OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Olympus 45mm F1.2 PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED Lens Review

If you're shooting Micro Four Thirds and want that classic portrait look, the Olympus 45mm f/1.2 PRO is probably the lens you're dreaming about. It's an 85mm equivalent prime, which is the sweet spot for headshots and environmental portraits. With that massive f/1.2 aperture, it's built for one thing: throwing backgrounds into a creamy blur and making your subject pop. It's not a cheap lens, sitting well over a grand, but for Olympus shooters, it's the flagship portrait option. People often ask, 'is this the best portrait lens for Micro Four Thirds?' For pure subject isolation and build quality, the answer is often yes.

This lens is all about the aperture and bokeh, and it delivers. Its aperture performance is in the 96th percentile, which is elite. In practice, that f/1.2 lets in a ton of light, great for low-light portraits, and creates an extremely shallow depth of field. The bokeh quality scores in the 87th percentile, meaning the out-of-focus areas are smooth and pleasing, not busy or distracting. The autofocus is decent, landing in the 47th percentile. It's not the fastest or quietest, but for posed portrait work, it gets the job done. Just don't expect sports-level tracking.

At over $1100, the value question is tough. You're paying a premium for that f/1.2 aperture and the Olympus PRO badge. For a photographer who lives and breathes portraits and wants the ultimate shallow depth of field on Micro Four Thirds, it can be worth it. But if you're on any kind of budget, or if you need a more versatile walk-around lens, there are much cheaper alternatives that get you 80% of the way there for a fraction of the price.

The main competition comes from third-party lenses. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 (a 70mm equivalent) is a fraction of the price and offers solid performance, but it's not as bright and the bokeh isn't as refined. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is another option, offering a slightly longer perspective and good build, but again, it's an f/1.8, not an f/1.2. If you're a Panasonic shooter, the Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 is the direct competitor, with similar specs and price. The Olympus wins on pure aperture size and often has a slight edge in rendering for portraits, but the differences are subtle. For most people, the cheaper third-party lenses offer better value.

So, should you buy the Olympus 45mm f/1.2 PRO? If you're a professional portrait photographer using Olympus bodies and your clients expect that ultra-creamy, pro-level look, then yes, this is your lens. It's a specialist tool that excels at its one job. But for hobbyists, travel shooters, or anyone who needs a more flexible prime, it's hard to recommend. The price is steep, and the lack of stabilization and slower autofocus hold it back for general use. Think of it as the luxury sports car of Micro Four Thirds portrait lenses: incredibly fun and capable in the right context, but not the most practical daily driver.