Olympus OM Pancake Lens: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you in the market for a compact, lightweight lens that doesn’t compromise on image quality? Look no further than the Olympus OM Pancake lens. This lens has been making waves in the photography community for its unique design and impressive performance. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the Olympus OM Pancake lens, covering its features, specifications, and how it compares to other lenses in the market.
Design and Build Quality
The Olympus OM Pancake lens is a marvel of engineering. At just 19mm thick and weighing a mere 100 grams, it’s one of the thinnest and lightest lenses available. Its pancake design, which is characterized by its flat profile, makes it an excellent choice for travel and street photography. The lens is constructed from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and a premium feel in the hand.
One of the standout features of the lens is its metal lens mount, which provides a secure connection to the camera body. The lens also features a manual focus ring, which allows for precise control over the focus distance. The overall build quality of the lens is exceptional, making it a reliable companion for any photographer.
Optical Performance
Despite its compact size, the Olympus OM Pancake lens delivers exceptional optical performance. It features a 17mm focal length, which is ideal for a variety of photography genres, including street, landscape, and portrait photography. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/8, which is sufficient for most low-light situations and provides a shallow depth of field for creative effects.
The lens is equipped with a 7-blade circular aperture, which helps to create a pleasing bokeh effect in the background. The lens also boasts excellent sharpness and color rendition, making it a great choice for capturing detailed and vibrant images. Additionally, the lens is designed to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion, ensuring that your photos are as accurate as possible.
Compatibility and Mount Options
The Olympus OM Pancake lens is designed to be compatible with a wide range of Olympus cameras, including the OM-D series and the Pen series. It can also be used with other camera brands that have an adapter, although some limitations may apply. The lens is available in two mount options: the Olympus OM mount and the Micro Four Thirds mount.
For Olympus OM camera users, the lens offers a direct connection to the camera body, which allows for features like aperture control and image stabilization. For Micro Four Thirds users, the lens provides a compact and lightweight option that is still capable of delivering excellent image quality.
Comparison with Other Lenses
When comparing the Olympus OM Pancake lens to other lenses in the market, it stands out for its unique combination of size, weight, and performance. Here’s a quick comparison with a few popular lenses:
| Lens | Focal Length | Maximum Aperture | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus OM Pancake | 17mm | f/8 | 100g | $299 |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM | 50mm | f/1.8 | 180g | $129 |
| Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR | 23mm | f/2 | 155g | $499 |
As you can see, the Olympus OM Pancake lens offers a unique combination of size, weight, and performance that is hard to match. While it may not have the widest aperture or the longest focal length, it excels in its compact and lightweight design, making it an excellent choice for travel and street photography.
Conclusion
The Olympus OM Pancake lens is a fantastic addition to any photographer’s collection. Its compact size, lightweight design, and exceptional optical performance make it an ideal choice for a variety of photography genres. Whether you’re a travel photographer or a street photographer, the Olympus OM Pancake lens is sure to impress. So