10 Affordable Lenses for OM SYSTEM Users | 2025

Welcome to our rundown of the best affordable lenses for Olympus and OM System users. These Micro Four Thirds lenses all deliver what the system does best: enviable sharpness and impressive speeds in an incredibly compact package that is much lighter than its full-frame equivalent. 

Remember that since OM System is the reborn form of Olympus, following the company’s sale to OM Digital Solutions, all products between the two are completely compatible (i.e. you can use Olympus lenses completely interchangeably with OM System cameras and vice versa). 

Also, the Micro Four Thirds standard puts Panasonic-made lenses in play, so you may want to check out our run-down of 10 affordable lenses for Panasonic for more great options.

10 Affordable Olympus & OM System Lenses

Macro photography sometimes gets a reputation for being a costly pursuit, but this lens from Olympus is super-affordable and is packed with amazing features for shooting subjects up close. For a start, the magnification factor of the lens is an impressive 1.25x (a lens needs just 1.0x to be considered a “true” macro lens), meaning it renders subjects larger than life-size on the sensor. Couple this with an incredibly short minimum focusing distance of just 1.5cm, and you can see how capable this lens is for close-ups.

And that’s not it’s only trick. With a 60mm equivalent focal length, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f3.5 Macro also doubles up pretty well as a walk-around and street lens. True, it’s not weather-sealed so you’ll have to be careful in wet conditions, but it’s still an excellent, reliable performer in all sorts of shooting situations.

Another absolute gimme of a lens, if you’ve any interest at all in shooting portraits on your Olympus or OM System camera, picking up this lens should be your first port of call. A budget-friendly alternative to the likes of the mighty Panasonic 42.5mm f1.2 ASPH Leica DG Nocticron OIS, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.8 Digital produces a 90mm equivalent field of view. It can open up to f1.8 for shallow depth of field, with pleasing bokeh in the background. It also focuses quickly and efficiently – and unlike equivalent tele primes you’d get for other systems, it practically fits in your pocket!

This is a lens that shows off the real strengths of the Micro Four Thirds system. It’s light, it’s affordable and it produces terrific quality. Also, the silent autofocusing system means it’s a great option for movies as well as stills.

If you’re a Micro Four Thirds user, this lens is a no-brainer to pick up. It’s called a body cap lens because it is quite literally the size of a body cap – measuring just 12.8mm thick and weighing 30g – and it doesn’t cost all that much more than one either. With a 9mm fisheye perspective, this isn’t a lens you’d use for every shot, but it’s fantastic for embracing the unusual, distorted perspective of ultra-wide angles and creating unique, dynamic imagery.

The optical quality of this lens is much, much better than you’d expect from a lens of this size (and at this price), with a generous sweet spot of sharpness in the centre and only a little softness in the corners. Be aware that the aperture is fixed at f8, so you’re going to want plenty of light when you shoot with this lens.

This is the kit lens commonly shipped with OM System cameras, but if you don’t already have it, it’s worth picking up. The equivalent zoom range of 28-84mm covers most of the subjects and scenarios you’re likely to shoot day-to-day, and the light weight of the lens means it balances well on most Micro Four Thirds cameras. This is a fairly no-frills option, with no stabilisation to speak of, but it nails the basics.

While the close-focusing distance of 0.25m does put close-up photography in play, if macro is a big priority of yours, something like the 30mm macro featured above, or the 60mm macro featured below would be a better choice. The 14-42mm isn’t that kind of specialist, but is an all-rounder of a lens, and not just for stills, but for video too, thanks to its fast and near-silent focusing ability. It’s sharp, it’s fast, it’s light on its feet. At this price, what more could you want?

Micro Four Thirds users are pretty lucky to have one of the best affordable macro lenses on the market at their disposal. The OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a true macro lens with a high magnification ratio that ensures subjects are reproduced on the sensor in stunning detail. It offers crisp sharpness, with an equivalent focal length of 120mm that’s pretty much exactly what you want for macro. It’s splashproof and dustproof, meaning it’s well-suited to outdoor work, which is good news for those who love to capture images of tiny plants and insects.

Like many macro lenses, this 60mm also doubles up as a pretty credible portrait lens, with its autofocus system operating smoothly and noiselessly, and its seven-bladed circular diaphragm producing beautifully smooth bokeh. Frankly, for a lens that’s this sharp and capable, it’s absurdly good value for money, and makes for a sound investment for any OM shooter who’s all about the tiny details. 

The Micro Four Thirds crop factor means this lens is effectively a 150-600mm optic, and that puts it in some very esteemed company indeed. Ideal for wildlife and sports shooting, this broad and flexible zoom range is normally associated with lenses that weigh a great deal, and the fact that the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II enables you to get so close to the action without weighing you down is one of the great strengths of the MFT system. 

There are a few compromises made to keep the lens so small. The variable aperture goes down to F6.7 at the 300mm (600mm equivalent) end of the lens, which can make things tricky when the light levels get low. There’s also no stabilisation to speak of, so care will need to be taken to avoid blurry images from camera-shake. Ultimately though, you’re getting a pocketable 150-600mm lens at an outrageous price, and that’s tough to argue with.

