I have this lens and it's fantastic. I've posted a video with some SOOC JPEGs. I had several new copies of the Panasonic 100-400, and all had problems. I would not recommend that lens new or used. I've not read one complaint about the Olympus 100-400. I regularly use it with the 1.4 teleconverter!
Just to clarify one point that I made in the video and finally confirmed with Olympus, this lens does support Sync-IS but not in 5-axis mode. I've tested this and it does work. This is to do with the technical limitation on how much the sensor movement can compensate with such narrow (3.1 degree) viewing angle at 400mm (and beyond when using teleconverters).
So if I use the body stabilization alone like the EM1X I get 7 stop instead of the lens 3 stop ? Why bother with Lens is if you can’t work with the body. Might as well get rid of it and save weight and lower the price.
@@ryantang8146 7 stops of IBIS for the EM1X and EM1 miii is only for certain focal ranges. Typically, IBIS alone has difficulty compensating for motion in super telephoto lenses. This is a limitation for all camera manufacturers that implement IBIS and is the reason why most telephoto lenses will have optical stabilization.
Jimmy, I think you need to change that comment on IS & OIS. This lens is not compatible with Sync IS, but (supposedly after FW 1.3 update) allows the lens's OIS to operate in two axes while with the camera's IBIS correction only for roll (both working independently of each other). If the OIS is turned off then the camera's 5 axis IBIS can take effect instead, though for 400mm becomes excessive with limited sensor movement possible See FW update details. Ver.1.3 (Aug. 04 2020) Possible to use in-camera focus stacking mode with "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS". Image stabilization performance when using "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS" has been improved. * Roll compensation is available with the image stabilization function of the body, along with the pitch and yaw image stabilization function of the lens. * The "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS" is not compatible with 5-axis Sync IS.
The 150-400mm f/4.5 will support Sync IS. The reason the 100-400mm doesn't has nothing to do with the field of view, and everything to do with the fact that it's actually made by Sigma.
I pre-ordered this great lens early September 2020 when it became available in the Netherlands. Had to wait for 6 weeks upon the delivery, but it was worth the wait. I bought it especially for aviation photography and is now "married" to my Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk.II. I just love the handling and weight of this lens and it is well stabilized as well. Next step for me would be getting myself either the Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk.IV or the Olympus OMD-EM5 Mk.III and the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm.
Update: Since writing my last comment I upgradeted my camera from Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk.II, to the Olympus OMD-EM1 Mk.II. So the 100-400mm got "divorced from the EM10 and is now "married" to the EM1 Mk.II. Still having the EM10 Mk.II which now is coupled to the Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150mm Mk.II. So far the 100-400mm in combo with the EM1 Mk.II is great. With the Em1 Mk.II it zooms really fast inC-AF. I can even use tracking function of the EM1. Anyway it is the best telezoom I ever owned.
just curious, is the 100-400mm's autofocusing speed fast? especially on the em10 mk ii as i have that body as well i intend to get this lens to shoot birds in flight, and i was thinking of going sony (due to the animal eye af tracking being super accurate) i have been shooting with an FD 300mm f4 and have gotten quite used to no lens IS and only MF, so i think i am skilled enough to handle this 100-400 steadily
The 100-400mm coupled to the EM10 Mk. II is, in my opinion, fast enough but if you are looking for animal eye tracing I can advice you to look for a (good secondhand) EM1X. I have the EM1 Mk. II but that lacks the animal eye tracker. The EM1 series camera bodies coupled with the 100-400MM is a lot faster then the EM10 Mk. II
The Panasonic Leica 100-400mm is available for about the same price (or less on the used market), and it has fewer compromises. It's faster at the wide end and even at 300mm, plus it's optically superior in terms of bokeh. The Panasonic lens is also more compact than this lens, and it's compatible with Panasonic's DFD autofocus system if you have a Lumix body. (I own an E-M1 II and a G85.) It's just a pity Olympus and Panasonic couldn't make their stabilization more compatible across camera bodies. However, if you're only shooting on an Olympus body, this is a way to get optical stabilization that is compatible with in-body stabilization. Olympus is also bringing out a 150-400mm f4.5 lens in the future, but that will be quite a bit bigger and considerably more expensive.
People worried about overall carryweight can always get the Panasonic 12-32 (thirtytwo!) mm at just 70 grams. It's brilliantly sharp, produces nice colors and has completely changed my overall lens considerations - the 1.x kilos of the 100-400 doesn't bother me as much this way.
Great that the converters are attachable. With the MC-14 added I noted that f6.3 becomes f8.8 which you suggest images will suffer from defraction. With the MC-20 the f5-6.3 is f10-12.6. What did you feel about the image quality with the MC-20?
1. Try to use the EM-1 Mark III with x2 converter to taking 1600mm photo for the Jupiter and the Saturn. 2. Testing the stabilizability when at the 400mm side(800mm 135mm frame) as how much seconds you can doing the effection handheld photo taking. please.
it would be 800mm optically, not your 1600mm. Ask yourself, when you crop, do you "magically" get closer and the image gets more details? Same story here, the 400m with x2 converter is 800m optically, no more no less.
Seem that the video was taken in a new manner, very cinematic! Thanks your introducing.Will see the 150-400mm's quality and compare, see if that is much better with the build in 1.25x converter and therefore an even longer reach.
gus ng Glad you enjoy my new style :) Yes, from now on, if time allows, I will raise the production value of videos, but this of course takes longer to shoot and edit, this video took me three separate days to finish! Hard work but seems like most like it ;)
Why would you choose this lens over the Panasonic 100-400, the Olympus PRO 300mm prime, or the upcoming PRO 150-400 f4.5? Just because of cost or something else?
