Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400 mm f/5.0-6.3 IS – first impressions - Introduction

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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400 mm f/5.0-6.3 IS – first impressions

4 August 2020

Maciej Latałło

1. Introduction

In well-established systems that have been present on the market for many years, the line-up of longer telephoto lenses is really impressive. For examle an owner of a Canon reflex camera can choose betweem amateur 55-250 mm and 70-300 mm class models, among them the Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM II, praised by both amateurs and professionals, and the EF 200-400 mm f/4 L IS USM EXT. 1.4x, a very expensive and fully professional instrument.

Among 'primes' the choice can be even richer. In the 300 mm class you get the professional EF 300 mm f/2.8 L IS II USM and the amateur EF 300 mm f/4L IS USM; in the 400 mm class there are as many as three lenses to be considered: the old, amateur EF 400 mm f/5.6L USM and two newer professional models, the EF 400 mm f/4 DO IS USM II and the EF 400 mm f/2.8L IS III USM. Of course you shouldn't forget about many long, expensive L-series devices with the following parameters: 4/500, 4/600, and 5.6/800.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400 mm f/5.0-6.3 IS – first impressions - Introduction

A very similar, and equally long list could be compiled when it comes to Nikon reflex camera lenses.

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In the case of the Micro 4/3 Olympus system the line-up in this segment is rather modest even though the system was launched over 11 years ago. When it comes to good quality 'primes' there is just one model available, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 300 mm f/4.0 ED IS PRO. In case of zoom lenses the situation is a bit better but still nothing to write home about, especially when you compare it with the offer of their direct rivals. You might choose among two amateur models, the 40-150 mm and the 75-300 mm , and the M.Zuiko Digital 40-150 mm f/2.8 ED PRO belonging, as its name indicates, to the PRO line.

As you see the Olympus system, compared to the line-ups of its competitors, lags behind; small wonder its users had been waiting for next launches in this segment with impatience. In order to meet their expectations in August 2020 the company launched M.Zuiko Digital 100-400 mm f/5.0-6.3 IS ED MSC.

Courtesy of the Olympus Polska company we were able to handle the new lens even before its official launch and today we want to share with our Readers our first impressions – enjoy!