Professional lens line beefed up to accommodate the Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Hot on the heels of announcing the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, the mirrorless manufacturer has published its lens roadmap revealing eight new optics on the horizon – among them six Pro lenses to support the launch of its professional flagship camera.
Also on the list is the already announced M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro, an impressive super telephoto lens with built-in converter that gives it a 1000mm equivalent focal range.
Olympus lens roadmap 2019
Pro lenses, with their ball park ranges according to the new lens roadmap map, are as follows:
• Wide Zoom Lens (9-30mm)
• Standard Zoom Lens (10-40mm)
• Telephoto Zoom Lens (48-210mm)
• Telephoto Zoom Lens (60-250mm)
• Bright Prime Lenses (ranges from 10mm to 60mm, supporting long-running rumors that the M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 is due an update)
Olympus' lens roadmap shows a clear focus on professional users
Non-Pro Zuiko lenses on the new road map are as follows:
The ratio of Pro to standard lenses being announced, along with the positioning of the E-M1X, tells you that Olympus is aiming squarely at professionals.
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As noted by Canon's CEO, smartphones are eroding the digital camera market and Canon is responding by shifting focus to corporate customers. Olympus, by throwing its weight behind the pro-oriented E-M1X and all this new glass, is likewise positioning Micro Four Thirds as a professional system – not just a cheaper, smaller format.
With Panasonic seem to be sidelining Micro Four Thirds in favor of the soon-to-be-launched full-frame Panasonic S1 and S1R, the future of the MFT format may firmly be in Olympus' hands.
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.