Thanks Victor! yes it's an awesome lens, with the new firmware update for EM1X, Mark III and II and E-M5 III, they will all benefit improved IS performance from this lens too (Olympus just updated the firmware)
@@grahamfloyd3451 the 300mm Pro pricing is out of my budget plus i prefer the flexibility of tele lens for birding. I'm currently using the PL100-300mm ii and I've definitely considered the PL100-400mm before. Comparing with the new Oly 100-400mm, the Oly will be my choice for upgrade as it can pair with MC20 to give me even more reach unlike the PL100-400mm. 😂
UPDATE: I just pulled the plug and bought the 100-400, I have to wait til the end of December, but then I got this for my critter shooting in the spring. I have the Spider Holster setup, one EM1X with the 40-150 Pro on one hip, and now I will have the other EM1X and the 100-400 on the other hip :)
Awesome videos Jimmy. I have a 40-150mm with teleconverter (80-300mm) pro and love it. I also have a Panasonic Leica 100-400 and is awesome as well. Keep up the great videos
Thanks for the review! So if I'm looking for a long telephoto to use for Astrophotography - would you recommend this lens or the 300mm f/4. I'm going back and forth. Definitely want to make sure I have the best image quality. I know the 100-400 has the better reach, but know that the 300 has the better IQ. Also concerned that although the 100-400 can use the TCs, the loss of stops kinda makes their use rather limited, not as true with the 300. Your comments would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Mathew, Astrophotography requires light and brighter the better. I am not a specialist as such but you are right regarding IQ and light using TC's. So you are better off using 300mm pro. However, my experience tells me that not many use tele lenses for astrophotography.
@@Red35Photography - Thanks for the quicky reply Jimmy. I was hoping to use this lens for deep space astrophotography (Nebula's, Galaxies, etc) not milky way. I have the 12mm 2.0 prime for that and it works very well. Love your Channel!
@@MrReadboy it's pretty easy to tell who made a lens based on who files for the patent. Olympus has patents on most of their 1.8 primes, but Sigma has the patents on the 1.2 primes, the 75mm f/1.8, the 8mm f/1.8, and more. Their collaboration dates back at least as far as the original Four Thirds (not Micro) 75-300mm. This is nothing unusual, though - the Olympus XZ-2 and Pentax MX-1 have lenses with identical specifications that also physically look identical, and were likely made by Tamron, as they were the leader in compact camera lens design. Tokina makes several lenses that they sell in Canon and Nikon mount, but not in Pentax mount - because Pentax sells those lenses with their own name on them. At least one of them was also sold as a Samsung. If you're using an Olympus camera right now, it has a sensor from Sony, an LCD screen from Sony or Samsung, an EVF from Epson... If you have a flash, it was likely made by Panasonic... companies in Japan have been licensing and buying components from other companies for decades. The name printed on the outside doesn't matter much. For years, Leica film cameras were made by Minolta, their digital cameras were made by Fuji, and now by Panasonic...
If Olympus can knock this stuff out as good as you say for £1099 why are they selling? I said that I wouldn’t buy anymore Olympus gear until I was sure what was going on but now I want that new zoom.
The optical formula seems to be almost identical to the 2017 model of the Sigma 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 for DSLRs. The auto-focus and stabilization are probably improved for the Olympus version. It would have been interesting to test this Olympus lens against the Sigma version with adapter that supports auto-focus. And it would of cause also be interesting to do a comparing of this Olympus lens with the Panasonic Leica 100-400.
Thanks for watching. I seem to see many are arguing about the Olympus being the re-branded version of an older Sigma lens. I do not want to get into a debate and this is something that I can't answer or deny. All I know and care about is that it works fantastically well with OMD bodies and it's released as an Olympus lens. Some have gone as far as comparing to lens design pictures which I find pointless. Many lens designs have similar formulas and from a design perspective, that they can look like clones or rebrands. But are they? No one knows unless the company says it or proven. However, from the performance point, I've tried many adapters and none will give me fast AF or even middle useable CAF on both video or photos. There's a comparison online comparing the two Olympus and Panasonic Leica lenses. Olympus seem to win in most categories.
@@Red35Photography Yes, I just saw the comparing of the Olympus and Panasonic lenses. The Olympus is better wide open, and when you stop them down to f/8, they are more similar. I have an E-M5ii now and I would probably have waited and bought this Olympus lens if I had found a deal where I could get the Panasonic new for €920 last year. I think I will be OK with the Panasonic lens for now. It is more important for me to take photos and enjoy the beauty of nature while you are out walking, and there are a lot of opportunity for that here in Iceland.
Nice one Jimmy. I'm more likely to get MC-20 for my 40-150 than invest in an even bigger, heavier lens, especially given its length extends. At 300mm I'd have more light, but how would image quality compare?
@@pauls8675 Sure it won't be worse, but maybe no better. The 40-150 f2.8 is already at (maybe beyond) my own sensible size/weight limit. Regardless the 40-150 + TC helps me cover wildlife & (minus TC) my low light gig photography. The lure of extra length is strong though... 😆
I will be talking about this in my next video, but instead of comparing 300 vs 100-400, I will be talking abut 40-150 2.8 vs 100-400 because they sell for the same money (at least RRP) hope it will be useful for some.
Great video as usual Jimmy. Could you confirm something you mentioned when using the MC20 with this lens. Does it really move to f/13 @ 400mm? Thank you.
Mike Walker Well, it’s the basic change in teleconverters. F/13 is what you will have at maximum zoom, with MC20, that’s 800mm (not 400), if that makes sense. Because you are already at 400mm (when you turn the zoom ring to 200mm with MC20 attached). It’s more complicated when you think about defraction, since without MC14/20, and just the lens, defraction kicks in at around f/11 but when using teleconverter, technically you don’t get defraction when shooting wide open, in MC20 case, f/13. You will start getting defraction at around f/22 ish.
@@Red35Photography - Many thanks Jimmy. This surely makes the lens difficult to use (I think you mentioned this), with the MC20 at 800mm unless you are in bright sunlight and you boost the ISO to very high levels for freezing movement? That said, I'm finding the em1 mk3 coupled with Topaz de-noise is eliminating any concerns over noise and 400mm @ f/6.3 and 560mm (MC14) @ f/9 ish (am I right on f/9?) that could be usable. I would like the PRO version when it's released but I think its going to be too much money and too heavy for this retired, ageing togger.
@@mikewalker3800 It's more human issues when it goes to that kind of focal length!! haha but even with my 'non pro bird' photography experience and managed a few good shots, with them and learn more about the lens, I am pretty sure it can be much greater than I can currently achieve. Some of the shots you saw in my video were shot with ISO1600 and they seemed to be fine.
