Micro Four Thirds lenses are some of the smallest lenses available for mirrorless cameras. All lenses are interchangeable between Panasonic and Olympus M43 cameras.
With a vast range of Micro Four Thirds lenses to choose from, we have selected the very best lenses to include in your kit this year. All of these lenses offer a 2x crop factor, which means you can gain a greater focal length without worrying about carrying a heavy lens.
Best Micro 4/3 Wide Prime – Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8
The sharpness of this wide prime by Olympus is one of the reasons we had to pick the 17mm. When photographing with the aperture wide open (f1.8), the images are crisp and sharp and offer stunning bokeh in out-of-focus areas.
Weighing in at only 180 grams, you won’t feel the fast focus in operation when hand-holding the camera body. The lens is highly recommended for street photography but can be used for a plethora of genres.
Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens – Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7‑14mm 1:2.8 PRO
When choosing the best wide-angle lens for M43 cameras, it was a tough choice. For many photographers, though, you can’t go past Olympus’s 7-14mm glass. We recommend using this lens for landscape, travel, and indoor work, offering a maximum aperture of f2.8 with an equivalent 14-28mm zoom flexibility.
The lens’s construction is outstanding as it features several special glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and purple fringing. You’ll also find the lens a welcome asset for video due to its almost silent autofocus.
Honorable Mention: Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f2.8 II Asph Power OIS
Best Long Zoom – Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 II Power OIS
Every Micro Four Third kit demands a high-quality long zoom lens for those times when you need greater reach for a composition. The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 II Power OIS is the best of the class with its 70-200 (35mm equivalent) range and fast maximum aperture.
Despite its range, it’s a lightweight and compact zoom that’s both weather-sealed and image stabilized. Anyone shooting sports, wildlife or birds can expect fast autofocus performance and crisp image quality.
Best Macro Lens – Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm 1:2.8 MACRO
Macro photography is enjoying a revival thanks to lenses such as the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm 1:2.8 MACRO. The weather-sealed true 1:1 macro ratio lens delivers stunning image detail and a minimum focus distance of 19cm.
With a 120mm (35mm equivalent) focal distance, you’ll achieve a tight frame compression with excellent depth of field and background blur. Plus, the focal length allows you to step back and not solely rely on proximity to nail the details.
Best Bokeh – Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.8
MFT portrait photographers are spoiled for choice when it comes to excellent lenses and creamy bokeh. The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.8 is an exceptional choice for portraits thanks to its 90mm (35mm equivalent) focal length and fast maximum aperture.
Available in silver or black, the lens is both compact and lightweight. With fast autofocus and full-time manual focusing systems, the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.8 ticks all the boxes to create clear subject separation and mesmerizing background effects.
Conclusion
Our bespoke list of the best Micro Four Thirds lenses is just a taste of the exciting range available from the likes of Panasonic, Olympus, Laowa, and Sigma. Depending on your genre, there’s a highly capable Micro Four Thirds lens available to suit your needs.