Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 review

The Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 is a tiny little lens that punches well above its weight.

Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 review
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Barely bigger than a pancake lens, this Olympus gives the same field of view as using a 50mm standard prime on a full-frame camera, along with a fast f/1.8 aperture. Available in black or shiny silver, it’s ideal as an unfeasibly compact and lightweight ‘nifty fifty’ for any Micro Four Thirds camera, taking full advantage of the 2x crop factor. Image quality and all-round performance are highly impressive, but it’s pretty pricey for an f/1.8 standard prime.

Pros

  • +

    Super-small and lightweight

  • +

    Standard field of view

  • +

    Fast f/1.8 aperture

Cons

  • -

    More distortion than some MFT lenses

  • -

    Pricey for a ‘standard prime’

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Ask a full-frame photographer to choose just one prime lens and it would often be a 50mm, thanks to its entirely natural viewing perspective. Taking the 2x crop factor of Micro Four Thirds cameras into account, the Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 gives the same field of view. Sure, f/1.2 and f/1.4 lenses enable faster shutter speeds under low lighting conditions, and a tighter depth of field, but f/1.8 is also a favorite for keeping a reign on size, weight and expense.

Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 sample (Image credit: Alis Volat)

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.