Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses for 2021

The first lens most photographers get with a camera is a standard zoom.

Starter options put emphasis on size and value, and are typically discounted when bought with along with a camera.

We recommend the Panasonic 12-32mm and Olympus 14-42mm EZ TO photographers just starting out, but you may want to move to a more capable zoom as you learn to better use your camera, and if your budget allows it.

There are reasons to upgrade your lens.

The F3.5-5.6 starters lose light when zoomed in, and aren't built as tough as premium options, many of which include weather sealing.

We like the Olympus 12-45mm F4 and 12-100mm F4 for enthusiasts.

The former is a good option if you like to work with a smaller kit, while the latter is the zoom to get if you want more zoom power without changing lenses.

Pros are more likely to be interested in a lens with an F2.8 aperture.

Olympus and Panasonic each have a good one, the 12-40mm F2.8 and 12-35mm F2.8 respectively.

They're better choices for working in dim light—at F2.8 a lens captures twice the light than at F4—and snap shots with a bit more background blur, too.

The Micro Four Thirds system also supports the fastest aperture zoom on sale today.

The Panasonic 10-25mm F1.7 is more than twice as bright as an F2.8 lens and doesn't lose light when zoomed in.

Its $1,800 price is on the high end for the system, but so is the lens.

Wide-angle lenses capture an epic, broad view of the world and are favorites for landscapes and architectural imaging.

For Micro Four Thirds, you'll want to look for lenses that cover angles wider than 12mm.

The Olympus Pro 7-14mm zoom is one of our favorite, albeit pricey, options at $1,200.

Panasonic sells its own premium wide lens with Leica-certified optics, the DG 8-18mm, for about $100 less.

If you want a wide lens that gathers more light, you'll need to look at fixed-focal length choices.

Most wide primes for the system are manual focus.

Samyang and Venus Laowa aren't household names, but cover a space where Olympus and Panasonic don't play.

There are two wide-angle primes with autofocus for the system, but they are both fish-eye optics.

The Olympus 8mm F1.8 and Panasonic 8mm F3.5 capture the entire world in front of the lens, but show it with a curved, distorted view, something you can use effectively as a creative tool.

The Micro Four Thirds system is especially appealing for photographers who use telephoto lenses.

These type have longer focal lengths, so they capture a narrower angle.

They're ideal for photographing skittish wildlife, and for getting great shots of team sports from the sidelines or stands.

These lenses come in both zoom and prime varieties.

Primes typically have brighter apertures, and work with teleconverters to extend their reach—the Olympus 300mm F4 and Panasonic 200mm F2.8 are two fine examples.

Both are aimed at enthusiasts and pros, though, with prices in the $3,000 ballpark.

Micro Four Thirds owners have access to a good selection of telephoto lenses.

If you're just starting out, the Olympus 40-150mm F4-5.6 is very affordable, but its aperture means you'll want to stick to using it in sunlight.

An F2.8 zoom is a better choice if you're looking to work indoors.

If you want better shots in dim light, and more control over depth of field, a lens like the Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 or Panasonic 35-100mm F2.8 is a better fit.

Wildlife specialists will want something longer.

The Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 supports 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, but you can get longer zooms for the system.

The Panasonic G Vario 100-300mm II is a good starting point.

It includes weather sealing and is long enough for backyard birders and tight shots of mallards at the park, for a value-priced $650.

If you want more reach, look at the Panasonic G Vario 100-400mm ($1,800) or the Olympus M.Zuiko 100-400mm ($1,500).

They're priced for more serious hobbyists.

The Olympus lens works with teleconverters, too.

Olympus has one more lens, just for the pros.

The $7,500 M.Zuiko 150-400mm F4.5 has a constant aperture, rare for such a long lens, and includes a built-in 1.25x teleconverter.

When engaged, the lens becomes a 190-500mm F5.6.

Prime lenses, those with a fixed angle of view, are typically a bit slimmer than zooms, and also gather more light.

If you love snapping family photos in typical home lighting and getting a pleasingly blurry background in the process, think about a prime.

The Micro Four Thirds system includes primes covering popular angles of view.

Both Olympus and Panasonic offer F1.8 and F1.7 lenses, many priced under $400, with relatively lightweight...