@@sdhute A little later, unfortunately Olympus UK only just received the samples last week so I won't get to test and review until next week the earliest. Therefore, I won't be able to release a video until it's in my hand. Unlike this lens, which I've had it for over a month.
Hi Jimmy, great video, informative and entertaining at the same time (I did not expect any less from you...). I seem to have missed it, but what is the price tag for this lens?
It does from my test, though there are some online report saying it doesn't but I manage to get it to work, I've also tested independently with lens IS only and body IBIS and together.
Hi Jimmy, as always a good light video. One thing and this is not aimed at you ....... For a lens that is clearly aimed at the outdoors ...... IPX 1 !!!!! ...... really that is water drops only if they hit the lens vertically with no deviation. I know this is not a pro version but that is pretty poor to be honest. That said I will still most likely buy one because I am weak
m1 miii and m1x are also only ipx certified. In the case of Olympus, it's a bit more than ipx. No other brand speaks of any certification. Marketing. Olympus proudly talks about the seals in its cameras. Ipx in Olympus vs no certificate in other brand
I enjoy your videos, but does it make sense to keep investing in Olympus, as the brand's future is very uncertain after they are soon taken over by another company? Finally continue with all the great videos!
Thanks Jess, yes, in my mind, camera can't die just like that and it will give you years of enjoyment. Olympus is fine and their roadmap is pretty clear that there are still tons to be released over the next few years. The new company is committed and we should hear more next month once the contract is signed between Olympus and JIP.
You can always get used lenses instead and then they don't depreciate much, so if oly stop releasing new or decent bodies you can sell them all for a similar amount. I don't think oly will disappear though, bigger question is maybe will they still have the R&D to keep up pace with others.
@@giac01 The pace of development in digital imaging has been slowing as you'd expect for all mature technologies. Big leaps can now only come from disruptive new tech.
@@MrReadboy Yeah on a related note i've noticed all the oly fanboys now have given up and gone to this trope that it doesn't matter what gear you use, etc.
Looks like a nice lens, but no focus clutch is a deal breaker for me. Auto focus has proven to be useless in low light conditions. It may be good, but I will not buy it.
I found this and Panasonic 100-400 is love and hate because Oly has compatibility with TC-20 but Pana has wider 1 stop aperture. //Your l-plate and tripod color scheme is so match. "1600mm is telescope not lens!!!"
The biggest problem for me as the owner of the Olympus system is too much choice of lenses. Just kidding. The question is 300 f4 or 100-400. 300 f4 + mc14 is 420 5.6 vs 400 6.3. Very close, but working with the zoom is much easier. However, for me who shoots motorcycle/car races 40-150 and 100-400 + mc14 will be a great combination. But 40-150+ mc14,300 f4 will be great too. I've already rented 300 f4 4 times. I can't wait to try this lens and compare it to the 300mm. When the pandemic is gone one of these lenses will be in my hands for sure.
Nice Kamil! I like your thought. Pro lenses will also be pro lenses with better build and ultimate IQ. this 100-400 is amazing and it's definitely much better than its cheaper siblings, but still not a pro lens hahaha that will be the 150-400!
@@zhengricky5446 LOL, people have been talking about it. Well, believe all people want. I've spoken to many technical editors about this and none believe it's a rebrand, in fact, look closer to the design, the rear group (3 elements) were totally different, despite how similar they look. Also, all those 'technical' people I spoke to confirms that there are only a handful of designs for a super tele like this in the world, they look similar is not surprising. I am not here to debate with others or argue, just stating the results from my discussion with technical editors from major publications :) Image quality, just different and I don't see it inferior to PanaLeica actually, pretty much like 42.5 1.2 Nocticron and 45mm 1.2 Pro, they look different, PanaLeica looks sharpers but it's more to do with how the image was rendered. Have a look at Mathieus' on Mirrorless Lessons, he published a side by side image comparison, also Gordon Laing's video, which provide more insight on the lens' technical performances. Though Gordon did mention similarly in appearance between the Sigma and Olympus and also mentioned about the PanaLeica being brighter at 100mm and more compact in general.
t Lim agreed, the real value is with third party lenses. Sigma 100-400 is cheaper despite covering a 4x larger sensor, and the same weight. It’s a shame given apparent advantages of m43 being cheaper and lighter. Also, in some tele situations you cant always rely on that amazing ibis to gather more light ....
@@giac01 You're right, but it's like comparing the Sigma C 16 1.4 to the Olympus 17 1.2. Believe me, I do not regret getting rid of Sigma after 2 days and paid 2.5 times more for olympus. LaCa and af speed and accuracy killed me. On the other hand, I still have a Sigme 56 1.4, which is better than 16 mm, but it lacks a decent seal, manual focus clutch, the af is slower, sometimeses innacurate, especially in worse lighting, and face detection is not as effective, fully open is also not as sharp as olympus, but the difference here is not as great. The colors of Olympus lenses are identical. For Sigma, I have to use my profiles so that the images from Sigma and Olympos match together. 100, 400, f5 and f4 are just numbers. There are many other aspects to compare the lenses.
@@kamilrakowski23 I wasn't saying every sigma lens is better than every olympus lens (otherwise you could point to DXOMARK where plenty of M43 lenses will get you just 5 megapixels of actual resolution). Just pointing out that olympus is selling lenses now at full frame prices and weight, just wondering how much of a market there will be.
MFT's only advantage would be size/weight. This lens IS already diffraction-limited while being as dark or slow as the Sigma and Tamron 100-400 which are Full frame lenses and cost as little as HALF (Tamron) of the Olympus. MFT drove itself into a corner of hardly having any advantage left. If I had the need for a 100-400 on MFT, I could buy the Panasonic "Leica" for a while (actually, I did). Other than niches, MFT was never able to grew beyond its two main supporters, so I do not get why they do not try to complement each other to keep their ecosystem alive. This lens is a product of a stupid product management decision.
