The Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses for 2024

Lumix Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 / Panasonic G9 II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

The first lens most photographers get with a camera is a standard zoom. Starter options emphasize size and value. They are typically also available at a discount if you buy them along with a camera.

You’re likely to get a Panasonic 12-32mm or Olympus 14-42mm EZ as a bundled zoom, but you might want to move to a more capable zoom as you learn to better use your camera, and if your budget allows it.

There are many reasons to upgrade your lens. The F3.5-5.6 entry-level zooms lose light when you zoom in and aren’t as tough as premium options, many of which include weather sealing.

Olympus 12-200mm / E-M5 Mark III (Credit: Jim Fisher)

We like the Olympus 12-45mm F4 and 12-100mm F4 for enthusiasts. The former is a good option if you like to work with a smaller kit, while the latter is what to get if you want more zoom power without changing lenses. The Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 is another good midprice zoom.

Pros are more likely to choose a lens with an F2.8 aperture. We’ve not tested the OM 12-40mm F2.8 II but liked the old Olympus version of the lens. Panasonic has a good 12-35mm F2.8, but we’ve not tested the updated Mark II edition. They are better choices for working in dim light—a lens captures twice the light at F2.8 than at F4—and snap shots with a bit more background blur, too.

The Micro Four Thirds system also supports the fastest aperture zoom on sale today. The Panasonic 10-25mm F1.7 is more than twice as bright as an F2.8 lens and doesn’t lose light when you increase the focal length. Its $1,800 price is on the high end for the system, but so is the lens.

Olympus 7-14mm / Panasonic G9 II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Wide-angle lenses capture an epic, broad view of the world and are ideal for landscapes and architectural imaging.

For Micro Four Thirds, look for lenses that cover angles wider than 12mm. The Olympus Pro 8-25mm F4 zoom is one of our favorite options, and you can step up to the 7-14mm zoom if you want an f/2.8 aperture. The OM 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 II is a compact option. But it costs $700, so we think it’s worth spending more on the midsize Olympus Pro 8-25mm F4. Panasonic also sells a premium wide lens with Leica-certified optics, the DG 8-18mm F2.8-4.0, for around $1,100.

If you want a wide lens that gathers more light, you need to look at fixed-focal length choices. Most wide primes for the system are manual focus. Samyang and Venus Laowa aren’t household names but cover a space in which OM System and Panasonic don’t play.

There are a few wide-angle primes with autofocus for the system. For example, the Olympus 8mm F1.8 and Panasonic 8mm F3.5 capture fisheye views, while the Lumix G 9mm F1.7 is a rectilinear wide angle that shows straight lines in photos. We’ve not yet tested it, but it looks like a good, affordable option for around $500, and is well regarded by photogs who’ve tried it.

Olympus 300mm F4 / Panasonic G9 II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

The Micro Four Thirds system is especially appealing for photographers who use telephoto lenses. These types have longer focal lengths, so they capture a narrower angle. They’re ideal for photographing wildlife and for getting great shots of team sports from the sidelines or stands.

These lenses come in both zoom and prime varieties. Primes typically have brighter apertures and work with teleconverters to extend their reach—the Olympus 300mm F4 and Panasonic 200mm F2.8 are two fine examples. Both are firmly in enthusiast or pro territory, though, with prices in the $3,000 ballpark.

If you’re just starting, the Olympus 40-150mm F4-5.6 is affordable, but it doesn’t focus quickly and its aperture means you need to stick to bright environments. The OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm F4.0 is a good step-up option and one of our favorites for the system.

An f/2.8 zoom is a better choice if you frequently work indoors. If you want better shots in dim light or more control over depth of field, consider the Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 or Panasonic 35-100mm F2.8.

Olympus 300mm F4 / Panasonic G9 II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Wildlife specialists likely need something longer. The Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 supports 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, but you can get even longer zooms for the system. The Panasonic G Vario 100-300mm II is a good starting point. It includes weather sealing and is long enough for backyard birders and tight shots of mallards at the park for just $650. If you want more reach, look at the Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm II ($1,600) or the Olympus M.Zuiko 100-400mm ($1,500), the latter of which works with teleconverters. Both are likely out of the price range of casual photographers.

