OM Unveils 100-400mm IS II Lens for Outdoor and Wildlife Photography
Outdoor and wildlife photographers looking for a new super telephoto zoom lens should check out the just launched OM System 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II. Designed for users of OM System (formerly Olympus) Micro Four Thirds cameras, the new (full name) OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II is slated to go on sale in late February 2025 for $1499.
The new OM System lens offers a versatile 200-800mm focal length (35mm equivalent). But with the addition of OM’s MC-20 2X teleconverter, the lens extends its focal length up to an impressive 1600mm, which should be great for bird and wildlife photography.
The OM 100-400mm IS II’s 5-axis sync IS system provides up to 7.0 stops of stabilization, to help produce sharp handheld shots even at full zoom. The new lens is built to withstand tough outdoor conditions, featuring an IPX1-rated splash-proof and dust-resistant design that should make it a good option for capturing nature’s beauty no matter the weather.
OM also launched the new OM-3 this morning, which is a compact Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera designed for street photographers and for outdoor shooters who may want to add a smaller second camera body to their bag. You can pair the OM 100-400mm IS II with the OM-3, of course, but the new camera’s smaller frame might make this combination awkward to shoot with. Olympus told us they expect most outdoor photographers to use the new super telephoto zoom with the larger, OM-1 Mark II camera body.
Compact Design with Premium Optics
Despite its long range and tough build, the OM System 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II is relatively compact and lightweight, tipping the scales at approximately 46 ounces (1300 grams). This streamlined design is all the more impressive considering the lens’ advanced optical design.
“The advanced optics of this lens, featuring 4 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses, 2 Super HR (Super High Refractive index) lenses, and 2 HR (High Refractive index) lenses, deliver crisp, superior performance across the entire zoom range. Additionally, the ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating minimizes ghosting and flares, ensuring clarity even in challenging backlit conditions,” OM said in a press release this morning.
“With a closest focusing distance of 1.3 m and a 0.57x equivalent maximum magnification (telephoto setting: minimum field size of 60.3 x 45.3 mm), the lens is outstanding for telemacro photography, ideal for capturing small, easily startled subjects like insects. It also supports focus stacking mode, combining multiple images at varying focal points to create sharp, detailed images with extended depth of field, even in shallow telemacro scenarios.”
More details about the OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II on OM’s website.
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