Frank Baumgart Thanks for watching first and I respect your opinion. I would disagree, yes, if you are simply looking at a lens with its numbers on the barrel, but Sigma and Tamron aren’t native and while it may be adapted to MFT via smart adapter but they are slow and not useable unless SAF only, I’ve tried some and none can work well in CAF, let alone tracking moving subjects. Another point is, try to find a 200-800mm lens on full frame. They will cost 5k plus if not more and will be double the weight and size. It’s still in line with MFT as being compact. A 25mm lens is a 25mm lens, a 100mm is 100mm, regardless of format. But they act and behave differently nonetheless.
@@Red35Photography Yes, a "100-400" is a "100-400" mm regardless of sensor size and I did not want to suggest using any setup that requires the use of an adapter which I agree is not a good solution especially across systems. Before I shed the money for a MFT zoom of this size and cost though I would seriosly consider looking into other sensor format options. Any APS-C Nikon/Canon/Sony with 24 MP nets you 20 MP in 16:9 format vs. 15 MP for MFT (who ever publishes in 4:3?). That leaves some room for cropping that gets so close to an 800 mm equivalent with same or better IQ overall and the same package weight on lower costs. If Olympus does not get to play their size and cost advantage that the smaller sensor format give they cater to a market that almost does not exist. I do not see the point of this lens nor do I see Olympus selling many of them. I would describe the "market" as: "those who own an Olympus camera and did not buy the Leicasonic because they absolutely want combined IBIS and OIS". Not a lot of folk.
@@frankb280 I own a Sony APSC camera with a 70-400G zoom lens. It's a full frame lens built to provide a full frame imaging circle. On a dense APSC sensor it's just soft at 400 and so it should be as on a Sony a7 for instance the crop mode is 10.2mpx this is the amount of detail being provided by the lens to my 24mpx sensor. My wife's Olympus EM10ii and 300mm F4 simply blows it away for detail because the 300 F4 is designed to produce a smaller imaging circle with far more dense level of detail. I would expect the same result with this lens which is why I'm here seeing if the Sony has had it's day.
@@MrReadboy Back when I used Sony, I did own the 70-400G as well and it was a good lens overall, despite getting a little softer at 400mm but very acceptably so. In comparison, the Leicasonic 100-400 on a G9 also gets a little softer on the long end which is to be expected for any tele zoom. Still, very usable to good. Nonetheless, to be fair, we would need to compare with a crop from a 80 MP full frame sensor and there is no such thing yet. Surely, lenses can be optimized for the smaller image circle of MFT and they better be, because in absolute terms, MFT is at a resolution disadvantage since quite a while. So, if anyone needs 42 MP on MFT for 8K video, other than mostly fixed focal lenses, most zooms will be diffraction limited "wide" open already. While that might still be good enough, a direct comparison to larger sensors may come out unfavorable. At last, I have adapted a tiny old Minolta 100-300D APO to MFT and was surprised to see the image quality matching that of the 100-300 (which I just borrowed, maybe the copy had been bad)
Today, I received this lens - a lens I have wanted for so long. I am so excited. Wishing you a very happy 2022.
I have this lens and it's fantastic. I've posted a video with some SOOC JPEGs.
I had several new copies of the Panasonic 100-400, and all had problems. I would not recommend that lens new or used.
I've not read one complaint about the Olympus 100-400. I regularly use it with the 1.4 teleconverter!
Just to clarify one point that I made in the video and finally confirmed with Olympus, this lens does support Sync-IS but not in 5-axis mode. I've tested this and it does work. This is to do with the technical limitation on how much the sensor movement can compensate with such narrow (3.1 degree) viewing angle at 400mm (and beyond when using teleconverters).
So if I use the body stabilization alone like the EM1X I get 7 stop instead of the lens 3 stop ? Why bother with Lens is if you can’t work with the body. Might as well get rid of it and save weight and lower the price.
@@ryantang8146 7 stops of IBIS for the EM1X and EM1 miii is only for certain focal ranges. Typically, IBIS alone has difficulty compensating for motion in super telephoto lenses. This is a limitation for all camera manufacturers that implement IBIS and is the reason why most telephoto lenses will have optical stabilization.
Jimmy, I think you need to change that comment on IS & OIS. This lens is not compatible with Sync IS, but (supposedly after FW 1.3 update) allows the lens's OIS to operate in two axes while with the camera's IBIS correction only for roll (both working independently of each other). If the OIS is turned off then the camera's 5 axis IBIS can take effect instead, though for 400mm becomes excessive with limited sensor movement possible
See FW update details.
Ver.1.3
(Aug. 04 2020)
Possible to use in-camera focus stacking mode with "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS".
Image stabilization performance when using "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS" has been improved.
* Roll compensation is available with the image stabilization function of the body, along with the pitch and yaw image stabilization function of the lens.
* The "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS" is not compatible with 5-axis Sync IS.
The 150-400mm f/4.5 will support Sync IS. The reason the 100-400mm doesn't has nothing to do with the field of view, and everything to do with the fact that it's actually made by Sigma.
I pre-ordered this great lens early September 2020 when it became available in the Netherlands. Had to wait for 6 weeks upon the delivery, but it was worth the wait. I bought it especially for aviation photography and is now "married" to my Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk.II. I just love the handling and weight of this lens and it is well stabilized as well. Next step for me would be getting myself either the Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk.IV or the Olympus OMD-EM5 Mk.III and the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-200mm.
Update: Since writing my last comment I upgradeted my camera from Olympus OMD-EM10 Mk.II, to the Olympus OMD-EM1 Mk.II. So the 100-400mm got "divorced from the EM10 and is now "married" to the EM1 Mk.II. Still having the EM10 Mk.II which now is coupled to the Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150mm Mk.II.
