New Olympus Lenses

Olympus has released a 60mm macro lens for its Micro Four Thirds system cameras and has two more prime lenses in development.

Olympus has launched a 60mm macro lens for its OM-D and PEN compact system cameras. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro is weatherproof and offers  a minimum focussing distance of 19cm at 1:1 magnification.

The lens offers an equivalent focal length of 120mm and uses 13 elements in a 10-group optical design; ED, HR and E-HR lens elements (Extra-low Dispersion, High Refractive, Extra High Refractive lenses).

The lens has a focus limiter switch for focus distance/focus-speed optimisation, and uses a seven-blade, circular aperture diaphragm for a smooth out-of-focus blurring effect. It uses the MSC drive system for fast focusing and smooth continuous focus performance (movie and stills compatible).

Olympus also announced that it is working on a new wide-angle prime lens for its Micro Four Thirds system. The M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 lens has a 34mm equivalent focal length (in the 35mm film format), high-performance optics, MSC high-speed focus drive system, a manual focus clutch for quick switching between auto focus and manual focus modes, a depth-of-field scale for hyper-focal snapshot photography, and a metal exterior. It is expected to be available in the first half of 2013.

Also in development is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2, which will also feature the MSC high-speed focus drive mechanism. The lens delivers an equivalent focal length of 24mm and features a metal-exterior for durability. A limited worldwide release of 3,000 units and is scheduled for early October 2012.


Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro.



Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8.



Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.