This is a lens that’s been on the books for a long time, since long before Olympus was reborn as OM System. The M.Zuiko Digital 12mm f2 is a street stalwart, producing a documentary-friendly equivalent focal length of 24mm, and delivering great quality across the frame. Its optical construction consists of 11 elements in 8 groups, and it also boasts advanced multi extra-low reflection coating to deal with flare and ghosting. 

Thanks to the generous F2 aperture, the lens will allow you to keep on shooting when light gets low, and it maintains good sharpness even when used wide open. There’s a little softness and vignetting in the corners, as you’d expect, but this can add character to an image as much as anything. The silver styling of this lens is a nice touch too, and provides a welcome complement to the distinctive retro look of Olympus and OM System cameras. 

If you’re shopping for lenses on a budget, it can make sense to look at big zooms to cover several focal lengths at once. The M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm f4-5.6 II is such a lens, as with an equivalent range of 28-300mm, it qualifies as a bona fide superzoom. Being able to go from wide-angle shots to telephoto with the flick of a wrist is not nothing, and while you don’t get the same kind of sharpness you do with a set of primes, the tradeoff is ideal for travel.

Like a lot of OM System gear, this lens is comprehensively weatherproofed and will more than withstand the travails of outdoor photography and video. It benefits from up-to-date focusing tech, and its focusing is both lightning-fast and whisper-quiet. OM System has also included the lens hood with this one, so you can better control for stray and incident light.

While this is one of OM System’s PRO lenses, it still just about fits within our budget remit, and you really do get a lot for your money. A standard zoom covering an equivalent range of 24-90mm, this powerful lens has a constant aperture of F4, meaning you don’t have to trade away the tele end once the light starts to drop. It produces images with real punch: sharp, contrasty and crisp, just the way we like it. And once again, like a lot of OM System gear, it’s also got the full spectrum of weatherproofing, and can be used in inclement weather without fear.

This isn’t a close-up lens per se, but its short minimum focus distance and decent 0.25x magnification factor do put close-up photography somewhat in play, adding to the versatility of a lens that can already do quite a lot. While its focal range isn’t the broadest, it does cover the standard range that is commonly used in many disciplines, and we can confidently predict you’ll get a lot of use out of a lens that’s this broadly capable.

If you’re looking to shoot big, expansive landscapes on your Olympus or OM System camera, this is the lens to use for it. This wide zoom covers an equivalent range of 18-36mm, and produces images of brilliant clarity thanks to its premium optical construction. With two Dual Sided Aspherical (DSA) lenses used in conjunction with aspherical, Extra-low Dispersion (ED), and High Refractive (HR) glass, this lens effectively banishes distortion and aberration to produce images that deliver dazzling sharpness from edge to edge, and corner to corner. 

While the aperture is a variable type, it only goes down to F5.6 at the tele end, which means you shouldn’t have too much of a problem in low light. One thing to be aware of however, is that the lens omits OM System’s comprehensive weatherproofing, so care should be taken when using it outdoors.

FAQs

What are OM System (Olympus) lenses known for?

OM System lenses are known for their exceptional optical quality and compact design. They are highly regarded for their sharpness and portability, making them a favourite among photographers.

Are Olympus lenses compatible with OM System cameras?

Yes, Olympus lenses are fully compatible with OM System cameras. OM System is a brand created by Olympus, so the lenses designed for Olympus cameras work seamlessly with OM System cameras.

Can I use older Olympus lenses with the latest OM System cameras?

In most cases, yes. OM System cameras are designed to be compatible with older Olympus lenses, especially those with the Micro Four Thirds mount. Some may require firmware updates for full compatibility, so it's a good idea to check the manufacturer's website for a list of compatible lenses.

What is the difference between Olympus and OM System lenses?

The main difference is the branding. Olympus lenses were originally designed for Olympus cameras, while OM System lenses are designed for cameras under the OM System brand. However, they share the same Micro Four Thirds mount and high-quality optics.

Do Olympus and OM System lenses have image stabilisation?

Many Olympus and OM System lenses come with in-lens image stabilisation, which can help reduce camera shake and produce sharper images. However, the presence of image stabilisation may vary between lens models, so it's important to check the specific lens specifications.

Are there third-party lenses available for OM System cameras?

Yes, there are third-party lens manufacturers that produce lenses compatible with OM System cameras. Brands like Panasonic and Sigma offer lenses for the Micro Four Thirds mount, expanding the range of options for OM System users.

Are OM System lenses weather-sealed?

Many OM System lenses are weather-sealed, offering protection against dust and moisture. Weather-sealed lenses are particularly useful for outdoor and challenging shooting conditions, providing added durability to your gear.

Can I use Olympus or OM System lenses on other camera brands?

Olympus and OM System lenses are specifically designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, so they may not be directly compatible with other camera brands. However, with the use of adapters, you can often mount them on cameras from different manufacturers, although some features may be limited.

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