centre of the barrel so it falls naturally for operation by your left hand. Forward of this you’ll discover the guide focus ring, which has two distinct modes through a push-pull mechanism.

Pulling the main target ring in direction of the digital camera reveals a distance scale marked in metres and toes

In its ahead place, with the digital camera set to guide focus, the main target ring rotates easily and repeatedly, permitting extraordinarily exact focus adjustment. Pulling it again in direction of the digital camera reveals a distance scale, and on this mode it behaves very similar to a standard manual-focus lens, with exhausting finish stops on the extremes of the main target vary. So whichever means you like to work, Olympus has obtained you coated.

The L-Fn button performs AF-stop by default, however is customisable from the digital camera physique

Olympus has additionally included its acquainted L-Fn button that’s positioned on the highest left of barrel inside simple attain of your left thumb. By default, this works as AF-stop, quickly pausing autofocus. However it may be reconfigured to function a variety of different features from the digital camera physique.

Autofocus

In the case of autofocus, there’s not a lot to say. The lens focuses silently, instantaneously and precisely, simply so long as you give it a sensibly-defined goal. It really works simply as properly on the Panasonic G9 because it does on the Olympus E-M1 Mark III, and whilst you may spot a noticeable ‘wobble’ on Olympus’s older contrast-detection primarily based fashions just like the E-M5 Mark II, it’s nonetheless fast to focus.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, 8mm, 1/2000sec at f/4, ISO 200

Change to guide focus and there’s nothing to complain about both. As common, turning the main target ring will have interaction your most popular focusing assist, both magnified view or peaking. I discover the push-pull manual-focus clutch mechanism works very properly, however on latest Olympus our bodies it may be disabled from the menu if you happen to don’t prefer it.

Picture high quality

This lens wears a Professional badge and comes with an $899 / £899 price ticket, so I had excessive expectations for its optical high quality. Equally, I anticipated some compromise for its prolonged zoom vary, as extensive zooms often lower in sharpness on the lengthy finish. However what’s exceptional concerning the 8-25mm f/4 is simply how a lot element it renders throughout nearly the whole body, nearly no matter focal size, aperture or focus distance. It’s an excellent lens.

The 8-25mm works properly with Olympus’s in-body stabilisation in low mild. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, 0.3sec at f/6.3, ISO 200, hand-held

In my managed side-by-side assessments, it was no less than a match for the Panasonic 8-18mm, and maybe even a little bit sharper within the excessive corners at 8mm f/4. At 18mm it additionally provides the stellar Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Professional a run for its cash, and whereas it’s maybe a fraction much less sharp at 25mm, in most conditions you most likely wouldn’t discover.

The lens delivers pleasing pictures at shut distances. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, 25mm, 1/8000 sec at f/4, ISO 200

This spectacular element rendition can be maintained properly throughout the total focus distance vary, with the lens nonetheless giving very pleasing pictures when taking pictures at its most magnification. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot it extensive open, though as common for Micro 4 Thirds, I’d usually keep away from apertures smaller than f/11 resulting from diffraction blurring.

The lens is properly behaved taking pictures into the sunshine. Olympus OM-D E-M1 III, 1/640sec at f/8 ISO 200

Micro 4 Thirds integrates software program compensation into the system design, which signifies that you gained’t see any of the aberrations that in any other case seem with ultra-wide zooms. Curvilinear distortion is totally corrected, so straight strains alongside the sting of the body aren’t drawn bent, whereas color fringing resulting from chromatic aberration can be successfully suppressed.

No curvilinear distortion is seen, because of software program compensation. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, 25mm, 1/500sec at f/6.3, ISO 200

A small quantity of vignetting is detectable at 8mm f/4 if you happen to go searching for it, but it surely’ll don’t have any real-world influence in your pictures. The lens additionally offers properly when taking pictures immediately into the sunshine, with little lack of distinction. The general takeaway message is that this can be a lens that constantly delivers extraordinarily clear, detailed pictures.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, 23mm, 1/15sec at f/5.6, ISO 200

Panorama photographers who want to use a sq. filter system can even discover this lens far more tractable than the 7-14mm f/2.8 Professional. With the Formatt Hitech Firecrest 85mm system, there’s no vignetting with the holder set straight, and just a bit when it’s angled, which disappears on zooming in to 18mm. In case you use a 100mm system, you’ll see no drawback with vignetting in any respect.

Verdict

Simply from its specs, it could be tough to work out why you’d purchase the Olympus 8-25mm f/4. It’s not the small, light-weight, comparatively inexpensive extensive zoom that some customers have been hoping for, akin to final yr’s 12-45mm f/4 Professional. As a substitute, it’s the identical dimension and worth as the wonderful Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4, however heavier. Most customers will have already got the additional 18-25mm focal-length vary coated with an ordinary zoom, so what’s the purpose?

In sensible use, the 8-25mm f/4 presents moderately extra versatility than the common wideangle zoom

The reply turns into obvious once you head out and begin taking footage, as a result of this seems to be a uniquely versatile lens. Due to its prolonged 50mm equal lengthy finish and spectacular close-up functionality, it’s not like utilizing a traditional wideangle zoom in any respect. It’s nearly higher seen as an on a regular basis lens that may zoom out to ultra-wide.

In contrast to most ultra-wides, this lens can primarily be used as a on a regular basis zoom. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, 25mm, 1/60sec at f/6.3, ISO 200.

With its excellent optics, the 8-25mm f/4 Professional additionally stands additionally shoulder to shoulder with the opposite MFT extensive zooms. So the selection between them actually comes right down to options. In comparison with the 7-14mm f/2.8, the 8-25mm’s lighter weight and skill to just accept screw-in filters makes it a greater possibility for panorama pictures, though these taking pictures interiors could profit extra from the broader, brighter lens. Equally, some customers nonetheless will favor the lighter Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4. It’s a really shut name between the three, however for all-round versatility, the Olympus 8-25mm f/4 nearly pips the competition.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 Professional: Full specs