OM has a couple of pro-priced zooms, too. The M.Zuiko 150-600mm F5-6.3 ($2,600) comes with incredible telephoto reach and overall good picture quality, but its price, narrow aperture, and overly bulky, telescoping design make it a tough sell for Micro Four Thirds system owners, especially compared with the relatively compact M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0. The M.Zuiko 150-400mm F4.5 costs an arm and a leg at $7,500 but works to justify its price thanks to internal zoom optics and an integrated rear 1.25x teleconverter, which swaps it over to a 190-500mm F5.6 zoom with the flick of a switch. We’ve not tested it, however.

Olympus 45mm F1.2 / E-M1 Mark II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Prime lenses, those with a fixed angle of view, are typically a bit slimmer than zooms and gather more light. If you love snapping family photos in typical home lighting and getting a pleasingly blurry background in the process, think about a prime.

The Micro Four Thirds system includes primes that cover popular angles of view. Both Olympus and Panasonic offer relatively lightweight F1.8 and F1.7 lenses, many of which come in under $400.

If you want more control over depth of field, look at the Olympus Pro F1.2 series or the Panasonic Noctictron. They are certainly on the big side for the system but also get closer to the extremely shallow depth of field look that full-frame systems create.

If you’re open to manual focus, you have options with even brighter apertures for extremely shallow depth of field. Venus Laowa has a few F0.95 Argus series lenses for the system, and Voigtlander includes both F0.8 and F0.95 lenses in its Nokton line. As with the Olympus F1.2 lenses, these extra-bright lenses are bigger than the F1.8 primes.

Olympus 30mm Macro / PEN E-PL8 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Some lenses can focus closer than others. If you want to hone in on minuscule subjects, look for a macro. These lenses can magnify subjects at life-size or better at their close-up focus distance, without giving up the ability to snap photos of distant subjects.

We recommend the Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro for its low cost, better-than-life-size focus (1.25:1), and light build. The only drawback is that it requires you to get really close to your subject. If you want a bit more working distance, the Panasonic 45mm F2.8 and Olympus 60mm F2.8 are both worth a look.

Our favorite macro for Micro Four Thirds is a high-end option, the $1,500 OM System 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO. It’s the only lens of its type that includes both 2:1 magnification and autofocus. It also supports teleconverters for a tighter frame and 4:1 magnification.

Lensbaby Sol 22 / Olympus E-M1X (Credit: Jim Fisher)

There are plenty of ways to add some creative flair to your camera system. Creative effects lenses, like those from Lensbaby and Lomography, are all manual, and many, like the Composer Pro II and Velvet family, are available for multiple systems. The Lensbaby Sol 22 is made just for Micro Four Thirds cameras, it’s a good starter for photographers who want to play with the plane of focus.

We highlighted some of our favorites for creators below, but don’t count out vintage lenses. As mentioned, mirrorless cameras give you plenty of options when it comes to adapters.

Lensbaby Omni Filters (Credit: Jim Fisher)

A lens isn’t the only accessory you can add to your camera to expand its functionality. Several different tools can take your photography, vlogging, and cinematography to the next level.

For photographers, we recommend getting an add-on flash for your camera. Many Micro Four Thirds models don’t include a built-in flash. We like the Godox V1; its round head and rechargeable battery set it apart from most competitors.

You also have the option of adding a radio transmitter accessory for more lighting options. If you really prefer off-camera lighting, think about a more powerful strobe with battery power. The Flashpoint Xplor 300 is a good fit for light stands and tripods, while you can mount or handhold the smaller Xplor 100.

A good tripod is something every photographer should own. The in-body stabilization on cameras like the OM-1 is outstanding, but tripods are useful for high-resolution multi-shot modes, astrophotography, and video work. There are loads of good ones available, though our favorite model for mirrorless cameras is the Peak Design Travel Tripod.

We also like the Lensbaby Omni filter series. It puts modifiers in front of your lens for creative lighting effects. It’s useful for video as well as stills.

Vloggers buying a Micro Four Thirds system for 4K capabilities should also think about an external microphone, as clear audio is as important as sharp video. For video stabilization, the DJI RS 4 is our favorite gimbal for most mirrorless cameras, but Micro Four Thirds owners can likely get away with the slimmer RS 3 Mini.