Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 review

The Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 delivers a 150mm ‘effective’ focal length with outstanding image quality

Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 review
(Image: © James Artaius)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The 150mm ‘effective’ focal length of this lens, combined with a fast f/1.8 aperture, make it a good choice for tight head-and-shoulders portraiture. It’s super-sharp while also delivering deliciously soft bokeh, and is wonderfully compact and lightweight. It’s certainly not an inexpensive lens but it performs really well and is good value at the price.

Pros

  • +

    Excellent image quality

  • +

    Fast, consistently accurate autofocus

  • +

    Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • -

    No optical image stabilization

  • -

    No AF-on/hold button

  • -

    Quite pricey to buy

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The Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 is one of the tip-top prime lenses of the OM lens lineup, before you reach the elite tier of f/1.2 Pro primes. 

Part of the M.Zuiko Premium line, the Olympus M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 looks a little bit like a bigger version of the Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8, though the similar appearance belies markedly superior build quality. Similarities include being an MSC (Movie Stills Compatible) lens with clean styling and no switches, just an electronically coupled (but silky smooth with huge throw) focus ring as its only moving part.

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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.