Best Products Camera & Video The 8 Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses of 2021 Find the perfect micro four thirds lens by Katie Dundas Writer Katie Dundas is a writer with an affinity for cameras, drones, and fitness tech. She has written for Business Insider, Travel Trend, Matador Network, and Much Better Adventures. our editorial process Twitter Katie Dundas Updated on January 10, 2020 Camera & Video Accessories Tweet Share Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The Rundown Best Overall: Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm at Amazon "An overall great choice for almost any kind of photography." Runner-Up, Best Overall: Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12mm at Amazon "While pricey, it’s a fantastic choice for a general use lens, if your budget allows." Best Budget: Olympus ED 40-150mm at Amazon "A fantastic value lens that punches well above its weight, considering its bargain price." Best Zoom: Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm at Amazon "One of the widest zoom ranges on the market, at a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-200mm." Best For Portraits: Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron at Amazon "This lens delivers beautifully smooth bokeh to make your subject really stand out." Best Prime: Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux Lens, 15MM at Amazon "Versatile and shoots well for landscapes, streetscapes, architecture, and close-ups." Best Splurge: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm at Amazon "This lens is fast, impressive, and a solid investment for your business or hobby." Best Macro: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm at Amazon "It is splash and dustproof, with a built-in auto-focus that works well for shooting or video." Best Overall: Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Buy on Panasonic.com What We Like 4K video support Versatile photography options Durable What We Don't Like A bit expensive This wide-angle zoom lens is amazing for vast landscapes or travel shots but is an overall great choice for almost any kind of photography. If you’re only after one additional lens for your micro four-thirds camera, consider the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm. It offers key features that pro or amateur photographers will appreciate, namely Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating to reduce unwanted refraction, autofocus, and image stabilization, helping to create very sharp images. It is also durable and can handle outdoor shoots well, thanks to dust and splash proofing. 4K video support creates seamless and smooth film footage. While this lens is an expensive addition to your toolkit, it’s a high-quality and rugged piece of equipment that delivers exceptional photography and video. Runner-Up, Best Overall: Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12mm f/1.4 ASPH Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy What We Like Great low-light performance 4K video compatibility What We Don't Like Expensive A bit heavy The Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12mm f/1.4 ASPH is one of the widest single focus lenses on the market, with a 12mm focal length. While pricey, it’s a fantastic choice for a general use lens, if your budget allows. The rugged construction is both splash and dustproof, making it a great general-purpose lens for indoor or outdoor use. It performs especially well in low light and is great for astrophotography, thanks to its maximum aperture of f/1.4. This lens produces sharp images at any aperture. This lens is also 4K video compatible and is one of Leica’s top lenses for micro four-thirds frames. It is a heavier lens at about 1lb and doesn’t have in-lens optical stabilization, something to consider if your camera doesn’t contain this feature. Best Budget: Olympus ED 40-150mm f,4.0-5.6 R Zoom Lens Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy What We Like Robust build quality Comparably inexpensive What We Don't Like Low maximum aperture The Olympus ED 40-150mm is a fantastic value lens that punches well above its weight, considering its bargain price. It’s a telephoto zoom that produces clear and sharp images throughout its zoom range. This lens offers autofocus (but no in-lens stabilization), and it’s very compact and light, making it a great travel companion. The maximum aperture is f/4.6, not as wide of a range as other lenses reviewed here, but the resulting high-quality photos will look like they were taken on a far more expensive lens. As you may expect from a budget option, the build of the lens is plastic, not metal, although it still feels sturdy and solid. It’s an amazing choice for a beginner or if you’re looking to try something new without splashing out on a large investment. The 8 Best Digital Cameras Under $100 of 2021 Best Zoom: Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 Pro Buy on Amazon What We Like Incredible zoom Quiet and accurate autofocus Durable What We Don't Like Low maximum aperture The Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 Pro has one of the widest zoom ranges on the market, at a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-200mm. This powerful telephoto zoom performs well across its full range, making it a versatile lens for a wide range of shooting everything from distance wildlife to sporting matches. This lens gets points for its quiet and accurate autofocus, and rugged construction capable of withstanding freezing temps, dust, and moisture. The pro even features five-axis stabilization, the best you’re likely to find in a micro four-thirds lens. The resulting images are clear, sharp, and of professional quality. With a maximum aperture of f/4, it may not have as wide of a range as you’re looking for in a lens, but it still performs well in low-light. It’s definitely a heavier lens at 1.2 lbs, but it’s one of our top choices for a micro four-thirds zoom lens. Best For Portraits: Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 Buy on Amazon What We Like Nano surface coating Image stabilization What We Don't Like Expensive If you’re after a micro four-thirds portrait lens, consider the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron. It stands out for its fast f/1.2 aperture, fantastic for both low light shots and for capturing the depth of field when photographing your subject. It focuses fast and offers high-quality Leica optics, creating beautiful, accurate images, free of distortion. This lens delivers beautifully smooth bokeh to make your subject really stand out. It features internal autofocus, image stabilization for handheld shots, and Nano Surface Coating to reduce glare and color distortion. The lens itself is durable and large but doesn’t come cheap. However, it is a top option for portraits, weddings, or close-up shots that photographers of any skill level will appreciate. The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2021 Best Prime: Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux Lens, 15MM, F1.7 ASPH Buy on Amazon What We Like Silent autofocus Versatile What We Don't Like Unwanted sun glare The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux is a great choice for a go-to, everyday lens, it’s versatile and shoots well for landscapes, streetscapes, architecture, and close-ups. The Summilux offers a unique selling point, its 35mm focal length equivalent is 30mm, halfway between the usual 28mm or 35mm. If you’re looking to try a new perspective via your focal length, check out this lens. It delivers high-speed and silent autofocus, and quickly switches between manual and auto. Aperture ranges from f/1.7 to f/16 and is adjustable via an aperture ring, although this is only compatible with Panasonic frames. Leica is known for its high-quality lenses and the Summilux doesn't disappoint. It’s a fun and effective prime lens, similar to the Norticon but at a lower price point, although users do note some issues with unwanted sun glare in certain shooting conditions. Best Splurge: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens Buy on Amazon What We Like Glare reduction Massive telephoto range What We Don't Like Heavy Expensive If you’re looking for a seriously impressive lens, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO is a fantastic splurge. This telephoto lens is an 80-300mm equivalent that would impress even the most seasoned professional photographers. It’s a solid and weather-sealed piece that delivers sharp, focused images at the full zoom range, has Olympus’s ZERO coating to reduce flare, fast internal focusing, and an aperture range from f/2.8 to f/22. Whether you’re shooting travel, landscapes, or wildlife, to name a few, this lens is fast, impressive, and a solid investment for your business or hobby. It’s a pricey and heavy lens, at approximately 1.9 lb, and it also doesn’t contain in-lens stabilization, factors to consider before purchasing. Best Macro: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm 1,2.8 Macro Buy on Amazon What We Like Excellent macro focus Great macro video options What We Don't Like Slow autofocus No stabilization If you’re in the market for a macro-micro four-thirds lens, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm is a great choice for one that performs well for macro, but it is also versatile enough for use in portraits, landscapes, or street photography. It’s a telephoto prime with a 120mm equivalent focal length. It is splash and dustproof, with a built-in auto-focus that works well for shooting or video, although users report the auto-focus can be a bit slow. Note, this lens does not contain in-lens stabilization or a lens hood. However, it’s a lightweight and fun lens that delivers beautiful details on close-ups or portraits and can easily switch from macro or traditional mode. Whether you’re new to macro or experienced, this one of the best macros on the market and it delivers exceptional images. The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2021 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit