Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75 300mm F4 8 6 7 II Review | 54 Data compared

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II is a compact, 430g super-telephoto lens offering excellent portability, fast MSC autofocus, low distortion, and sharp images between 75mm and 150mm. The lens features a ZERO coating to reduce flare and is well-suited for daylight shooting, providing high value for its reach. However, the slow f/4.8-6.7 aperture limits low-light performance and reduces sharpness at the 300mm end, where chromatic aberration can increase. Autofocus may struggle in poor light, and the minimum focus distance of 90cm increases as the lens zooms.

The Imaging Resource review of the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II ED M.Zuiko Digital highlights it as a highly portable, budget-friendly super-telephoto zoom lens with fast, quiet autofocus (MSC) and good center sharpness, particularly at shorter focal lengths. However, the lens faces compromises, including noticeable softness and chromatic aberration at 300mm, a slow variable aperture, and a lack of weather sealing.

The M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II is a highly portable and budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens designed for Micro 4/3 camera bodies, excelling primarily in handheld bird and nature photography. The reviewer highlights several major pros, including its remarkably small, lightweight, and cost-efficient build, which makes it exceptionally easy to handle without causing physical fatigue. In terms of performance, the zoom mechanism operates smoothly, and the autofocus system delivers fast, consistent, and accurate results. Furthermore, despite common assumptions regarding variable aperture lenses, the reviewer found that it produces completely usable RAW files even when shot wide open at its maximum 300mm extension (600mm equivalent field of view) at f/6.7, eliminating the absolute necessity to stop down to f/8 for acceptable sharpness. However, the lens does have distinct limitations and cons that users must accommodate. It completely lacks weatherproofing and is not built or designated as a professional-grade lens. While the RAW files yield high-quality results with standard post-processing, the lens naturally exhibits a slight inherent softness when fully extended and shot wide open. Achieving sharp images at the maximum 600mm equivalent focal...

The Olympus M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II is a highly compact and affordable super-telephoto zoom lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Offering a powerful 150-600mm full-frame equivalent focal length, it stands out for packability, being roughly the size of a soda can and significantly lighter than full-frame competitors. Key strengths include minimal image distortion, swift and silent autofocus performance (ideal for tracking animals and capturing video), and sharp results across most of the zoom range, particularly from 75mm up to the midway point. Furthermore, its advanced ZERO lens coating effectively resists ghosting and flare when shooting in strong backlight. However, the budget lens comes with several trade-offs that require good technique to overcome. Its maximum sharpness noticeably dulls at the maximum 300mm extension, and the sluggish f/4.8-6.7 aperture restricts its usefulness to well-lit outdoor environments rather than indoor spaces. The lens lacks built-in image stabilization and weather sealing, meaning users must rely heavily on a camera body with robust in-body stabilization (IBIS) and exercise caution in wet environments. It also omits a lens hood in the box and balances poorly...

The Photo Review Australia evaluation of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II lens highlights its impressive 150-600mm equivalent focal range, offering a portable, lightweight option for budget wildlife and landscape photography. Key advantages include a quiet, efficient autofocus system, minimal distortion, and effective ZERO lens coating that reduces flare. Conversely, the review notes compromises such as the slow f/4.8-6.7 maximum aperture, which demands bright light, and noticeable chromatic aberration at the telephoto end. Additionally, the lens lacks weather sealing and features a rotating, extending zoom barrel, making it best suited for cameras with robust in-body stabilization.