Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO Review
Photographers invested in the Micro Four Thirds system, whether on the Olympus or Panasonic side of the fence, have a gem of a lens in the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO. At $2,499.99, it's the most expensive lens available for the mirrorless camera system, but that doesn't mean it's overpriced. For your money, you get a long telephoto reach, 1:4.2 macro magnification, a strong image stabilization system, and a weather-sealed design. For fans of telephoto primes, it's an excellent choice, and earns Editors' Choice marks.
DesignThe M.Zuiko ED 300mm is a hefty lens at 3.3 pounds. It's also long—it measures 8.9 by 3.6 inches (HD) without the tripod collar attached. It's not a good match for a small camera like the Panasonic GM5, but it balances well with Olympus' top-end OM-D E-M1 ($999.00 at Amazon) . The front element accepts 77mm filters and the integrated, collapsible lens hood makes it easy enough to install or remove a filter.
There are a two switches on the lens—one ...
The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO is the best telephoto prime lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and it's priced accordingly.
Sharp optics; Extreme telephoto reach; Strong image stabilization system; Works with 1.4x teleconverter; Close focus capability; Manual focus clutch; Focus limiter switch; Weather-sealed; Integrated lens hood; Includes removable tripod collar
Expensive; Heavy; Focus can be slow without limiter enabled