Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45 mm F1.8 Lens, Fast Fixed Focal Length, Suitable for All MFT Cameras (Olympus OM-D & PEN Models, Panasonic G-Series), Silver

I have Olympus's 25mm f1.8 prime too, which is more expensive, but I think this 45mm version is sharper. Its also just as neatly built, compact and performs just as well in terms of fast and accurate focusing. The 45mm length (90mm in 35mm terms of course) is useful for more than you'd think. Perfect for portraits, it's also great for giving a different perspective on landscapes and cityscapes. I've used it at classic car shows and although it's more tricky to get shots in confined spaces, it's worth the effort to get that slight telephoto look with the extra isolation (i.e. shallower depth of field) you get because the lens is a bit longer. Sharpness is the outstanding feature of this lens though. You notice it from the first shot you take. It makes you feel like a pro. As does the lovely rendering of out of focus backgrounds and a special 'quality' about the photos it takes that's hard to define. Contrast and colour are so good that you'll barely need to adjust your photos in Photoshop or the like. It's hard to take a duff shot with this lens. The only slight downside is that you don't get a lens hood or carrying pouch with the lens but you can pick them up very cheaply if you need them. The bottom line is that this is a near perfect and therefore essential lens for a bargain price. And it's my favourite Olympus lens so far (I also have the 17 f1.8 and the 25 f1.8).

To describe this lens as diminutive is to make a serious understatement - it's tiny. If you're accustomed to "conventional" sized SLR lenses, you may find yourself unwrapping this lens for the first time, wondering how anything this small can possibly render good quality images. Then you'll fit it to your camera, and if you have anything half decent, prepare to be impressed... This lens is small, light and flawless. With my Panasonic DMC-GX1 the auto-focus speed simply trounces my Canon EOS 7D and any of my L-Series Lenses [and yes, I did side-by-side comparisons]. It's 90mm effective focal length and f1.8 aperture means that it's excellent with portraiture work, but don't stop there. Walkabout street shooting, flora and fauna, indoors and out, this is an epic little lens. What really surprised me, however, is just how sharp it can be. Obviously, at f1.8 you're going to get softness in your images the moment you move away from the focal plane... but stop down and you will be rewarded with stunningly crisp shots that are just so easy to achieve. I was originally apprehensive about making this purchase - as I've suggested above, I've been a Canon DSLR user since 2004 and currently have a full set of L-Series zoom lenses. I really wasn't sure whether I would take to a prime (fixed focal length) lens at all. Not only did I take to it, I think I prefer it. Yes, there are obviously compromises to be made in terms of flexibility - you may find yourself walking backwards and forwards to frame your subject from time to time. But here's the thing: partnered with a quality Micro-Four-Thirds camera (I use the DMC-GX1), in full "auto" mode this will return clearer, sharper images than a Canon EOS 7D with 16-35mm, 24-70mm or 70-200mm f2.8L Lenses. It's focus is lightning fast [just a tad more noisy than other M43 lenses] but it's precise and good to work with. Excellent tone and contrast, and whilst you will get trace optical distortions, they are minimal. Fitted to my DMC-GX1, this lens and camera combination weighs less than my 24-70mm f2.8L, and takes nicer pictures. What's not to like?

Ordered this 45mm prime lens in response to favourable reviews here and also rather disappointing quality kit zoom lenses supplied with my recently purchased Lumix GX7. Firstly, out of the box what strikes you first is the size. This lens is really tiny, especially when you consider it's F1.8 maximum aperture and it is also very light. When the box arrived, I could not believe that it was heavy enough to contain the lens and thought it was the skylight filter that I had ordered at the same time but was delivered separately. It is also exquisitely made and a thing of real beauty, quality materials and construction and beautiful optics. The fit to my GX7 was tight and snug with not a hint of lateral rocking (more than can be said for the Lumix kit zooms, one of which has already been returned due to a build quality / body fit issue). A pondered long and hard before choosing between my GX7 and an OMD - I have always been a Olympus and Zuiko fan and had a sizeable 35mm kit based on OM1ns and Zuiko primes. I settled for the GX7 and whilst it is a fabulous camera, I now have a twinge of regret that I didn't pick the OMD because the quality of this lens far exceeds Lumix equivalents (although I have also purchased a Lumix 20mm F1.7 prime which is much, much better than the zooms). Update - my Lumix kit zoom was replaced ny Panasonic under warranty and the new lens is fine). In use, the lens is super quick, almost silent and optically superb, working very well with the GX7. Focussing is crisp and rapid and images are rendered sharp right to the edges. Bokeh is lush and even and as a portrait lens, this will take some beating. Overall a superb lens and at a very reasonable price. I don't even mind buying a hood and pouch at this price frankly. Will be moving towards Zuiko prime rather than Lumix for future investments in glass.

