Olympus $7,500 super telephoto 300-1000mm zoom is here now!

Olympus M.Zuiko 150- 400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro
(Image credit: Olympus)

Update 6 March 2021: At The Photography Show spring virtual event today, Olympus  UK has confirmed that the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro is now finally on sale. Currently the company is still fulfilling pre-orders, so you aren't yet in the shops – but at least you can now get your name down if you want one of these incredible supertelephotos for the Micro Four Thirds cameras, which we first saw a prototype of at The Photography Show 2019.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro being demonstrated at The Photography Show virtual show this weekend - watch the recording of the session here (Image credit: Future)

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro lens has finally been launched – and this remarkable optic, which delivers an equivalent full-frame range of 375-1000mm via the integrated teleconverter, comes with a remarkable $7,499.95 / $6,499 price tag. 

The M.Zuiko 150-400mm may be the most expensive Micro Four Thirds lens ever made, but it's also the most unique. There is simply no equivalent lens on any other system, and certainly none that offers this kind of awesome range in such a compact, hand-holdable frame. Combine this with the Olympus TC-20 2x Teleconverter and it delivers a staggering 750-2000mm range! 

• Read more: Best Micro Four Thirds lenses

At an astonishing 115.8 × 314.3mm and 1,875g (yes, those figures are correct!) this is an unprecedented proposition for sports and wildlife photographers, offering a lens that can be carried, handheld and used in the field in ways never before possible.

While shooting at up to 1,000mm lends itself best to tripod work, the 150-400mm is perfectly usable handheld, with 4.5 stops of native stabilization that combines for 6 stops when used at 500mm (1000mm equivalent) and 8 stops at 150mm (300mm) on the Olympus OM-D E-M1X.

How many 1000mm lenses can you shoot handheld?  (Image credit: Olympus)

The standard 150-400mm (300-800mm) range features a fixed f/4.5 aperture, while employing the built-in 1.25x teleconverter results in a fixed f/5/6 aperture throughout the 187.5-500mm (375-1000mm) zoom. It also possesses a minimum shooting distance of 1.3m across the entire range (including with the teleconverter), further adding to its versatility. 

Externally the lens is fully weather sealed for dust, splash and freezeproofing, with heat-resistant coating for use in hot extremes, and internally it features 28 elements in 18 groups.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro is available for pre-order now, and will start shipping in late January 2021. 

Order the Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro at Adorama
Order the Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro at B&H
Order the Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro at Park

Read more: 

Best Olympus lenses
Best Olympus cameras
Best telephoto lenses
Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS

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James Artaius
Editor

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 MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital 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.