An ultra wide angle lens, for me, is not a portrait lens, nor an optimal landscape lens, but can be used as a story telling lens when wanting to have it around with the family, or for travel. Zooming and focusing are both internal, so the lens’s length and balance on the camera never changes. So while the lack of in-lens image stabilisation is a non-issue for Olympus camera owners, other manufacturers who don't offer in-camera image stabilisation, like Panansonic (except for the DMC-GX7) may want to consider a different lens. Anyway…if you and Jeff want to see sharp…get your hands on one of those new SamYang/Rokinon SP 14mm f/2. The weather sealing makes this a great field lens, and if you’re into ultra wide, sweeping landscape or architectural shooting, I think this lens could be a good fit.

As for lens flare, yeah, of course, it’s just physics that you’ll be dealing with that in a bulbous front lens — so it’s just part of the shot. I measured the focusing speed as essentially the same as the Lumix G 7-14mm f4 when both were mounted in turn onto an OMD EM1 body.It certainly appeals to a purist style of photography, but can easily automate for more contemporary applications. Zuiko 7-14mm PRO’s unique MSC (Movie-Still Compatible) mechanism, which provides swift, nearly silent autofocus operation. I admit that most of the time I was more inspired to shoot at 7mm more than any other focal length and I think this very wide value is one of the main reasons to consider it. In essence, pulling the corners in from 7% to 1% is a lot of pixel pushing in an area that is probably already struggling. At the 14mm end, the angle of view is 75°, which is the same as that of a 28mm lens on a 35mm full-frame camera.

I’d hold off on suggesting this lens as an interior performer for my use, and while the linear distortion is well corrected for, I’d just make sure whomever I discussed this lens with understood to compose with cropping in mind. Another cool feature is the Manual Focus Clutch mechanism; switch instantly between auto and manual focus by simply pulling the focus ring toward you.If you're looking for a first rate ultra-wideangle lens for your Micro Four Thirds camera, the OM System M. There are documented issues with purple fringing/CA on the Pana lens when used with the Sony sensors, but seems well corrected on the Panasonic sensors by comparison.