Olympus users will I'm sure be delighted to see a substantial and significant new lens arriving that will enhance and expand the current range of optics. MFT format has compactness at its core, and Olympus have taken the opportunity to produce a long-range zoom with a limited aperture that is relatively light and compact. A 100-400mm lens with a “35mm equivalent” field of view of 200-800mm has to be an attractive proposition for wildlife and sports photographers in particular, especially when it is as compact as this new lens is. Let's have a close look, using the 20mp Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera body.

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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS Handling and Features

Olympus make tidy looking lenses and they make them very well, this one being no exception. The quality of finish is excellent throughout. A generously sized bayonet fit lens hood is provided and it clips firmly into place. There is no tendency for it to loosen in use. The lens is weather-sealed and is dust, splash and freezeproof. The 100-400mm focal length range equates to an angle of view similar to a 200-800mm lens on a full-frame DSLR, an incredible range to have in a lens so small that weighs in at a relatively modest 1120g. Although we can expect more depth of field than with a full-frame camera for a given aperture, there is plenty of opportunity for out of focus backgrounds with such a long lens. The extra DOF is probably a benefit rather than a drawback.

First up is the electronic manual focus ring, which is smooth as silk as we might expect. Manual focus can be employed whilst in AF mode and various options can be chosen from the camera menu. Focusing is down to 1.3m at all focal lengths, giving a maximum magnification of 0.29x, which is incredibly useful. The lens also supports focus stacking with appropriate camera bodies.

The wide zoom ring has an excellent grip and focal lengths of 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 300mm and 400mm are clearly marked. Behind this, there are several switches. The focus limiter gives choices of 1.3-6m, 1.3m to infinity and 6m to infinity. In any event, the focus is blisteringly fast and locks on immediately every time. There is an AF/MF switch, plus the on/off switch for the built-in Image Stabilisation. Olympus claims a 3 stop advantage and this is easily achievable, quite a boon at the longer lengths especially. On the other side of the lens barrel there is a lock switch that can hold the zoom at 100mm for transport. This may be needed as the lens barrel extends when zooming, although not when focusing.

Closest to the camera body, we find a well made, solid tripod foot on a rotating ring. This is useful for turning the lens/camera for vertical shots whilst on a tripod. The foot is ARCA Swiss compatible.

Optical construction is 21 elements in 15 groups, including 2 HR (High Refractive Index), 2 Super HR and 4 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) elements. The Olympus ZERO coating technology is applied and the diaphragm comprises 9 curved blades to enhance bokeh, the smoothness of the out of focus areas in an image.

If the reach of the lens is not enough, then there are two compatible teleconverters, the M.Zuiko Digital 1.4x TC MC14 and the M.Zuiko Digital 2x TC MC20. These extend the “35mm equivalent” reach to 1120mm and 1600mm respectively, at a loss of 1 or 2 stops of light.

Using the lens is really an absolute doddle, it handles beautifully, focuses virtually instantly and allows amazing close-ups of wildlife. It does, of course, require high shutter speeds where at all possible, not only to handle camera shake, despite the mitigation of the highly effective IS system, but of course to minimise subject movement. Most wildlife does not stand still to be photographed. Increasing the ISO is also a real option with today's cameras. Whatever method is chosen, a sharp image that shows noise will always be better than a noise-free blur.