The first lens most photographers get with a camera is a standard zoom.

Starter options put emphasis on size and value, and are typically discounted when bought with along with a camera.

We recommend the Panasonic 12-32mm and Olympus 14-42mm EZ TO photographers just starting out, but you may want to move to a more capable zoom as you learn to better use your camera, and if your budget allows it.

There are reasons to upgrade your lens.

The F3.5-5.6 starters lose light when zoomed in, and aren't built as tough as premium options, many of which include weather sealing.

We like the Olympus 12-45mm F4 and 12-100mm F4 for enthusiasts.

The former is a good option if you like to work with a smaller kit, while the latter is the zoom to get if you want more zoom power without changing lenses.

Pros are more likely to be interested in a lens with an F2.8 aperture.

Olympus and Panasonic each have a good one, the 12-40mm F2.8 and 12-35mm F2.8 respectively.

They're better choices for working in dim light—at F2.8 a lens captures twice the light than at F4—and snap shots with a bit more background blur, too.

The Micro Four Thirds system also supports the fastest aperture zoom on sale today.

The Panasonic 10-25mm F1.7 is more than twice as bright as an F2.8 lens and doesn't lose light when zoomed in.

Its $1,800 price is on the high end for the system, but so is the lens.

Wide-angle lenses capture an epic, broad view of the world and are favorites for landscapes and architectural imaging.

For Micro Four Thirds, you'll want to look for lenses that cover angles wider than 12mm.

The Olympus Pro 7-14mm zoom is one of our favorite, albeit pricey, options at $1,200.

Panasonic sells its own premium wide lens with Leica-certified optics, the DG 8-18mm, for about $100 less.

If you want a wide lens that gathers more light, you'll need to look at fixed-focal length choices.

Most wide primes for the system are manual focus.

Samyang and Venus Laowa aren't household names, but cover a space where Olympus and Panasonic don't play.

There are two wide-angle primes with autofocus for the system, but they are both fish-eye optics.

The Olympus 8mm F1.8 and Panasonic 8mm F3.5 capture the entire world in front of the lens, but show it with a curved, distorted view, something you can use effectively as a creative tool.

The Micro Four Thirds system is especially appealing for photographers who use telephoto lenses.

These type have longer focal lengths, so they capture a narrower angle.

They're ideal for photographing skittish wildlife, and for getting great shots of team sports from the sidelines or stands.

These lenses come in both zoom and prime varieties.

Primes typically have brighter apertures, and work with teleconverters to extend their reach—the Olympus 300mm F4 and Panasonic 200mm F2.8 are two fine examples.

Both are aimed at enthusiasts and pros, though, with prices in the $3,000 ballpark.

Micro Four Thirds owners have access to a good selection of telephoto lenses.

If you're just starting out, the Olympus 40-150mm F4-5.6 is very affordable, but its aperture means you'll want to stick to using it in sunlight.

An F2.8 zoom is a better choice if you're looking to work indoors.

If you want better shots in dim light, and more control over depth of field, a lens like the Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 or Panasonic 35-100mm F2.8 is a better fit.

Wildlife specialists will want something longer.

The Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 supports 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, but you can get longer zooms for the system.

The Panasonic G Vario 100-300mm II is a good starting point.

It includes weather sealing and is long enough for backyard birders and tight shots of mallards at the park, for a value-priced $650.

If you want more reach, look at the Panasonic G Vario 100-400mm ($1,800) or the Olympus M.Zuiko 100-400mm ($1,500).

They're priced for more serious hobbyists.

The Olympus lens works with teleconverters, too.

Olympus has one more lens, just for the pros.

The $7,500 M.Zuiko 150-400mm F4.5 has a constant aperture, rare for such a long lens, and includes a built-in 1.25x teleconverter.

When engaged, the lens becomes a 190-500mm F5.6.

Prime lenses, those with a fixed angle of view, are typically a bit slimmer than zooms, and also gather more light.

If you love snapping family photos in typical home lighting and getting a pleasingly blurry background in the process, think about a prime.

The Micro Four Thirds system includes primes covering popular angles of view.

Both Olympus and Panasonic offer F1.8 and F1.7 lenses, many priced under $400, with relatively lightweight...