The first post-Olympus camera product from OM System is the M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro lens
(Image credit: OM System)
It's officially time to stop calling it "Olympus" kit – the first ever product to be launched under the new OM System brand is the M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro lens.
First announced in September, the Olympus OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro is the manufacturer's first ever f/1.4 lens, bridging the gap between its ultra-compact line of f/1.8 Premium primes and the ultra-fast line of f/1.2 Pro glass.
At 63.4 x 61.7mm and 247g, the OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro is considerably smaller and lighter than the 17mm f/1.2 and 25mm f/1.2 Pro lenses – and it's even smaller than the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-45mm f/4 Pro (which the manufacturer infamously pointed out weighs about as much as a large apple), and shares the same 58mm filter thread.
Watch video: M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro
A 40mm equivalent lens in full-frame / 35mm terms, the 20mm f/1.4 sits comfortably between existing the 17mm (35mm equivalent) and 25mm (50mm) options in the M.Zuiko lineup.
With a closest focusing distance of 0.25m, it's a great all-purpose optic for travel, street photography, landscapes and everyday shooting – especially with its IPX1 weather sealing.
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Its optical formula features 11 high-quality elements in 10 groups including 1 Super ED (extra-low dispersion) lens, 3 ED lenses, 2 Super HR (high refractive) lenses and 2 Aspherical lenses).
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Feels strange seeing "OM System" instead of "Olympus" on the side!(Image credit: OM System)
(Image credit: OM System)
(Image credit: OM System)
(Image credit: OM System)
With 9 blades delivering a circular diaphragm, combined with the fast f/1.4 aperture, the lens achieves OM System's enviable "feathered" bokeh and background blur (with an equivalent f/2.8 depth of field).
Its compact form factor makes the 20mm f/1.4 an ideal companion for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, which was arguably a little on the small side for the larger f/1.2 lenses. As you can see in the video above, though, the 20mm f/1.4 looks to balance perfectly on smaller OM-D bodies.
The OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro will be available from the end of November priced $799 / £649 (approximately AU$1,465).
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
