7 Best Olympus OM Lenses Reviewed – The Latest Updated List
The Olympus OM lenses are known for being “sharp in all areas.” Unfortunately, owing to their growing popularity, it’s not always easy to find one that exactly meets one needs and budget constraints. And so, in the next few lines, we’d like to present you with a comprehensive list of the 7 best Olympus OM lenses and why we picked them.
Olympus OM Lenses – Comparison
Don’t have the time to read our in-depth reviews? The following brief table is meant to provide you with an overview so you can make an informed choice.
| Ranking | Product Name | Lens Type | Maximum Focal Length |
| 1 | Olympus 18-180mm | Standard | 180 Millimeters |
| 2 | Olympus OM Zuiko 55mm | Fixed | 55 Millimeters |
| 3 | Olympus M. 40-150mm | Telephoto | 150 Millimeters |
| 4 | Olympus 50mm | Standard | 50 Millimeters |
| 5 | Olympus 35-100mm f/2.0 Zuiko Lens | Telephoto | 100 Millimeters |
| 6 | Olympus 35mm | Macro lens | 35 Millimeters |
| 7 | Olympus OM 24mm | Wide Angle | 24 Millimeters |
1. Olympus 18-180mm f/3.5-6.3 Zuiko Lens
This lens is an Ultra-zoom lens designed for the Olympus E-System and has an effective zoom range of 36-360mm. It is compact and lightweight, and this makes it a convenient travel lens.
The lens has an optical design comprising of fifteen elements in thirteen groups, including two Extra-low Dispersion Glass Elements and two aspherical elements. As a result, it has excellent sharpness at the center of the frame while distortion is very well controlled.
It utilizes the built-in focus motor for a fast AF action.
With a weight of 435g, the lens has a solid build with a metal mount, and it accepts 62mm Screw-on filter type.
Pros
- Extremely sharp
- Fast AF
- Solid build
Cons
- No weather-sealing
2. Olympus OM Zuiko 55mm f/1.2 lens
The Olympus OM Zuiko 55mm f/1.2 lens was introduced in 1974, with the country of origin being Japan. It has a maximum aperture of f/1.2, which is somewhat decent lens speed. In fact, at the time of introduction, it was the fastest Zuiko lens in existence.
It has an optical construction consisting of seven elements in six groups, and as a result, you will be guaranteed fantastic sharpness as well as excellent control of chromatic aberration. The bokeh is fantastic as well.
The resolution is also amazing and has a single coating.
Finally, it has a bayonet type OM Mount with a seventy-degree rotation angle.
Pros
- Extremely sharp
- Fantastic bokeh
- Lightweight
Cons
- No weather-sealing
3. Olympus M. 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R Zoom lens
This lens is very inexpensive but still possesses some impressive qualities that will undoubtedly capture your attention. First, it is very lightweight and compact, weighing just 6.7 ounces and measuring 3.3 by 2.5 inches.
The barrel has a plastic construction but still feels solid, while the zoom ring is textured for smooth and comfortable operation while the manual focus ring is relatively narrow.
It accepts 58mm filters, and since the front element remains dormant during focusing or zooming, you can always use a polarizing filter.
The lens lacks optical stabilization and instead relies on the Built-in Stabilization in the Olympus body.
It performs well in well-lit conditions, and barrel distortion is barely noticeable.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Very affordable
- Minimal barrel distortion
Cons
- Not very sharp
4. Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Zuiko Lens
Although Olympus ceased the production of this lens, it is worth mentioning that it was the standard lens of the Olympus OM camera series. The lens is not particularly sharp, but you can reduce corner softness by stopping down to f/2.8, with the maximum sharpness being at f/5.6.
The multi-coating is effective in limiting chromatic aberration while corner shading is non-existent. Distortion is also well-handled.
The lens feels pretty solid in the hands due to its all-metal construction. The focus ring is fully rubberized while the mount is metal as well.
It looks stunning with a smooth black finish, and it supports 49mm filter threads.
Pros
- Sturdy build
- CA well-handled
- Affordable
Cons
- Not sharp
5. Olympus 35-100mm f/2.0 Zuiko Lens
This fast-aperture lens is designed for use in a professional capacity. It has an optical construction comprising of twenty-one elements in eighteen groups, including one Super ED elements and four ED elements.
These elements contribute to Its well-handling of Chromatic aberration.
The lens is exceptionally sharp, and distortion is non-existent. Its focusing is accurate while the MF is very smooth.
There is no optical stabilization and instead relies on the Olympus Built-in stabilization.
Pros
- Very sharp
- Sturdy build
- Fantastic bokeh
Cons
- Too bulky
Also read: 10 Best E-Mount Lenses – The Latest Reviews & Buying Guide
6. Olympus 35mm f/3.5 Macro Lens
The Olympus 35mm lens is a standard lens that was designed for digital photography and is very portable, weighing just about six ounces.
It is amazingly sharp while CA and Vignetting are non-existent. Distortion is kept at a minimum while the AF performance in low-light is pretty decent.
The focus and filter rings are constructed out of plastic while the mount is entirely metal. Also worth mentioning is the smooth focus operation.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Smooth MF
Cons
- Prone to flares and ghosting
7. Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8 lens
Over the years, Olympus OM lenses have built their reputation around a small size and impressive handling. The 24mm f/2.8 strives to continue this tradition.
The lens weighs just 180g and measures 31mm long, making it lightweight, small and compact. The focus ring is fully rubberized with a fantastic grip and resistance and can rotate up to sixty-five degrees.
It produces a very smooth bokeh and the chromatic aberrations are limited and can be corrected. Distortion is also kept at a minimum level and is not very visible.
When it comes to sharpness, it is very high at the center of the frame at f/2.8, impressive across the frame at f/5.6, good corners at f/8 and a bit soft in the center at f/11.
Pros
- Very small and lightweight
- Excellent bokeh
- Awesome handling
Cons
- Very prone to vignetting
How to Buy The Olympus OM Lenses
So, what factors do you need to keep in mind while shopping for these lenses? Well, in our view, only one word matters – quality. Be on the lookout for build quality, focal length, aperture size, and ergonomics.
You want to go for something that is encased in a durable housing. What’s more? You want to make sure that your lens has the ideal focal range for your style of photography. Most importantly, ensure that the lens has an ideal focal length for different kinds of lighting situations.
Ergonomics matter a lot especially when traveling or using the lens all day long. So, don’t squirm on those as well.
Which One Is The Best?
The Olympus M. 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R Zoom lens is what in our view commands the lead. It may not be the best performer in poorly lit conditions, but it’s generally well-made and durable. Its zooming power is also epic, to say the least.
Final Thoughts
What’s the ideal Olympus OM lens for the money? Well, we’d say that the beautiful ones are yet to be born. But even with that said, if you look close enough, you’re bound to discover quite a few awesome lenses worth marveling at.
