Micro Four-Thirds Telephoto Zoom Lenses: Comparison and Insights

Rhett Thompson reviews three pro telephoto zoom lenses for micro four-thirds, highlighting their unique features and image quality.

### Pro Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Micro Four-Thirds
The three lenses being reviewed are the Panasonic Lumix 35-100mm F2.8, Panasonic Lumix 50-200mm F2.8-4, and Olympus 40-150mm F2.8. The **35-100mm lens** is the **smallest and cheapest**, with a **plastic build** and **dual image stabilization**. The **50-200mm lens** is **larger and heavier**, made of **aluminum**, with a **smooth zoom action** and **dual image stabilization**. The **Olympus 40-150mm lens** is the **biggest of the three**, offering a **similar zoom range** to the 50-200mm lens.

### Overview of the Olympus Lens
The Olympus lens features a **constant f/2.8 aperture** and a high-quality mixture of **metal and plastic**. It has a unique **zoom function**, a **custom function button**, and a distinctive **tripod foot for easy handling**. The lens also offers a rare **hard stop manual focus** and has a controversial yet ingenious design for its **large lens hood**.

### Image Stabilization and Focus Testing of Panasonic and Olympus Lenses
The Panasonic lenses, 35 to 100mm and 50 to 200mm, feature **dual image stabilization**, with the former not experiencing the **commonly reported micro jitter issue**. The Olympus lens relies on IBIS for stabilization and offers a **manual clutch system for focus**, in addition to the **fly-by-wire system**. Overall, the 50 to 200mm lens provides the **best stabilization and focus response**, followed by the 35 to 100mm and then the Olympus 40 to 150mm.

### Testing the Manual Clutch and Focus Features of Telephoto Lenses
The manual clutch on the telephoto lens makes it challenging to **achieve precision at long distances**, with its limited travel causing **jerky movements**. The Panasonic 35-100mm lens shows **significant focus breathing**, with noticeable frame shifting, while the 50-200mm lens performs better with **minimal breathing**. The parfocal test reveals that both the 35-100mm and 50-200mm lenses struggle to **maintain focus while zooming**, with the 35-100mm exhibiting **more pronounced focus shifting**.

### Lens Focus Shift and Performance
The lens demonstrates a **controlled focus shift** during slow zooms, but it's not truly parfocal. The Olympus lens exhibits a **noticeable focus shift** when zooming in and out, with a similar **flickering effect** in both fly-by-wire and manual focus. The 35 to 100mm lens has a **poor minimum focus distance** and **magnification ratio**, while the Leica 50 to 200mm lens offers **better close-up capabilities**. The bokeh quality of the 35 to 100mm lens features a **unique swirly pattern** and **cat-shaped bokeh**, creating an **interesting and desirable look**.

### Bokeh and Flare Characteristics of Three Lenses
The Leica 50 to 200mm lens has **circular bokeh with onion ring effects** from lens coatings, while at 200mm and f/4, it creates a **completely out-of-focus background**. The Olympus 40 to 150mm lens has **busy bokeh with highlighting and fringing**, but at 150mm, it effectively **blurs the background**. Each lens has its own unique bokeh and flare issues, with the Panasonic 35 to 100mm lens offering a **vintage swirly look**, the 50 to 200mm lens providing **soft and ghostly flare elements**, and the Olympus lens exhibiting **blue rings and complex flare patterns**.

### Comparing Lenses: Unique Elements and Performance
The lenses have distinct characteristics, with some having a **washed-out look** and others displaying **unusual flare patterns**. The Olympus lens offers a **blue-magenta color shift**, while the Lumix lens is **small, light, and affordable**, making it a **great option for travel**. The autofocus performance is similar across all lenses, but the Lumix lens stands out with its **unique bokeh and character**.

### Comparing Three Lenses for Filmmaking
The first lens offers unique **bokeh and flare patterns**, making it ideal for short films with a focus on **character**. The 50-200mm lens is the best built, with a **parfocal design** and **excellent image stabilization**, making it perfect for **telephoto handheld work** and **wildlife shooting**. The Olympus lens provides a 40-150mm range with a **shallow depth of field**, making it ideal for **event videographers and filmmakers**, while also benefiting from the **stabilization of Olympus cameras**.

### Comprehensive Review of Three Pro Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Micro Four-Thirds
* 📹 Rhett Thompson, a videographer and cinematographer, introduces three pro telephoto zoom lenses for micro four-thirds: the **Panasonic Lumix 35-100mm F2.8**, the **Panasonic Lumix 50-200mm F2.8-4**, and the **Olympus 40-150mm F2.8**.
* 🔍 Starting with build quality, the Panasonic 35-100mm is the **smallest and cheapest**, featuring a **plastic build with weather-sealing** and **smooth control rings**, although the focus ring feels **slightly loose**.
* 🔧 The Panasonic 50-200mm lens is larger and heavier, built entirely of metal, providing **excellent build quality and smooth zoom action**, but it can be **cold to handle in low temperatures**.
* ⚖ The Olympus 40-150mm lens is the largest, offering a **constant F2.8 aperture** and a mix of metal and plastic in its construction, featuring a **unique manual focus clutch system** but with some **focus precision challenges**.
* 🎥 In terms of image quality, all three lenses are sufficient for 4K video recording, with the **35-100mm lens showing the best sharpness and color performance** among the three.
* 🔄 Image stabilization is crucial for video, with the Panasonic lenses featuring **dual IS**, while the Olympus relies on the camera's **IBIS**, performing **adequately in practical scenarios**.
* 📏 Minimum focus distances vary, with the 35-100mm showing the **least magnification at 0.1 times**, while the 50-200mm and Olympus lenses provide **better close-up capabilities**.
* 🌟 Ultimately, each lens has its strengths and ideal applications, with the **35-100mm being great for travel**, the **50-200mm excelling in telephoto work**, and the Olympus lens being **ideal for those needing a fast aperture and versatility in dynamic shooting situations**.

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Micro 4/3 Pro Telephoto Zoom Battle | Panasonic vs. Olympus vs. Leica

Micro 4/3 Pro Telephoto Zoom Battle | Panasonic vs. Olympus vs. Leica