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Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 - Review / Test Report - Samples & Verdict |
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Lens Reviews -
(Micro-)Four-Thirds
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Page 3 of 3
Sample Images & Verdict
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| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/640s |
|
| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/400s |
|
| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/640s |
|
| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/500s |
|
| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/1.8 |
| Exposure |
1/5000s |
|
| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/400s |
|
| Make |
Panasonic |
|
| Model |
DMC-GM1 |
| ISO Speed |
200 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/200s |
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VerdictThe Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 is undoubtedly a high quality lens with a tiny form factor.
The resolution characteristic is very even across the relevant aperture range. The center quality is mostly excellent followed by a good to very good outer image region. Lateral CAs are low which contributes to the high quality perception. Image distortions are negligible - also in RAW mode. On the downside, there's some light falloff in the corners at large aperture settings. The bokeh is generally smooth although the rendition of out-of-focus highlights could be better.
The build quality is very good although some may criticize the lack of "substance", but this is simply a highly compact and ultra light-weight lens. The Zuiko lens uses a Movie-Still-Compatible (MSC) AF which is both fast and silent. Whether movie enthusiasts are really using auto-focusing is a different question but there are no drawbacks for conventional photography anyway.
So as far as both optical and mechanical qualities are concerned, there's little to complain really. We just wished that Olympus would have chosen a somewhat faster max. aperture. A 25mm f/1.8 prime feels a little too limited in terms of its depth-of-field potential (in the scope of the MFT format). That being said an even faster aperture would have driven up the price and most users are surely already struggling with the high price of the competing Panasonic/Leica Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH so Olympus' decision to stay at f/1.8 may be reasonable.
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