This article does an M.Zuiko PRO lens comparison with various Nikkor lenses. To arrive at the best comparisons that I could, the same apertures and equivalent fields-of-view were used where possible. All equivalent field-of-views noted are based on comparisons to a full frame camera format. Obviously there are not exact matches for all of the lenses between these two brands and formats. This is not a performance comparison. It is one based primarily on price, size, and weight.

One of the reasonably common comments expressed in online photography chat rooms is that Olympus M.Zuiko PRO lenses are ‘expensive’. This begs the question, “Compared to what?”

The intent of this article is simply to show a number of match-ups between similar lenses so readers can make their own assessment. This article is not a discussion about the relative merits of the M4/3 or full frame camera formats. Individual photographers can decide for themselves which camera format and lenses best meet their needs. Both camera formats have their advantages and challenges.

The only reason that I chose Nikkor lenses for this comparison is that I have first hand experience with the Nikon brand. I happen to think that Nikon makes excellent camera equipment which is one of the reasons that I used it for many years.

If you have an interest in comparing Olympus M.Zuiko PRO lenses to those by other manufacturers such as Canon or Sony, you can do a similar comparison for yourself.

At the time of writing this article, Olympus had 10 PRO lenses in its line-up with a number of additional PRO lenses on its official lens road map. The M.Zuiko ED 150-400 f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO lens is scheduled to be released by the end of 2020.

Let’s have a look at the 10 M.Zuiko PRO lenses that are currently available. All prices are based on current list prices in Canada. In each lens match up I have focused on price, aperture, equivalent field-of-view, weight and size.

M.Zuiko PRO 17 mm f/1.2 Prime

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,700. The PRO 17 mm weighs 390 grams and measures 68.2 x 87 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 34 mm.

The closest Nikkor lens that is currently available is the Nikkor F-Mount 35 mm f/1.4.  It is not quite as bright as the M.Zuiko PRO 17 mm f/1.2 and has a marginally longer equivalent field-of-view. The list price of the Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 is $2,100. It weighs 600 grams and measures 80 x 89.5 mm.

M.Zuiko PRO 25 mm f/1.2 Prime

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,700. The PRO 25 mm f/1.2 weighs 410 grams and measures 70 x 87 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 50 mm.

The Nikkor Z-Mount 50 mm f/1.2 list price is $2,800. It weighs 1090 grams and measures 89.5 x 150 mm.

M.Zuiko PRO 45 mm f/1.2 Prime

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,700. The PRO 25 mm f/1.2 weighs 410 grams and measures 70 x 84.9 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 90 mm. This is a lens that we own.

The closest currently available lens from Nikon is the Nikkor F-Mount 85 mm f/1.4. This lens is not quite as bright as the M.Zuiko PRO 45 mm f/1.2, and has a slightly shorter equivalent field-of-view. The list price of the Nikkor 85 mm f/1.4 is $2,000. It weighs 595 grams and measures 86.2 x 84 mm.

M.Zuiko PRO 7-14 mm f/2.8 Zoom

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,750. The PRO 7-14 mm f/2.8 weighs 534 grams and measures 78.9 x 105.8 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 14-28 mm. This is a lens that we own.

The closest currently available lens from Nikon is the Nikkor Z-Mount 14-24 mm f/2.8. This lens has a slightly shorter equivalent field-of-view on the long end of its range when compared to the M.Zuiko PRO 7-14 mm f/2.8. The list price of the Nikkor Z-Mount 14-24 mm f/2.8 is $3,200. It weighs 650 grams and measures 88.5 x 124.5 mm.

M.Zuiko PRO 12-40 mm f/2.8 Zoom

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,350. The PRO 12-40 mm f/2.8 weighs 382 grams and measures 69.9 x 84 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 24-80 mm. This is a lens that we own.

The closest currently available lens from Nikon is the Nikkor Z-Mount 24-70 mm f/2.8. This lens has a slightly shorter equivalent field-of-view at the long end of its range when compared to the M.Zuiko PRO 12-40 mm f/2.8. The list price of the Nikkor Z-Mount 24-70 mm f/2.8 is $2,999. It weighs 805 grams and measures 89 x 126 mm.

M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 Zoom

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $2,000. The PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 weighs 760 grams without the tripod collar (880 grams with the tripod collar) and measures 79.4 x 160 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 80-300 mm. This is a lens that we own.

