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Olympus has announced the development of a pro-level super tele-zoom lens, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro. This hefty lens will have a standard focal range of 300-800mm equiv. on Micro Four Thirds bodies, with a built-in 1.25X teleconverter increasing those numbers to 375-1000mm equiv., at the cost of 2/3-stop of light. If you want even more reach, the lens will also be compatible with Olympus’ new MC-20 2X teleconverter.
The lens will be stabilized and will work with the 5-axis IS systems built into modern Olympus cameras for extra shake reduction. As one would expect, it will be fully weather-sealed and Olympus claims it should function at temperatures as low as -10°C/+14°F.
The 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro will be available in 2020, and pricing has not yet been disclosed.
OLYMPUS ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF PRO SUPER TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS & 2x TELECONVERTER
The M.Zuiko® Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO And M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 Will Make 2000mm (35mm Equivalent) Super Telephoto Handheld Shooting Possible
CENTER VALLEY, PA., January 24, 2019 – Olympus announces the development of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO super telephoto zoom lens. This lens is compatible with the Micro Four Thirds® System standard, and features a 1.25x built-in teleconverter, covering a focal length range of 300-1000mm[1] (35mm equivalent). Also in development is the M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20. The combination of both products makes handheld super telephoto shooting possible at a 35mm equivalent focal length of 2000mm.
With these new products, Olympus will further expand its super telephoto lens lineup, maximizing the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds System, including excellent image quality, compact lightweight designs, and superior portability.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens is designed for exceptional optical performance in a compact, lightweight form, and includes dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (14°F / -10°C) design with superb handheld usability. This is the first Olympus® interchangeable lens with a built-in 1.25x teleconverter, which easily extends the focal length to the maximum of 1000mm1 (35mm equivalent). It also offers in-lens image stabilization (IS), supporting 5-Axis Sync IS[2] when operating in concert with the image stabilization of Olympus OM-D® cameras. The compact system delivers remarkable portability, and the built-in teleconverter provides convenience, making it the optimal super telephoto zoom lens for sports and bird photography. This lens has an expected availability date of 2020.
The M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 doubles the focal length of the master lens while offering outstanding portability as well as dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof (14°F / -10°C) performance. The teleconverter is compatible with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens, currently in development, as well as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO and M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO lenses. Not only does this teleconverter extend the telephoto range, but it also doubles the maximum shooting magnification of the master lens for unprecedented super telephoto macro shooting. This item has an expected availability date of summer 2019.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens expected availability date: 2020; M.Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter MC-20 expected availability date: Summer, 2019. Pricing is not available at this time.
[1] When using the built-in teleconverter. Widest aperture setting is F5.6.
[2] Further information regarding compatible models to be provided in the product press release upon official product sales announcement.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)