So far the 100-400mm in combo with the EM1 Mk.II is great. With the Em1 Mk.II it zooms really fast inC-AF. I can even use tracking function of the EM1. Anyway it is the best telezoom I ever owned.
just curious, is the 100-400mm's autofocusing speed fast? especially on the em10 mk ii as i have that body as well
i intend to get this lens to shoot birds in flight, and i was thinking of going sony (due to the animal eye af tracking being super accurate)
i have been shooting with an FD 300mm f4 and have gotten quite used to no lens IS and only MF, so i think i am skilled enough to handle this 100-400 steadily
The 100-400mm coupled to the EM10 Mk. II is, in my opinion, fast enough but if you are looking for animal eye tracing I can advice you to look for a (good secondhand) EM1X. I have the EM1 Mk. II but that lacks the animal eye tracker. The EM1 series camera bodies coupled with the 100-400MM is a lot faster then the EM10 Mk. II
The Panasonic Leica 100-400mm is available for about the same price (or less on the used market), and it has fewer compromises. It's faster at the wide end and even at 300mm, plus it's optically superior in terms of bokeh. The Panasonic lens is also more compact than this lens, and it's compatible with Panasonic's DFD autofocus system if you have a Lumix body. (I own an E-M1 II and a G85.) It's just a pity Olympus and Panasonic couldn't make their stabilization more compatible across camera bodies.
However, if you're only shooting on an Olympus body, this is a way to get optical stabilization that is compatible with in-body stabilization. Olympus is also bringing out a 150-400mm f4.5 lens in the future, but that will be quite a bit bigger and considerably more expensive.
People worried about overall carryweight can always get the Panasonic 12-32 (thirtytwo!) mm at just 70 grams. It's brilliantly sharp, produces nice colors and has completely changed my overall lens considerations - the 1.x kilos of the 100-400 doesn't bother me as much this way.
Thanks again jimmy for another enthusiastic review, good to see new products from Olympus, cheers!
Jorge Fernandez Thanks Jorge for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
Great that the converters are attachable. With the MC-14 added I noted that f6.3 becomes f8.8 which you suggest images will suffer from defraction. With the MC-20 the f5-6.3 is f10-12.6. What did you feel about the image quality with the MC-20?
Excellent... thank you, Jimmy..
You are welcome!
1. Try to use the EM-1 Mark III with x2 converter to taking 1600mm photo for the Jupiter and the Saturn.
2. Testing the stabilizability when at the 400mm side(800mm 135mm frame) as how much seconds you can doing the effection handheld photo taking. please.
it would be 800mm optically, not your 1600mm. Ask yourself, when you crop, do you "magically" get closer and the image gets more details? Same story here, the 400m with x2 converter is 800m optically, no more no less.
I would love to get one. A dream lens vor birds.
Yes indeed it is even though I am not a bird photographer but I enjoyed photographing them using this lens because I can get so close to them.
Well done bro. Love your videos.
Seem that the video was taken in a new manner, very cinematic! Thanks your introducing.Will see the 150-400mm's quality and compare, see if that is much better with the build in 1.25x converter and therefore an even longer reach.
gus ng Glad you enjoy my new style :) Yes, from now on, if time allows, I will raise the production value of videos, but this of course takes longer to shoot and edit, this video took me three separate days to finish! Hard work but seems like most like it ;)
Wow, loved this lens just from your reviews! Gonna be an awesome birding lens to have.
Why would you choose this lens over the Panasonic 100-400, the Olympus PRO 300mm prime, or the upcoming PRO 150-400 f4.5? Just because of cost or something else?
Thanks Victor! yes it's an awesome lens, with the new firmware update for EM1X, Mark III and II and E-M5 III, they will all benefit improved IS performance from this lens too (Olympus just updated the firmware)
@@grahamfloyd3451 the 300mm Pro pricing is out of my budget plus i prefer the flexibility of tele lens for birding. I'm currently using the PL100-300mm ii and I've definitely considered the PL100-400mm before. Comparing with the new Oly 100-400mm, the Oly will be my choice for upgrade as it can pair with MC20 to give me even more reach unlike the PL100-400mm. 😂
A tip: you can watch series on Flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies these days.
@Pedro Emmett yup, I've been watching on flixzone for months myself :D
UPDATE:
I just pulled the plug and bought the 100-400, I have to wait til the
end of December, but then I got this for my critter shooting in the
spring. I have the Spider Holster setup, one EM1X with the 40-150 Pro on
one hip, and now I will have the other EM1X and the 100-400 on the
other hip :)
As always a fantastic review Jimmy. This might be something to put in my bag. Stay safe mate :)
Awesome videos Jimmy. I have a 40-150mm with teleconverter (80-300mm) pro and love it. I also have a Panasonic Leica 100-400 and is awesome as well. Keep up the great videos
Cheers Kaye! Glad you enjoy this video.
Thanks for the review! So if I'm looking for a long telephoto to use for Astrophotography - would you recommend this lens or the 300mm f/4. I'm going back and forth. Definitely want to make sure I have the best image quality. I know the 100-400 has the better reach, but know that the 300 has the better IQ. Also concerned that although the 100-400 can use the TCs, the loss of stops kinda makes their use rather limited, not as true with the 300. Your comments would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Mathew, Astrophotography requires light and brighter the better. I am not a specialist as such but you are right regarding IQ and light using TC's. So you are better off using 300mm pro. However, my experience tells me that not many use tele lenses for astrophotography.
@@Red35Photography - Thanks for the quicky reply Jimmy. I was hoping to use this lens for deep space astrophotography (Nebula's, Galaxies, etc) not milky way. I have the 12mm 2.0 prime for that and it works very well. Love your Channel!
@@blackice5649 cheers mate, glad you enjoy my channel
Nice stepping up with production quality. 👍🏻
Great sharing, keep up the great work 👏👏👌
Thanks Dicky!!
Great intro about the proud history of Olympus as a lens maker... for a lens designed and made by Sigma with the Olympus logo slapped on it.
Got some proof of that assertion or just read what someone else said on the oh so trustworthy internet.
@@MrReadboy it's pretty easy to tell who made a lens based on who files for the patent. Olympus has patents on most of their 1.8 primes, but Sigma has the patents on the 1.2 primes, the 75mm f/1.8, the 8mm f/1.8, and more. Their collaboration dates back at least as far as the original Four Thirds (not Micro) 75-300mm.
This is nothing unusual, though - the Olympus XZ-2 and Pentax MX-1 have lenses with identical specifications that also physically look identical, and were likely made by Tamron, as they were the leader in compact camera lens design. Tokina makes several lenses that they sell in Canon and Nikon mount, but not in Pentax mount - because Pentax sells those lenses with their own name on them. At least one of them was also sold as a Samsung.
