For some time now, OM Digitalsolution has been positioning its cameras as cameras for wildlife, macro, and landscape photography. Since my first trip to Africa in 2017, I have been involved in wildlife photography and had the opportunity to test some of the lenses. Here are the best lenses for wildlife photography.
M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
The lens was introduced in 2014 and offers exceptionally high image quality and plenty of light intensity. This is particularly useful on safaris. This is because photos are taken directly after sunrise or in the evening. The high light intensity helps you keep the sensitivity low and achieve fast shutter speeds. However, the focal length for safaris could be improved. Although you can get relatively close to the large animals with the jeeps, taking pictures of birds and other smaller animals is difficult. You can compensate for this disadvantage a little with the MC-14 or MC-20. However, you also lose the advantage of the fast lens. The MC-20 turns the 40-150mm F2.8 into an 80-300mm F5.6, making the lens slower than the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 PRO at the same focal length. However, it has the advantage of flexibility because you can zoom.
M.Zukio Digital ED 300mm F4.0 PRO
With a focal length of 300mm on Micro Four Thirds, this lightweight and small lens gives you the same angle of view as a 600mm 35mm lens. This is a trendy focal length on safaris and in wildlife photography. As mentioned, you have one f-stop better than the 40-150mm F2.8 with a 2x teleconverter. The optical quality is also better. However, it is a fixed focal length, so the lens is relatively inflexible. Only if you have two cameras, you will be happy with it on a safari. There are always times when you have to switch from a telephoto to a slightly wider angle quickly.
The lens is also compatible with the MC-14 and MC-20. With the latter, you double the focal length and can capture an angle of view of a 1200mm 35mm lens. This also makes it ideal for photographing birds.
M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 PRO
It perfectly complements the 40-150mm F2.8 and a dream lens for wildlife photography. Constant light intensity over the entire focal length range. It offers outstanding optical quality. Thanks to the integrated 1.2x converter, it is the most flexible lens in the whole Micro Four Thirds range and can be combined with the MC-14 or MC-20. If you utilize all the possibilities, you can achieve a focal length of 1920mm compared to 35mm. So, everything is optional. Despite its long reach, it is small and light.
Since the lens was launched in 2020, it has been one of my most frequently used lenses. In my article “M.Zuiko 150-400mm F4.5 lens, my first experiences” you can read my initial assessments again. In principle, nothing has changed.
Fazit Objektive für Wildlife Fotografie
You may wonder why I haven’t written about the other two telephoto zooms from OM Digitalsolution here. I haven’t used them in wildlife photography yet and therefore can’t write much about them. I think the M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5-6.3 and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5-6.3 suit wildlife photography. However, both are not Pro lenses. Therefore, you have to accept a few disadvantages in image quality and AF speed. On the other hand, these lenses are not that expensive. I believe that the combination of 40-150mm F2.8 and 150-400mm F4.5 is the best for wildlife photography. This allows me to cover the necessary focal length range very well