Olympus Announces M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8

Nov 15, 2012– Tokyo, Japan  (Techreleased) –Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Haruo Ogawa) is pleased to announce the release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 (34mm equivalent to 35mm format), a wide-angle, single focal length lens compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard.

Optimized for snapshots, this compact lens delivers outstanding imaging performance thanks to an advanced optical system comprising nine lens elements, including three aspherical elements, that is able to capture sharp, clear images throughout the entire imaging range from the open aperture of f1.8. The autofocusing system is based on Olympus’s original MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet focusing with both movies and still images. Quick snapshot shooting is possible thanks to the Snapshot Focus mechanism, which lets you set the focus scale by sliding the focus ring towards you. The focusing point can be set to a specific distance using the focus ring. To complement its brilliant performance, a high quality metallic outer finish instills pride of ownership. Launch of this product is scheduled for the middle of December 2012.

Pricing and Launch Date

Main Features

1. A compact lens that offers high imaging performance from the open f1.8 aperture.
2. MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing.
3. Snapshot Focus mechanism that lets you shift the focusing point to a specific distance.
4. Sophisticated textured metallic finish for a stylish, classic look in a highly compact design.

Main Feature Details

1. A compact lens that offers high imaging performance from the open f1.8 aperture.

1-1. High resolution and high performance from a compact size
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 is composed of 9 lens elements in 6 groups. These elements include three aspherical lenses featuring a DSA (Dual Super Aspherical) element that corrects aberrations. This technology makes it possible to reduce the size of the lens but requires high-precision fabrication technology due to the extremely large ratio of thickness between the center and periphery. The optical system also includes an HR (High Refractive index) lens with high spherical aberration correction capability. Despite the lens’s compact design (57.5 mm max. diameter x 35.5 mm overall length with a weight of 120 grams), the balanced placement of the elements makes it possible to offer outstanding image quality with high contrast and sharpness from the open aperture of f1.8 throughout the image area.

The development and fabrication of this lens would not have been possible without expert design, measuring techniques capable of precise surface accuracy evaluation, advanced ultra-high-precision aspherical surface molding techniques, ultra-precision assembling technology, and polishing skill honed through years of experience. Only Olympus is innovative enough and experienced enough to create a lens so compact, yet so powerful.

1-2. ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating
To completely eliminate hard-to-prevent artifacts such as ghosts and flares, the lens surfaces are coated with Olympus’s special ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, which cuts the reflectance of wavelengths between 450 and 650 nm in half to ensure clear imaging performance even under unfavorable conditions, such as when shooting against the light. The ZERO coating is an application of the thin film control technology we developed for the multilayer film deposition technology for microscopes. As well as offering clear images, this technology also helps maintain the lens’s low reflectivity by preventing scratches and degradation due to the enhanced strength and durability made possible by vacuum deposition.

1-3. Large, bright f1.8 aperture that’s really effective under low light + Built-in image stabilization mechanism
Normally, it is very difficult to take blur-free pictures when shooting under dimly lit conditions without a tripod and flash. With the new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8, however, users will enjoy expanded low-light shooting capability thanks to the wide 34mm angle (35mm camera equivalent) and a large aperture of f1.8, as well as the image stabilization mechanism built into the body of all Olympus OM-D and PEN series cameras. Besides typical low-light environments such as dusk or indoors, this lens makes it possible to shoot brilliant wide-angle pictures in locations where a tripod cannot be used such as busy tourist sites or crowded streets, as well as in locations where flash use is prohibited, such as zoos, museums, and aquariums.

2. MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing.

The MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism incorporated in the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 is the fruit of advanced optical design technology developed to enable fast, quiet autofocusing with a small number of lightweight lens elements. By driving the focusing lens directly using a metallic shaft and feed screw precision-finished at the sub-micrometric order, rather than using a gear (which is what causes operating noise), the MSC ensures ultra-quite focusing.

The inner focusing system that incorporates the MSC mechanism adjusts focusing by optimally displacing only three small, lightweight lens elements. This enables smooth autofocusing with high speed and low noise. The smooth autofocusing promises comfortable, stress-free shooting of movies, as well as still images.

3. Snapshot Focus mechanism that lets you shift the focusing point to a specific distance.

The same Snapshot Focus mechanism that was highly acclaimed with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 is also incorporated in the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8. With this mechanism, sliding the focus ring towards you moves the focusing point to a specific distance, and rotating the focus ring moves the focal distance within the scale range indicated on the lens cylinder. This mechanism allows quick pan-focus shooting (in which both subject and background are in focus), enabling fun snapshot shooting.

4. Sophisticated textured metallic finish for a stylish, classic look in a highly compact design.

With a sophisticated metallic finish for a comfortable, pleasing texture with the feeling of solidity and classic look proper to a precision instrument, this lens reflects Olympus’s commitment to designing products that can be used and appreciated for years to come. Just by looking at it, you will get the sense that this is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, one that exudes high performance. Complementing the sophisticated design of the OM-D and PEN series, this lens is even more attractive when combined with a dedicated metallic lens hood and/or lens cap.

Optional Accessories

LH-48B Lens Hood

The lens hood prevents unnecessary light from entering the lens during shooting against light, as well as helping to protect the lens. The LH-48B is made of metal and adopts a high-grade design to match the lens.

LH-48B Lens Hood

LC-48B/LC-48 Metallic Lens Caps

To enhance the unity with the lens and its high-grade texture, two metallic fitting-type lens caps are available: the newly added LC-48B with “OLYMPUS” logo and the current LC-48 with “OLYMPUS PEN” logo. Both lens caps have anodized surfaces with the logo etched using diamond cutting to enhance the highness of the quality.

LC-48B Metallic Lens Cap	LC-48 Metallic Lens Cap

PRF-D46PRO Protect Filter

This thin, ultralight protect filter has a filter diameter of 46 mm and is treated with multi-coating.

PRF-D46PRO Protect Filter

VF-1 Optical Viewfinder

The VF-1 optical viewfinder, originally designed to be mounted externally on the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 pancake lens, can also be used with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8. The excellent clarity and visibility of this bright-frame optical viewfinder make shot composition fast and easy, while its attractive design complements the high-grade metallic finish of PEN series cameras.

VF-1 Optical Viewfinder	Image of VF-1 Optical Viewfinder and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 mounted on OLYMPUS PEN Lite E-PL5

Main Specifications

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F1.8