If you're using an Olympus camera right now, it has a sensor from Sony, an LCD screen from Sony or Samsung, an EVF from Epson... If you have a flash, it was likely made by Panasonic... companies in Japan have been licensing and buying components from other companies for decades. The name printed on the outside doesn't matter much. For years, Leica film cameras were made by Minolta, their digital cameras were made by Fuji, and now by Panasonic...
Lens long waited , shall awaiting some serious reviews on tracking speed and stabilisation
I am doing a live video tomorrow about this lens.
Great review. Thanks for sharing. Think it may be a bit heavy for the Pen f?
Thanks Keith! Yes it will be a little heavy for Pen-F but if using on tripod then it’s not too bad
@@Red35Photography got it thanks
hi, what tripod head are you using that allowed to rotate from landscape to portrait with removing it from the tripod?
If Olympus can knock this stuff out as good as you say for £1099 why are they selling? I said that I wouldn’t buy anymore Olympus gear until I was sure what was going on but now I want that new zoom.
Watching old videos, for something new I want 😅 the lens lock, does it work all the time or only at 100mm?
Only at 100mm it’s not a friction lock unlike Panaleica
@@Red35Photography well, oly is best quality on oly house 💪
I can't help but see its resemblance to the FF Sigma 100-400 DN which is smaller and cheaper.
7:10 "it has a lock button to prevent any accidental erection, and you certainly don't want to do that when you're walking around"
The optical formula seems to be almost identical to the 2017 model of the Sigma 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 for DSLRs. The auto-focus and stabilization are probably improved for the Olympus version. It would have been interesting to test this Olympus lens against the Sigma version with adapter that supports auto-focus. And it would of cause also be interesting to do a comparing of this Olympus lens with the Panasonic Leica 100-400.
Thanks for watching. I seem to see many are arguing about the Olympus being the re-branded version of an older Sigma lens. I do not want to get into a debate and this is something that I can't answer or deny. All I know and care about is that it works fantastically well with OMD bodies and it's released as an Olympus lens. Some have gone as far as comparing to lens design pictures which I find pointless. Many lens designs have similar formulas and from a design perspective, that they can look like clones or rebrands. But are they? No one knows unless the company says it or proven. However, from the performance point, I've tried many adapters and none will give me fast AF or even middle useable CAF on both video or photos. There's a comparison online comparing the two Olympus and Panasonic Leica lenses. Olympus seem to win in most categories.
@@Red35Photography Yes, I just saw the comparing of the Olympus and Panasonic lenses. The Olympus is better wide open, and when you stop them down to f/8, they are more similar. I have an E-M5ii now and I would probably have waited and bought this Olympus lens if I had found a deal where I could get the Panasonic new for €920 last year. I think I will be OK with the Panasonic lens for now. It is more important for me to take photos and enjoy the beauty of nature while you are out walking, and there are a lot of opportunity for that here in Iceland.
Great job. I would like to know any use it with the old em1? Is there any problem combine with the old em1 mk1?
Nope, no problem at all. It's fully compatible.
Hello, very nice Lens but when will the Pro lenses come out 150-400mm.
Hey Jimmy, will the dual IS work with the EM1 mark II as well, or only the mark III?
Yes Dual IS works in EM1 II too, it'll be 7 (i think) stop instead of 7.5 stop.
I heard (Robin Wong) that Dual IS wont work. The IS in the lens and body co operates but not the regular Dual IS way as in 12-100 and 300 pro.
MLZekeify It does work, just you can’t switch on and off together as a group like the others. I tested it and confirmed with Olympus UK
Nice one Jimmy. I'm more likely to get MC-20 for my 40-150 than invest in an even bigger, heavier lens, especially given its length extends.
At 300mm I'd have more light, but how would image quality compare?
My question too!
@@pauls8675 Sure it won't be worse, but maybe no better. The 40-150 f2.8 is already at (maybe beyond) my own sensible size/weight limit. Regardless the 40-150 + TC helps me cover wildlife & (minus TC) my low light gig photography. The lure of extra length is strong though... 😆
I will be talking about this in my next video, but instead of comparing 300 vs 100-400, I will be talking abut 40-150 2.8 vs 100-400 because they sell for the same money (at least RRP) hope it will be useful for some.
@@Red35Photography Sounds great. I need to find an MC20 to try.
What's the weight like compared to the 300 pro lens?
Just about the same on the hand.
@@Red35Photography Thanks for the reply...looks like I might add it to my bag
8:46 listen to what Red35 says about the 150 - 400mm. I think Red knows exactly how much bigger, heavier, and expensive that 150 - 400 will be :D
Great video as usual Jimmy. Could you confirm something you mentioned when using the MC20 with this lens. Does it really move to f/13 @ 400mm? Thank you.
Mike Walker Well, it’s the basic change in teleconverters. F/13 is what you will have at maximum zoom, with MC20, that’s 800mm (not 400), if that makes sense. Because you are already at 400mm (when you turn the zoom ring to 200mm with MC20 attached). It’s more complicated when you think about defraction, since without MC14/20, and just the lens, defraction kicks in at around f/11 but when using teleconverter, technically you don’t get defraction when shooting wide open, in MC20 case, f/13. You will start getting defraction at around f/22 ish.
@@Red35Photography - Many thanks Jimmy. This surely makes the lens difficult to use (I think you mentioned this), with the MC20 at 800mm unless you are in bright sunlight and you boost the ISO to very high levels for freezing movement? That said, I'm finding the em1 mk3 coupled with Topaz de-noise is eliminating any concerns over noise and 400mm @ f/6.3 and 560mm (MC14) @ f/9 ish (am I right on f/9?) that could be usable. I would like the PRO version when it's released but I think its going to be too much money and too heavy for this retired, ageing togger.
@@mikewalker3800 It's more human issues when it goes to that kind of focal length!! haha but even with my 'non pro bird' photography experience and managed a few good shots, with them and learn more about the lens, I am pretty sure it can be much greater than I can currently achieve. Some of the shots you saw in my video were shot with ISO1600 and they seemed to be fine.
