The optical design looks identical to the Sigma C 100–400 mm f/5–6.3 DG lens. Looking at the Lensip review of the Sigma the IQ at 400m on APS-C is very good. Let hope that Olympus improved the AF speed.
At 200 mm the results are simply sensational, with MTFs noticeably exceeding 40 lpmm. The 100 mm focal length is not much worse. The longer end of range of focal length range shows a similar level, with the resolution results reaching near 37 lpmm. Compared to the Nikkor AF-S 80-400 mm VR the Sigma prevails practically at every focal length. The duel with the Canon 100-400 mm II is more balanced: at the longer end of the focal spectrum you get a draw, at the shorter end the Sigma is better.
The optical design looks identical to the Sigma C 100–400 mm f/5–6.3 DG lens. Looking at the Lensip review of the Sigma the IQ at 400m on APS-C is very good. Let hope that Olympus improved the AF speed.
Somebody over at 43rumors corrected for the perspective difference and it looks like the rear (focus?) group is a bit smaller on the Olympus lens while everything else is identical.
While the optical design seems to be very close, there are important improvements that Olympus has made that give it added value:
~ 4 additional HR elements, to improve sharpness across the frame, for total of 8 special elements vs. only 4 with the Sigma.
~ Zero coating on the lens to help with ghosting and flare, which was an issue for the Sigma.
~ Extensive sealing on the entire lens like the Olympus Pro lenses. Will this allow Olympus to give it a weather sealing rating? Even if not, I trust Olympus weather sealing way more than Sigma.
~ Focus clutch on the Olympus, but not on the Sigma.
~ Tripod foot and collar, both of which may be removable, vs. no collar or foot for the Sigma.
~ 72mm filter size, same as my 40-150 Pro, which this will be paired with.
~ Better AF is practically assured vs the Sigma. Anything close to my 40-150 Pro and I will be happy.
~ The ability to use my MC-14 teleconverter.
~ Assuming IS is Sync IS, it will work with my EM1 MKIII to the full extent of the IBIS system.
Geez, who cares what the optical design similarities are compared to the Sigma? It will be an Olympus lens, period. It will be better, period. And besides taking the 1.4x TC, it will also take the 2x TC.
This lens HAS to have better IQ at 400mm vs the PL 100-400, otherwise adding a TC may not result in sharper image than cropping. We will see. I do find it interesting that it now looks like this lens may come out before the 150-400mm. Perhaps Olympus has realized that premium pricing is not a working model right now.
Imagemaster wrote:
I owned a few copies of the PL 100-400, and all were as sharp at 400mm as the Oly 300 f4.
The Canon 100-400 II, Sony 100-400, & Sony 150-600 all give good results with both TC's, and better results than cropping.
JMO, having owned all of them.
Sharp primes plus a TC are generally good. Maybe I should have said, "The lens HAS to take a TC well...." I guess I am just noting that I have less confidence with a zoom, but I certainly hope for good results.
Images look ok. Probably a step up from the Oly 75-300 5.6-6.7. But then again it is Robin Wong, so my pictures will surely look worse.
Bokeh looks a bit distracting, which is what I would expect from a zoom with aspheric elements.
I doubt it will take teleconverters particularly well. In my experience teleconverters take the lens down about a grade, .e.g. a pro lens will look like a good consumer grade lens and a good consumer grade lens will look like an ordinary consumer grade lens once a tele is added. I expect this will look like an ordinary consumer grade lens with the 1.4 tele.
Geoff D F wrote:
I doubt it will take teleconverters particularly well. In my experience teleconverters take the lens down about a grade, .e.g. a pro lens will look like a good consumer grade lens and a good consumer grade lens will look like an ordinary consumer grade lens once a tele is added. I expect this will look like an ordinary consumer grade lens with the 1.4 tele.
Here are the Olympus USA official specifications. Sync IS is NOT supported, a stupid decision, especially since the part/tech already exist for the less expensive 12-100 lens. Note too that the Lens IS deteriorates with each TC. Other than that is seems to be a well designed lens.
Focal Length
100-400mm
35mm Equivalent Focal Length
200-800mm
Lens Construction
21 elements in 15 groups (4 ED lenses, 2 Super HR lenses, 2 HR lenses)
Dust & Drip Proof
IEC Standard publication 60529 IPX1
(applies when the lens is used with Olympus splashproof Body) / Dustproof construction
Focusing System
High-speed Imager AF (MSC)
Angle of View
12 degrees (Wide) - 3.1 degrees (Tele)
Closest Focusing Distance
1.3 m (at all focal lengths)
Maximum Image Magnification
0.09x (Wide) / 0.29x (Tele)
35mm Equivalent Max. Image Magnification
0.17x(Wide) / 0.57x (Tele)
Minimum Field Size
202.4×152.1mm (Wide) / 60.3×45.3mm (Tele)
Number of Blades
9 (Circular aperture diaphragm)
Maximum Aperture
F5
Lens IS Mechanism
VCM (voice coil motor)
IS Performance
Lens IS: 3 steps*
* According to CIPA standards; with yaw and pitch applied and focal length set to 400mm.
* 5-Axis Sync IS is not supported.
Lens IS Switch ON: the lens stabilizing function is operative.
Lens IS Switch OFF: the lens stabilizing function is disabled. The stabilizing function of the camera will operate according to the camera setting. To disable all stabilizing functions, disable the functions on both the camera and the lens.
Filter Size
Diameter 72 mm
Lens hood
LH-76D Lens Hood
Dimensions
⌀86.4×205.7mm
Weight
1,120g (without Tripod Adapter, Lens Cap, Lens Rear Cap and Lens Hood)
Box Contents
LH-76D Lens Hood, LC-72D Lens Cap, LR-2 Lens Rear Cap, Instruction Manual, Warranty Card
Related Accessories
Zuiko PRF-ZD72 PRO Protection Filter, LH-76D Lens Hood, LC-72C Lens Cap, LR-2 Lens Rear Cap, LSC-1127 Lens Case, DR-79 Decoration Ring
With MC-14 1.4x Teleconverter:
Maximum Image Magnification
0.12x (Wide) / 0.40x (Tele)
35mm Equivalent Max. Image Magnification
0.24x (Wide) / 0.81x (Tele)
Minimum Field Size
143.5×107.9mm (Wide) / 42.8×32.1mm (Tele)
IS Performance
Lens IS 2 steps** According to CIPA standards. With yaw and pitch applied and focal length set to 560mm.
With MC-20 2.0x Teleconverter:
Maximum Image Magnification
0.17x (Wide) / 0.57x (Tele)
35mm Equivalent Max. Image Magnification
0.34x (Wide) / 1.15x (Tele)
Minimum Field Size
101.2×76.0mm (Wide) / 30.1×22.6mm (Tele)
IS Performance
Lens IS 1.5 steps** According to CIPA standards. With yaw and pitch applied and focal length set to 800mm.
Note that the similarity in optical design of the new Oly 100-400mm is to the old DSLR version of the Sigma 100-400m and NOT to the new improved mirrorless design Sigma 100-400mm.
Sigma doesn’t tell when they use e.g. HR elements. Sigma only indicates FLD and SLD glass and aspherical glass.
The lack of Sync IS compatibility could also be a sign that this is but a rebadged old Sigma DSLR version 100-400mm lens.
$2300 in Australia makes it pretty much a non-starter for me. Not sure if US pricing has been announced but based on the Australian price expect around $1500 in the US.
I still don’t understand why Olympus lens which has slower aperture, non-metal build is still longer and heavier than Panasonic! Shouldn't it be smaller and lighter?
