Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8 Lens ($899.99 direct) is a prime telephoto optic for the Micro Four Thirds camera system, and as such can be used on interchangeable lens cameras manufactured by Olympus and Panasonic. It produces a field of view equivalent to a 150mm lens in traditional 35mm photography, an ideal focal length for portraiture and telephoto image capture.

The lens itself is large when compared with other Micro Four Thirds lenses. At 2.5 by 2.7 inches (HD) in size and 10.8 ounces in weigh, it's larger and heavier than the 14-42mm zoom included with the Olympus PEN E-P3 ($899.99, 4 stars) and other PEN cameras. That compact zoom is 2.2 by 1.9 inches when collapsed, and weighs only 4 ounces.

Due to its size, the lens is probably best used on a more substantial body like the E-P3 or Olympus OM-D E-M5 ($1,299.99, 5 stars). Mounting the lens on a really compact camera like the Olympus PEN E-PM1 ($499.99, 4 stars) or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 ($799.99, 3.5 stars) will present difficulty in balancing, as the lens will make the camera very front heavy.

Build quality is excellent. The M.Zuiko 75mm has a metal lens barrel with a large focusing ring. Its design allows for very quiet focusing, which is a boon for video use, and the ring is there if you prefer the near silence of manual focus. Olympus does make the LH-61F Metal Lens Hood ($74.99) to match this lens, but it is not included. Using a hood can help increase image contrast, reduce flare, and protect the lens from damage while shooting. Even though our test shots showed no lack of contrast or evidence of lens flares, many photographers swear by hood use no matter what. Given the premium price that this lens commands, it's unfortunate that the hood is no included.

I used Imatest to measure the image sharpness recorded by the lens. At its widest aperture it managed 2,545 lines per picture height when paired with the Olympus PEN E-P3, which is well in excess of the 1,800 lines required for a sharp image. It only gets better as you stop it down, hitting 2,683 lines by the time you hit f/5.6. The Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro lens ($1,600, 4 stars), which covers the same field of view when used on a full-frame camera like the Nikon D800 ($2,999.95, 4 stars) with which we tested it, only manages 1,843 lines at its maximum aperture, but increases to 2,400 lines by f/4 and approaches 3,000 lines at f/8.

Imatest also measures distortion, which is a negligible 0.3 percent in a pincushion pattern. Distortion is usually more of an issue with zoom lenses and with wide-angle prime lenses than with telephoto optics, so this is not a surprising result. The collapsible Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. lens ($399.95, 3.5 stars) displays a noticeable 1.7 percent barrel distortion at 14mm.

If you're a Micro Four Thirds shooter and want a fast telephoto optic for low light shooting or portraiture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8 is an excellent performer. Owners of smaller bodies may find it a bit awkward to use, and it certainly isn't the lightest lens that you can pair with a compact interchangeable lens camera. It is razor sharp, and shooting at f/1.8 makes it possible to isolate your subject by blurring the background of your photo?what's more, the out of focus bokeh produced by this lens has a very smooth, creamy character, even when dealing with difficult backdrops that include foliage.

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