Can I stack 20xMC20 teleconverters?
how about the next EM-10?
I will be reviewing that separately.
@@Red35Photography any idea when that review for new Olympus will be out ?
@@sdhute A little later, unfortunately Olympus UK only just received the samples last week so I won't get to test and review until next week the earliest. Therefore, I won't be able to release a video until it's in my hand. Unlike this lens, which I've had it for over a month.
How stands against the panasonic 100 300
Olympus modification on Sigma 100-400 Contemporary?
Hi Jimmy,
great video, informative and entertaining at the same time (I did not expect any less from you...).
I seem to have missed it, but what is the price tag for this lens?
Thanks Erwin, it's £1099 RRP in UK. If you are in UK, let me know, I can give you a special order code for discount :)
hello, does it support sync IS ？
It does from my test, though there are some online report saying it doesn't but I manage to get it to work, I've also tested independently with lens IS only and body IBIS and together.
Will the IS work with the camera stabilization in the GH5?
No, unfortunately, you have to either use IS on the lens or IBIS on the body.
How do you guys feel about buying Olympus gear with the state of Olympus now? Real question and not snarky.
In this price range - chill. I wouldn't buy a unicorn like the 150-400 without knowing about service and repairs in the future though..
Great job. This one may be a keeper
Cheers mate. Glad you enjoy this video!
compare with 70-300 ii ... and?
Hi Jimmy, as always a good light video. One thing and this is not aimed at you ....... For a lens that is clearly aimed at the outdoors ...... IPX 1 !!!!! ...... really that is water drops only if they hit the lens vertically with no deviation. I know this is not a pro version but that is pretty poor to be honest. That said I will still most likely buy one because I am weak
m1 miii and m1x are also only ipx certified. In the case of Olympus, it's a bit more than ipx. No other brand speaks of any certification. Marketing. Olympus proudly talks about the seals in its cameras. Ipx in Olympus vs no certificate in other brand
It was only a myth before ......Neil Armstrong's shoe size/foot print on the moon. Size 11. Thanks Olympus!
Do you spoiled the release of a new Olympus Camera in your generic, "Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark X" ;-)
200-800mm f10-12.6 amazing
I enjoy your videos, but does it make sense to keep investing in Olympus, as the brand's future is very uncertain after they are soon taken over by another company?
Finally continue with all the great videos!
Thanks Jess, yes, in my mind, camera can't die just like that and it will give you years of enjoyment. Olympus is fine and their roadmap is pretty clear that there are still tons to be released over the next few years. The new company is committed and we should hear more next month once the contract is signed between Olympus and JIP.
You can always get used lenses instead and then they don't depreciate much, so if oly stop releasing new or decent bodies you can sell them all for a similar amount. I don't think oly will disappear though, bigger question is maybe will they still have the R&D to keep up pace with others.
@@Red35Photography Thanks for the answer and it gives me some peace and faith in JIP continued production of new cameras and lenses :)
@@giac01 The pace of development in digital imaging has been slowing as you'd expect for all mature technologies. Big leaps can now only come from disruptive new tech.
@@MrReadboy Yeah on a related note i've noticed all the oly fanboys now have given up and gone to this trope that it doesn't matter what gear you use, etc.
Looks like a nice lens, but no focus clutch is a deal breaker for me. Auto focus has proven to be useless in low light conditions. It may be good, but I will not buy it.
Gerald Braun Thanks for watching and your honest opinion. Well, there’s no perfect lens or camera, only ones that suit ones needs.
I found this and Panasonic 100-400 is love and hate because Oly has compatibility with TC-20 but Pana has wider 1 stop aperture.
//Your l-plate and tripod color scheme is so match.
"1600mm is telescope not lens!!!"
LOL, yes I know what you mean mate. Yeah, I was looking at the moon and the other day with this lens and it was just amazing!
Red35 Photography I saw youtuber shot Saturn and Jupiter with Canon 800 F11+TC 2x maybe this little bazooka have better performance.
Looks like a great lens and a good price. I own the 300mm f4 so I am set and won’t be buying. For those who do I think you have a real nice lens here.
Olympus had sinc IS it would be the best camera
I'm not going to carry a tripod
Ill pass and keep my g9 100-400mm which has sinc IS
Accidental Erection, lol.😂😂😂
The biggest problem for me as the owner of the Olympus system is too much choice of lenses. Just kidding. The question is 300 f4 or 100-400. 300 f4 + mc14 is 420 5.6 vs 400 6.3. Very close, but working with the zoom is much easier. However, for me who shoots motorcycle/car races 40-150 and 100-400 + mc14 will be a great combination. But 40-150+ mc14,300 f4 will be great too. I've already rented 300 f4 4 times. I can't wait to try this lens and compare it to the 300mm. When the pandemic is gone one of these lenses will be in my hands for sure.
Nice Kamil! I like your thought. Pro lenses will also be pro lenses with better build and ultimate IQ. this 100-400 is amazing and it's definitely much better than its cheaper siblings, but still not a pro lens hahaha that will be the 150-400!
7:13
AF/mf switch to stop accidental erection, and you certainly don't want to have this while walking around. Lmfao
Anti-erection switch is a plus.
Ding it, Cheng! Quit contorting your face. Why am I the only one in this world not doing that?
Wow so big
It's a 100-400 lens haha, all 100-400 lenses look about the same regardless of brands
@@Red35Photography this lens is just the rebranded of sigma 100-400 DSLR version, which has much lower image quality than PanaLeica 100-400
@@zhengricky5446 LOL, people have been talking about it. Well, believe all people want. I've spoken to many technical editors about this and none believe it's a rebrand, in fact, look closer to the design, the rear group (3 elements) were totally different, despite how similar they look. Also, all those 'technical' people I spoke to confirms that there are only a handful of designs for a super tele like this in the world, they look similar is not surprising. I am not here to debate with others or argue, just stating the results from my discussion with technical editors from major publications :) Image quality, just different and I don't see it inferior to PanaLeica actually, pretty much like 42.5 1.2 Nocticron and 45mm 1.2 Pro, they look different, PanaLeica looks sharpers but it's more to do with how the image was rendered. Have a look at Mathieus' on Mirrorless Lessons, he published a side by side image comparison, also Gordon Laing's video, which provide more insight on the lens' technical performances. Though Gordon did mention similarly in appearance between the Sigma and Olympus and also mentioned about the PanaLeica being brighter at 100mm and more compact in general.
