First look at the Olympus M.Zuiko f/1.2 Pro primes and the PEN E-PL9 mirrorless camera

Aimed squarely at the beginning photographer, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 packs a lot of punch. It contains a 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor capable of shooting 4K UHD video. The PEN E-PL9 also features 3-axis sensor shift IBIS with 121 autofocus points, 8.6fps continuous shooting and a top shutter speed of 1/16000th of a second.

We had the chance to have a look at one during The Photography Show, but what was really special were the 17mm f/1.2, 25mm f/1.2 and 45mm f/1.2 Pro prime lenses. Designed to counter the smaller sensor of Micro Four Thirds cameras and bring back a shallower depth of field, they’re a welcome addition to the MFT lens lineup.

But let’s have a quick look at the camera first. As mentioned, the PEN E-PL9 is an entry-level camera. It’s designed to get new photographers up and running and shooting away as quickly and easily as possible. It contains various automatic modes which let the camera identify the type of shot you’re trying to get. It then tries to help you get it.

The Olympus PEN E-PL9 shoots 16.1MP stills with a resolution of 4608×3456 pixels. It also shoots 4K UHD, 1080p and 720p video at up to 30 frames per second with a “high speed” mode of 120fps with a resolution of 720p. The screen also tilts downward to let you get shots from up high, or all the way below for shooting selfies. And with selfies and social sharing in mind, the PEN E-PL9 also includes WiFi and Bluetooth for transferring to your phone to easily post online.

Sensor: 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS
Stills Resolution: 4608 x 3456
Video Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (30fps)
Image stabilisation: 3-axis sensor shift IBIS
Autofocus points: 121
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
LCD: 3.0″ tilting 1040K pixel touchscreen LCD
LCD Tilt: 80° up, 180° down
Flash X-Sync speed: 1/250 (1/4000 Super FP Mode)
Fastest electronic shutter: 1/16000
Continuous shooting: 8.6fps (high) 4.8fps (low)
Microphone input: No
Flash: Built in popup + hotshoe
Wireless connectivity: Built in WiFi, Bluetooth and Eye-Fi card compatibility
Weight: 332g (0.73lbs) body only
Dimensions: 117.1 x 68 x 39mm (4.61 x 2.68 x 1.54″)

Overall, it’s a versatile and inexpensive camera that would suit any beginner coming from a smartphone to something a little more advanced. It comes either as body-only or in a kit containing the M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R Lens. It’s available now in white, black or brown.

Olympus PEN E-PL9 (white) – $599
Olympus PEN E-PL9 (black) – $599
Olympus PEN E-PL9 (brown) – $599
Olympus PEN E-PL9 + 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R (white) – $699
Olympus PEN E-PL9 + 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R (black) – $699
Olympus PEN E-PL9 + 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R (brown) – $699

Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm, 25mm and 45mm f/1.2 Pro Primes

These lenses stole the show for Olympus at this year’s The Photography Show. Nice, fast, f/1.2 Pro autofocus primes. The M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.2 Pro lens was originally announced at Photokina 2016 and came out early last year. The M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2 Pro was released in November and the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.2 Pro in January, but this was the first chance I’d had to check them out in person.

With the 2x crop, the 17mm, 25mm and 45mm lenses give the equivalent field of view to 34mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses on a “full frame” DSLRs. Pretty standard lengths for environmental and studio portraits. But the wide f/1.2 aperture allows the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor to get back some of that shallow depth of field loved so much on larger sensor cameras.

Here are the specs for all three…

M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.2 Pro

Focal Length: 17mm
Max Aperture: f/1.2
Min Aperture: f/16
Mount: Micro Four Thirds
Format: Micro Four Thirds
Minimum focus distance: 7.87″ (20cm)
Elements: 15 elements in 11 groups
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Filter Thread: 62mm
Dimensions: 2.69×3.43″ (68.2x87mm)
Weight: 13.76oz (390g)

M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.2 Pro

Focal Length: 25mm
Max Aperture: f/1.2
Min Aperture: f/16
Mount: Micro Four Thirds
Format: Micro Four Thirds
Minimum focus distance: 11.81″ (30cm)
Elements: 19 elements in 14 groups
Diaphragm Blades: 9 rounded
Filter Thread: 62mm
Dimensions: 2.76″ x 3.43″ (70 x 87mm)
Weight: 14.46oz (410g)

M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2 Pro

Focal Length: 45mm
Max Aperture: f/1.2
Min Aperture: f/16
Mount: Micro Four Thirds
Format: Micro Four Thirds
Minimum focus distance: 1.64′ (50cm)
Elements: 14 elements in 10 groups
Diaphragm Blades: 9 rounded
Filter Thread: 62mm
Dimensions: 2.86×3.34″ (70.2×84.9mm)
Weight: 14.46oz (410g)

While not inexpensive, they’re a very impressive trio of lenses that are sure to be a favourite of many Olympus shooters. All three lenses are available to buy and are shipping now.