Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS Review
The OM System 100-400mm is a specialist's dream: incredibly sharp and built like a tank for wildlife, but its slow aperture makes it a poor choice for portraits or low light.
Overview
The OM System 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS is a specialist's lens, and it's fantastic at what it's built for. If you need a super-telephoto zoom for wildlife or sports on a Micro Four Thirds camera, this is the one to get. The one thing to know? It's incredibly sharp and built like a tank, but don't even think about using it for portraits or low light. It's a tool, not a do-it-all lens.
Performance
What surprised me was just how good the image quality is. With optical performance in the 97th percentile, this lens is sharp across the frame even at 800mm equivalent. The stabilization is also top-tier, letting you shoot handheld at surprisingly slow shutter speeds. The autofocus is fine for birds in flight or athletes, but it's not the fastest lens out there, which is the trade-off for that stellar optics.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Optical quality is exceptional. It's sharp, sharp, sharp. 99th
- Build quality is off the charts. It's weather-sealed and feels indestructible. 97th
- The reach is insane for its size. 800mm equivalent in a package this compact is wild. 91th
- Image stabilization is fantastic, making long-lens handheld shooting a real option. 88th
Cons
- The aperture is slow. f/6.3 at the long end means you need good light. 18th
- Forget about bokeh or macro work. It's not what this lens is for. 32th
- Autofocus is just okay. It gets the job done but won't win any speed awards.
- It's expensive. You're paying a premium for that OM System glass and sealing.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 100 |
| Focal Length Max | 400 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 15 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/5 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 1300 |
| Max Magnification | 0.12x |
Value & Pricing
At $1500, it's a lot of money. But if you're a wildlife or sports shooter on the OM System, it's worth every penny. There's nothing else in the system that gives you this combination of reach, sharpness, and ruggedness. For anyone else, it's a hard pass.
vs Competition
The most relevant competitor is the Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II. It's a travel zoom, not a super-telephoto. The Panasonic gives you wide to tele in one lens, but its long end is only 280mm equivalent and it's not nearly as sharp or well-built. If you need serious reach, the OM lens is in a different league. The other lenses listed are primes or standard zooms; they don't compete in the same space at all. This lens has a very specific job.
| Spec | Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for | Canon RF Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm f1.7 Fuji, AF 35mm f/1.7 Air XF for | Nikon NIKKOR Z Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 100-400mm | 55mm | 17-70mm | 24mm | 35mm | 24-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/5 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | FUJIFILM X | Canon RF | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 120 | 281 | 544 | 272 | 170 | 676 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | Zoom | Wide-Angle | - | Wide-Angle Zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS | 46.4 | 32.2 | 99.3 | 43.4 | 97.3 | 17.6 | 91.4 | 70.4 | 87.8 |
| Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 81.1 | 89.1 | 67.5 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 89.9 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.4 | 77.7 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 92.1 | 87.8 |
| Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Compare | 46.4 | 81.8 | 87.6 | 81 | 82.5 | 75.8 | 37.5 | 98 | 99.9 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm f1.7 Fuji Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 92.9 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.6 | 37.5 | 46.3 | 87.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Compare | 46.4 | 71.6 | 72.1 | 72.5 | 97 | 54.6 | 85.4 | 98 | 87.8 |
Verdict
If you shoot birds, wildlife, or distant sports with an OM System camera, buy this lens. It's the best tool for that job. The image quality and build are phenomenal. If you're a generalist, a portrait shooter, or someone who shoots in dim light, look elsewhere. This lens is a brilliant specialist, and I recommend it wholeheartedly for that purpose.