Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Review

Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification


From its Premium PRO range of prime lenses, we have the Olympus 45mm f/1.2 lens for MFT format cameras. With the 2x crop factor, this gives us a “35mm-format equivalent” of 90mm, the ideal portrait lens and therefore a very attractive proposition, especially with a fast f/1.2 aperture. Using the Panasonic Lumix G6 camera body, let's have a close look to see what this good-looking lens has to offer.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.2 Pro Handling and Features

The good looks of the lens are without doubt, with a beautiful glossy black finish and high-quality engraving throughout. It weighs in with at a satisfyingly solid 410g. The 62mm filter thread is surrounded by a bayonet fitting for the included round lens hood. This clips into place smoothly and a release catch is operated to remove it. Behind this, we find the lens designation engraving and then a depth of field scale, defunct in AF mode as the distance scale that goes with it is concealed. Pulling back the wide focusing ring reveals the distance scale and also switches the lens into MF mode. This works well enough, although the scale is such that it is very doubtful that much useful depth of field information can be gleaned from it. The spacing is very narrow and there are few figures on the scale to match up to. A certain amount of care is needed to avoid pulling back the lens into MF mode accidentally and a slightly firmer click stop on the mechanism could be helpful. Having said that, in use, it seems to be only a slight risk rather than a definite problem.

There is no aperture scale, all settings being controlled from the camera body. The solitary L-Fn switch cancels the AF when in AF mode, thus fixing the distance setting. A half press on the shutter release starts up AF again. This could be useful but more functionality may exist for the button when using different camera bodies that support additional features.

Focusing is down to 50cm, or 19.7 inches, a maximum magnification of 0.1x, or 1:10. This is reasonably close for a lens giving an “equivalent” 90mm field of view. It is worth bearing in mind that there is more depth of field because of the format, so backgrounds will not fall out of focus quite so markedly as they would with a 90mm lens on a full frame camera. That is not to detract though from the usefulness of a 45mm f/1.2 lens, and the depth of field on a portrait can still be very appealing.

The lens is billed a “dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof” and there seem to be no problems with that in cold, wet weather. It also has a “Movie and Still compatible mechanism” which means silent focusing and aperture adjustment helps ensure stable movie shooting as well as being advantageous for stills photography. Focusing is indeed very quiet and virtually instantaneous, with absolutely no trace of hunting. AF locks on every time.

Optical construction in 14 elements in 10 groups, including ED (Extra Low Dispersion) glass. The diaphragm comprises 9 rounded blades. The objective of the lens construction is to achieve a “feathered bokeh” that is especially smooth and suited to portrait photography in particular. The lens has many other strengths though and short-range sports, landscapes, architecture and travel are all well within its purview. Considering the perfect drawing of the lens, it is absolutely ideal for architectural shots.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.2 Pro Performance

The standard of sharpness throughout is very, very high. The centre starts off well, with excellent sharpness wide open at f/1.2. This becomes outstanding from f/2 to f/4, excellent from f/5.6 to f/8 and remains very good at f/11 and f/16.

Edge sharpness is excellent from f/1.2 all the way through to f/8, thereafter being very good at f/11 and f/16. Basically, all apertures are fully usable and they rise to a very high level at quite wide settings.

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO MTF Charts

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is virtually banished at the centre of the frame, returning very low figures. The edges are still held to well under one-pixel width, but some fringing can be seen on subjects such as branches against bright sky. If necessary, further correction can be applied in software.

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Chromatic Aberration Charts

Barrel distortion measures -0.01%, as near to zero as makes no difference. In other words, perfect drawing that would do credit to a macro lens, never mind a short telephoto of this speed. A very impressive result.

Flare is also virtually banished and the worst that can be induced is maybe a slight drop in overall contrast. This is despite making real efforts to upset the lens with very bright, low winter sun. There is no flare.

Bokeh is of especial interest, the quality and smoothness of the out of focus areas. This depends on many factors, such as lens design, the shape of the aperture blades and of course the subject itself. It all looks pretty good, and even when the background is quite “busy” there is no tendency towards a ragged effect. This is quite an achievement in a lens with such high resolution. The only real limitation is the small format itself.

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Sample Photos

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Aperture range

Value For Money

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO lens is priced at £1199. There are very few alternatives as bright as this, but the closest might be:

Samyang 50mm f/1.2 AS UMC CS, £341
Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH, £1199
Voigtlander 42.5mm f/0.95 Nokton, £749

Considering the quality produced, this seems fair enough, although it may be a bit on the expensive side. For more options have a look at the Top 15 Best Olympus Micro Four Thirds or the Top 35 Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.2 Pro Verdict

There is no doubt that the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.2 is a superb lens and one that would be a pleasure to own. The factors that come with that really more concern the cost, which is fairly high, and the applications that a photographer might have in mind. A 90mm-equivalent lens is a very useful optic for portraits, landscapes, short-range sports and architectural details. With perfect drawing, the architectural uses are probably as relevant as the potential for portraits.

It will be an easy decision for those with the cash ready or those who have a commercial use.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.2 is a beautiful, bright, short telephoto lens with outstanding performance.

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Specifications

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