OM System M.Zuiko OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R Review
At 190 grams, this telephoto zoom is a featherweight champion with surprisingly sharp optics, but its slow aperture limits low-light use.
Overview
This OM System 40-150mm f/4-5.6 is a classic, ultra-lightweight telephoto zoom for Micro Four Thirds. At 190 grams, it's basically a feather, and its build quality is in the 94th percentile. That means it feels way more solid than its price tag suggests. It gives you an 80-300mm full-frame equivalent reach, which is perfect for compressing landscapes or grabbing candid shots from a distance without being a burden in your bag.
Performance
Optical performance is its real strength, landing in the 79th percentile. That's impressive for a budget zoom. The one extra-low dispersion element helps keep things sharp, especially in the center. But you trade off speed. The aperture sits in the 29th percentile, so it's not great in low light, and bokeh quality is down at the 27th percentile. Don't expect creamy background blur. Autofocus is middle-of-the-road at the 47th percentile, and there's no stabilization, so you'll rely on your camera body for that.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Build quality is fantastic for the class, hitting the 94th percentile. 98th
- Optical sharpness is a high point at the 79th percentile. 94th
- It's incredibly light at just 190 grams. 90th
- The 80-300mm equivalent reach is super versatile for travel. 82th
- A 58mm filter thread is common and affordable.
Cons
- Aperture performance is weak, in the 29th percentile, limiting low-light use. 27th
- Bokeh quality is poor, scoring in the 27th percentile. 30th
- No image stabilization, which lands in the 39th percentile.
- Close-focus ability is limited, with a max magnification of just 1:6.25.
- It's not weather-sealed, which is a bummer for outdoor shooting.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 40 |
| Focal Length Max | 150 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 10 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 900 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.25 |
Value & Pricing
At around $170, this lens is all about value for reach and weight. You're paying for a durable, sharp telephoto zoom that won't weigh you down. The price is hard to beat for the focal range it covers. Just know that you're sacrificing lens speed and background rendering to hit that price point.
vs Competition
Compared to a prime like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7, you're trading a huge amount of light gathering and bokeh for zoom versatility and lighter weight. The Viltrox will be over three stops brighter, which is massive for indoor or evening shots. Against the Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro, you again lose that fast aperture for professional-looking blur, but you gain a huge amount of reach. This OM lens is for when you need to pack light and cover distance, while those primes are for when you need speed and subject separation.
| Spec | OM System M.Zuiko OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 40-150mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 190 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 422 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
If you're a Micro Four Thirds shooter who travels light and wants a reliable, sharp telephoto option without breaking the bank or your back, this lens is a no-brainer. The data shows its optical and build quality punch above its weight. But if you shoot portraits, low-light events, or really care about background blur, its slow aperture and weak bokeh scores mean you should look at a fast prime instead.