Excellent, but could be made ​​of metal, such as Olympus 12mm. The plastic construction is good, reflex light in weight. Sharpness and a very good for portraits. One of the three lenses essentials for the micro four thirds system. The others are: Oly Zuiko 12mm 2.0 and Panasonic 25mm 1.4.

My copy of this lens was defective, intermittent focusing and temperamental. I found it was rather stiff to mount on my Olympus camera, something I thought would never happen. When it did focus it seemed spot on, but despite the problem it got returned. This is the second one I’ve had of these, my first was stiff as well. I will be looking to buy something else now.

Bought this as a prime lens for a LUMIX G9 I picked up. I’ve shot approximately 7,000 photos through it so far and the lens is brilliant. Extremely sharp throughout the aperture’s and light soaking when wide open. Probably one of the best photographic purchases I’ve made. It’s primary use case is portraiture but I use it for everything.

Das m.Zuiko 45 mm f/1.8 ist ein sehr kompaktes und sehr gutes, scharfes Porträt Objektiv. Es ist voll Offenblendtauglich, gewinnt leicht abgeblendet noch einmal etwas an Kontrast und Schärfe hinzu. Es hat eine sehr schöne Farbdarstellung und ein schönes Bokeh. Es ist nicht Flareanfällig bei Gegenlicht. Die Abbildungsleistung ist gegenüber dem Olympus 25 1.8er noch einmal besser und die Bilder sehen noch einmal schöner aus. Von den Festbrennweiten die ich bisher bei mft hatte ist es die beste (Oly 17 1.8, 25 1.8, Panasonic 20 1.7, Panasonic 25 1.7, Sigma 19 2.8) und hat noch einmal einen besonderen Look der es von den anderen Objektiven abhebt. Durch die geringe Naheinstellgrenze nur von 50 cm kann man damit auch sehr schöne Closeups machen, bei den meisten KB Objektiven in dem Brennweitenbereich ist die Naheinstellgrenze mit ca. 80 cm deutlich höher. Es lässt sich auch durchaus gut für Landschaftsaufnahmen einsetzen. Noch ein Wort zur Freistellung, die entspricht zwar nur einem Wert von 3.6 an einer Kleinbildkamera, aber trotzdem kann man damit sehr schön Halbporträts freistellen und oft muss ich mit der KB Kamera schon über Blende 4 abblenden um nicht schon die Ohren in der Unschärfe verschwinden zu lassen. Bei mehreren Personen muss ich sowieso abblenden um alle entsprechend scharf darzustellen, da ist das Zuiko eher im Vorteil. Nur die Freistellung von Ganzkörperporträts ist mit einer KB Kamera quantitativ noch stärker darstellbar. Auf Reisen finde ich es aber auch schön auch den Hintergrund noch erkennbar mit im Bild zu haben um die Location nicht in der Beliebigkeit versinken zu lassen. Die Version des 45er die ich jetzt habe ist bisher schon mein viertes Exemplar. Es gab keine erkennbare Serienstreuung bei den verschiedenen Exemplaren oder Abweichungen bei der Bildqualität zwischen den Objektiven. Mir gefällt die schwarze Farbvariante besser wie die silberne. Bei den Geli's hatte ich schon die Originale, von Drittanbietern wie JJC oder auch mal eine Helios zum aufschrauben, in der Funktionalität nimmt sich das aber nichts. + Voll Offenblendtauglich + Sehr lichtstark + Sehr gute Bildqualität und Farbdarstellung + Klein und super leicht + Sehr schneller, treffsicherer Autofokus + Sehr scharf + Schönes Bokeh + Naheinstellgrenze von nur 50 cm - Keine Geli im Lieferumfang

This lens is very sharp, with a lovely soft bokeh - great for portraits. And it’s compact too.

Nice lens build is good. Great subject separation. Good for interviews for video or portraits for photography. Not too heavy. Sharpness is good. Great colors. Mft so compact size which I nice. Fast aperture. No complaints. Price was good too.

Introduced in 2011, this 45mm 1.8 Prime lens is still one of the sharpest MFT lenses around. Of course the 2018 -Olympus PRO 45mm f-1.2 is going to offer slightly more of everything, but only marginally more. The cost of the PRO 45mm is currently $1,400 Canadian, which is 3 times more than this lens I bought on Amazon. The images are tack sharp, the colours warm and flattering, the focus is both quiet and fast, and the "Bokeh" which all the Olympus haters go on about is feathery soft. Remember that a MFT 45mm works like a 90mm in the Full Frame Format, so if you are looking for a street lens, or something for architectural use, you might find the equally fine 17mm 1.8 or the 25mm 1.8 more to your liking. This 45mm lens loves portraits, and that is what I use it for. Can't go wrong with Olympus glass on your MFT camera.