The M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom accepts both the M.Zuiko MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters. These extend the equivalent field-of-view to 112-420 mm at f/4, and 150-600 mm at f/5.6 respectively.

There is no Nikkor zoom lens that covers the same equivalent field-of-view with a constant f/2.8 aperture. There are two Nikkor lenses that could be considered.

The first is the Nikkor Z-Mount 70-200 f/2.8. This lens has a much shorter equivalent field-of-view on the telephoto end when compared to the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8. The list price of the Nikkor Z-Mount 70-200 mm f/2.8 is $3,399. It weighs 1360 grams and measures 89 x 220 mm.

Another Nikkor lens that could be considered is the Nikkor F-Mount 120-300 mm f/2.8 zoom. This lens does not have as wide an equivalent field-of-view on the wider end of the zoom range. The list price of the Nikkor F-Mount 120-300 mm f/2.8 is $12,399. It weighs 3250 grams and measures 128 x 303.5 mm.

M.Zuiko PRO 8 mm f/1.8 Fisheye

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,350. The PRO 8 mm f/1.8 Fisheye lens weighs 315 grams and measures 62 x 80 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 16 mm. The angle of view is 180 degrees.

The closest Nikon lens is the Nikkor F-Mount 16 mm f/2.8 Fisheye. The list price is $1,350. It weighs 290 grams and measures 63 x 57 mm. This Nikkor lens is over 1 full stop slower than the M.Zuiko PRO 8 mm f/1.8 Fisheye. The angle of view is 180 degrees.

M.Zuiko PRO IS 12-100 mm f/4 Zoom

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $1,750. The PRO IS 12-100 mm f/4 zoom weighs 561 grams and measures 77.5 x 116.5 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 24-200 mm. This is a lens that we own.

The closest Nikon lens is the Nikkor F-Mount 24-120 mm f/4 zoom. The list price is $1,449. It weighs 710 grams and measures 84 x 103 mm. This Nikkor lens has a much shorter equivalent field-of-view on the telephoto end when compared to the M.Zuiko PRO IS 12-100 mm f/4 zoom.

Another consideration would be the effectiveness of the VR in the Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4 zoom. It is doubtful that it would come anywhere close to the up to 7.5 stops of IBIS performance that is delivered by the M.Zuiko PRO IS 12-100 mm f/4 when matched with an Olympus OM-D E-M1X or E-M1 Mark III body. Or the up to 6.5 stops of IBIS performance when paired with the OM-D E-M5 Mark III.

M.Zuiko PRO 12-45 mm f/4 Zoom

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $850. The PRO 12-45 mm f/4 weighs 254 grams and measures 63.4 x 70 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 24-90 mm.

The closest Nikon lens is the Nikkor Z-Mount 24-70 mm f/4 zoom. The list price is $1,299. It weighs 500 grams and measures 77.5 x 88.5 mm. This Nikkor lens has a much shorter equivalent field-of-view on the long end of the zoom when compared to the M.Zuiko PRO 12-45 mm f/4 zoom.

M.Zuiko PRO IS 300 mm f/4 Prime

The current list price for this lens in Canada is $3,700. The PRO IS 300 mm f/4 prime weighs 1270 grams without the tripod collar, and 1475 grams with it. The lens measures 92.5 x 227 mm. It has an equivalent field-of-view of 600 mm.

The M.Zuiko PRO IS 300 mm f/4 prime accepts both the M.Zuiko MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters. These extend the equivalent field-of-view to 840 mm at f/5.6, and 1200 mm at f/8 respectively.

The M.Zuiko PRO IS 300 mm f/4 prime can be compared to three Nikon long telephoto f/4 prime lenses.

The first is the Nikkor 300 mm f/4 prime. The list price is $2,599. It weighs 755 grams and measures 89.5 x 147.5 mm. The equivalent field-of-view is 300 mm shorter than the M.Zuiko PRO IS 300 mm f/4.

The second is the Nikkor 500 mm f/4 prime. The list price is $12,899. It weighs 3090 grams and measures 140 x 387 mm. The equivalent field-of-view is 100 mm shorter than the M.Zuiko PRO IS 300 mm f/4 prime.

The final comparison is with the Nikkor 600 mm f/4 prime. The list price is $15,999. It weighs 3810 grams and measures 166 x 432 mm.

When considering various camera formats and systems it is always important to consider the interchangeable lenses that are available. It is also important to not accept online opinions at face value, without doing your own fact checking. I hope this M.Zuiko PRO lens comparison has been of value.

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