Olympus Intros Micro 4/3 Pancake & Zoom Lenses

Theresa Stone

Olympus Imaging Corporation has announced two Micro Four Thirds System standard-compliant interchangeable lenses, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 wide-angle pancake lens and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens, in conjunction with the release of the new “Olympus Pen” E-P1 camera.


The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 are interchangeable lenses compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard announced in August 2008. Lenses compliant with this standard will be deployed under the series name, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL. The “M” stands for “Micro” indicating that all lenses in the series compliant with the “Micro Four Thirds System.”
The Micro Four Thirds System standard retains the telecentric property (it allows light to strike the image sensor at a near-perpendicular angle) characteristic of the Four Thirds System, but the mount diameter has been reduced by about 6 mm and the flange back (the distance between the mount and image sensor) by about 1/2. Overall, this makes it possible to manufacture much smaller lenses.
Both new lenses – the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 (equivalent to 34mm on a 35mm camera) and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (equivalent to 28-84mm on a 35mm camera) — offer unprecedented mobility compared to traditional SLR interchangeable lenses, while maintaining high imaging performance thanks to the digital-dedicated design. Both lenses also feature a dignified exterior design that complements the camera body, imparting a classic, high-end feel.
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 Main Features
1. Slim and lightweight pancake lens
Based on the double-Gauss composition used widely in standard lenses, the newly developed optics incorporated in this lens employ a retrofocus type configuration, in which a concave lens element is placed on the subject side to obtain a wide angle of view at a focal length of 17mm. In addition, a double-sided aspherical lens element is used to implement an ultra-thin wide-angle pancake lens with a depth of 22mm. With the sharp imaging characteristic of a single-focus lens and brightness of f2.8, this lens makes it easy to capture natural defocus images.
2. Excellent close-up shooting capability
Close-up shooting is possible at a minimum distance of around 15cm from the lens front. The possibility of positive challenge to the object will expand the field of photography.
3. Multi-coating on all lens surfaces
All the lens surfaces are multi-coated to ensure clear image quality. The multi-coating also ensures clear images even on backlit shots taken with the sun in the frame by reducing ghosts and flares.
4. Circular aperture diaphragm
The circular aperture diaphragm enables natural and smooth defocusing – one of the big advantages of large aperture lens.
5. Fine Focusing Operation
6. Fast auto focusing
The autofocusing speed is about two times higher than the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm F2.8 thanks to the new algorithm.
7. Intuitive Manual Focusing
Proper torque enables the intuitive feeling on manual focusing operation.
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Main Features
1. Dramatic size reduction by retractable mechanism and high image quality
To maximize mobility, this lens features a retractable mechanism. The total length is just 43.5mm.It achieved 65% of the volume and 80% of the weight against the existent ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6. The optics incorporates cemented lens of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens and HR (High Refractive index) lens, which have big different refractive indices, in order to remove the chromatic aberration. In addition, the optics with two double-sided aspherical lenses ensures high image quality.
2. Excellent close-up shooting capability
Close-up shooting at the tele-end is possible at a minimum distance of around 15cm from the lens front. It enables close-up photography up to the max. image magnification of 0.24x (0.48x: 35mm equivalent).
3. Multi-coating on all lens surfaces
All the lens surfaces are multi-coated to ensure clear image quality. The multi-coating also ensures clear images even on backlit shots taken with the sun in the frame by reducing ghosts and flares.
4. Circular aperture diaphragm
The circular aperture diaphragm enables natural and smooth defocusing – one of the big advantages of large aperture lens.
5. Fast Auto Focusing
The autofocusing speed is about two times higher than the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 thanks to the new algorithm.
6. Intuitive Manual Focusing
Proper torque enables the intuitive feeling on manual focusing operation.