@@Red35Photography no problem, all I want is 4k120 from Olympus, tele-lens is not my taste
@@zhengricky5446 LOL, that I am with you!! Get me bloody 4K 60 would be a good start, also 4:2:0 10Bit Internal and 4:2:2 external!
0:48 Fortschritt durch Präzision 😂😂 Why in german?
Sigma Lens with Oly branding to bring money to Olympus bevor sell the photographic part. Thats why there is no synch IS!!! What a shame!!!
Nice lens but way too expensive. Olympus is milking its remaining customer base dry.
How much is the Canon 800mm F11 lens?
t Lim agreed, the real value is with third party lenses. Sigma 100-400 is cheaper despite covering a 4x larger sensor, and the same weight. It’s a shame given apparent advantages of m43 being cheaper and lighter. Also, in some tele situations you cant always rely on that amazing ibis to gather more light ....
@@giac01 You're right, but it's like comparing the Sigma C 16 1.4 to the Olympus 17 1.2. Believe me, I do not regret getting rid of Sigma after 2 days and paid 2.5 times more for olympus. LaCa and af speed and accuracy killed me. On the other hand, I still have a Sigme 56 1.4, which is better than 16 mm, but it lacks a decent seal, manual focus clutch, the af is slower, sometimeses innacurate, especially in worse lighting, and face detection is not as effective, fully open is also not as sharp as olympus, but the difference here is not as great. The colors of Olympus lenses are identical. For Sigma, I have to use my profiles so that the images from Sigma and Olympos match together. 100, 400, f5 and f4 are just numbers. There are many other aspects to compare the lenses.
@@kamilrakowski23 I wasn't saying every sigma lens is better than every olympus lens (otherwise you could point to DXOMARK where plenty of M43 lenses will get you just 5 megapixels of actual resolution). Just pointing out that olympus is selling lenses now at full frame prices and weight, just wondering how much of a market there will be.
@@giac01 How much does it cost to buy a Sigma 800mm lens? Oh, they don't make one???
MFT's only advantage would be size/weight. This lens IS already diffraction-limited while being as dark or slow as the Sigma and Tamron 100-400 which are Full frame lenses and cost as little as HALF (Tamron) of the Olympus. MFT drove itself into a corner of hardly having any advantage left. If I had the need for a 100-400 on MFT, I could buy the Panasonic "Leica" for a while (actually, I did). Other than niches, MFT was never able to grew beyond its two main supporters, so I do not get why they do not try to complement each other to keep their ecosystem alive. This lens is a product of a stupid product management decision.
Frank Baumgart Thanks for watching first and I respect your opinion. I would disagree, yes, if you are simply looking at a lens with its numbers on the barrel, but Sigma and Tamron aren’t native and while it may be adapted to MFT via smart adapter but they are slow and not useable unless SAF only, I’ve tried some and none can work well in CAF, let alone tracking moving subjects. Another point is, try to find a 200-800mm lens on full frame. They will cost 5k plus if not more and will be double the weight and size. It’s still in line with MFT as being compact. A 25mm lens is a 25mm lens, a 100mm is 100mm, regardless of format. But they act and behave differently nonetheless.
@@Red35Photography Yes, a "100-400" is a "100-400" mm regardless of sensor size and I did not want to suggest using any setup that requires the use of an adapter which I agree is not a good solution especially across systems. Before I shed the money for a MFT zoom of this size and cost though I would seriosly consider looking into other sensor format options. Any APS-C Nikon/Canon/Sony with 24 MP nets you 20 MP in 16:9 format vs. 15 MP for MFT (who ever publishes in 4:3?). That leaves some room for cropping that gets so close to an 800 mm equivalent with same or better IQ overall and the same package weight on lower costs. If Olympus does not get to play their size and cost advantage that the smaller sensor format give they cater to a market that almost does not exist. I do not see the point of this lens nor do I see Olympus selling many of them. I would describe the "market" as: "those who own an Olympus camera and did not buy the Leicasonic because they absolutely want combined IBIS and OIS". Not a lot of folk.
@@frankb280 I own a Sony APSC camera with a 70-400G zoom lens. It's a full frame lens built to provide a full frame imaging circle. On a dense APSC sensor it's just soft at 400 and so it should be as on a Sony a7 for instance the crop mode is 10.2mpx this is the amount of detail being provided by the lens to my 24mpx sensor. My wife's Olympus EM10ii and 300mm F4 simply blows it away for detail because the 300 F4 is designed to produce a smaller imaging circle with far more dense level of detail. I would expect the same result with this lens which is why I'm here seeing if the Sony has had it's day.
@@MrReadboy Back when I used Sony, I did own the 70-400G as well and it was a good lens overall, despite getting a little softer at 400mm but very acceptably so. In comparison, the Leicasonic 100-400 on a G9 also gets a little softer on the long end which is to be expected for any tele zoom. Still, very usable to good. Nonetheless, to be fair, we would need to compare with a crop from a 80 MP full frame sensor and there is no such thing yet. Surely, lenses can be optimized for the smaller image circle of MFT and they better be, because in absolute terms, MFT is at a resolution disadvantage since quite a while. So, if anyone needs 42 MP on MFT for 8K video, other than mostly fixed focal lenses, most zooms will be diffraction limited "wide" open already. While that might still be good enough, a direct comparison to larger sensors may come out unfavorable. At last, I have adapted a tiny old Minolta 100-300D APO to MFT and was surprised to see the image quality matching that of the 100-300 (which I just borrowed, maybe the copy had been bad)
Too wide too long too heavy.
Why tho ?
Accidental erection, don’t want any of that. And certainly not walking around.
Today, I received this lens - a lens I have wanted for so long. I am so excited. Wishing you a very happy 2022.