“Takin’ It To The Streets” is the title of an old song by the classic rock band The Doobie Brothers, and it perfectly applies to this first lens under the OM System branding.
The OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro lens is a 40mm full frame equivalent, and this focal length is becoming ever more popular for capturing the world around us.
Highly Recommended
Small, lightweight lens offering fast focusing, a robust build, and tack sharpness with excellent bokeh.
This small micro four-thirds lens from OM Digital Solutions, the company formerly known as Olympus, is perfect for street and travel photography.
I recently took it out in my area attached to the OM System OM-5 camera body to photograph the surroundings.
OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro Lens Specs
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- Focal Length – 20mm (35mm Equivalent: 40mm)
- Maximum Aperture – f/1.4
- Minimum Aperture – f/16
- Focus Type – Autofocus
- Filter Size – 58 mm (Front)
- Minimum Focus Distance – 9.8″ / 25 cm
- Optical Design – 11 Elements in 10 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades – 9, Rounded
- Dimensions (ø x L) – 2.5 x 2.4″ / 63.4 x 61.7 mm
- Weight – 8.7 oz / 247 g
- Very small and lightweight
- Weather sealed
- Excellent rendering, color, and sharpness
- A good price for a professional lens
- Excellent autofocus performance
- Excellent bokeh
- No lens function buttons
- No manual focus clutch
- Some purple fringing in high-contrast areas
Build & Ergonomics
Despite its tiny size and weight, the OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro features incredible build quality.
It feels extremely solid when used, and yet, on small cameras such as the Olympus E M1 Mark III, you hardly even know it’s mounted.
I believe this lens was essentially made for street photographers and travel photographers, and that there are no notable extra features for this reason.
I understand that the lack of a lens function button and the highly touted manual focus clutch may be a letdown to long-time Olympus users, but the trade-off is a very small and highly capable lens.
Focus Performance
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/800 f/1.4 ISO200
Even though I wasn’t photographing moving subjects with this new lens, I could tell it focused quickly. I was able to attain focus instantly wherever I pointed it.
All the sample images with this lens were taken on overcast days, with a few near dusk but nothing in extremely low light.
However, even if you’re shooting in darker conditions, the bright f/1.4 light gathering will help attain focus with this lens.
Image Quality
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/400 f/4 ISO200
The micro four-thirds system of lenses is known for their sharpness. There are not too many duds among them, and the OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro lens does not disappoint.
The feathered bokeh rendering from the 9 rounded blades is a very attractive blur, considering the fairly wide field you get with this lens.
The best way to see these lovely out-of-focus backgrounds is to get close to your subject.
While I did not experience any aberrations with this lens, I have seen samples and reports of purple fringing in high-contrast situations when shooting wide open with extreme backlighting.
OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro Lens Sample Images
Below are some sample images that were taken with the OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro lens, using an OM System OM-5 camera.
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/2500 f/1.4 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/1600 f/1.4 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/200 f/4 ISO400
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/2000 f/2 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/2500 f/4.5 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/2000 f/1.4 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/1000 f/1.4 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/160 f/4 ISO400
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/1600 f/1.4 ISO200
OM System OM-5 + OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro | 1/640 f/1.4 ISO200
How I Tested the OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro Lens
I photograph weddings for a living with large and heavy camera equipment, and it was a pure joy to walk about with such a lightweight setup as the OM System OM-5 camera body and OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro lens.
I didn’t feel I was compromising image quality, and it felt great to photograph life purely for fun.
The entire week was rain-threatening, but I was not concerned due to the excellent weather sealing of this lens, which includes being dust and freeze-proof.
Alternatives
The obvious alternative to this lens at a similar price and size is the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 II ASPH. It is just as fast, small, and lightweight but is not weather-sealed.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 lens is half the price, but it’s an older design and not weather-sealed.
Alternatively, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro is double the price and size but offers more features and a faster aperture.
Again, if you’re a hiker or love street photography and want to keep a low profile, the OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro is probably your best choice, even when mounted to a Panasonic Lumix body.
Value for Money
At around US$700, I think the OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro offers very good value for money, especially considering the image quality, build quality, and reliable IPX1-rated weather sealing – a hallmark of Olympus and now OM System.
There really isn’t a true alternative for this unique focal length for an autofocus lens.
Whether hiking, traveling, or shooting street photography in your hometown, a superbly built lens with great image quality is worth the investment.
FAQ’s
Does the OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 Pro have a metal mount?
Yes.
How weather-sealed is the OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro?
It has IPX1-rated weather sealing and is also dust and freeze-proof.
OM System 20mm f/1.4 Pro Lens Review | Conclusion
Combined with one of the small OM System camera bodies such as the OM System OM-5, this lens is perfect for street and travel photographers and those who like hiking and doing other adventurous activities.
Without sacrificing quality, you cannot get much smaller and lighter in the camera world.
While full-frame camera bodies are getting smaller, the lenses are still quite large.
Throw in the light gathering of the f/1.4 aperture and the outstanding build quality, and you’re all set to go out into the world to capture all of its wonders, no matter what the weather throws at you.
I’d love to have this lens in my bag for my next trip, although I won’t be climbing mountains.
Highly Recommended
Small, lightweight lens offering fast focusing, a robust build, and tack sharpness with excellent bokeh.
