Zuiko versus M.Zuiko lenses

I'll take the bait...

The m in mFT may perhaps stand for "mish mosh" when it comes to any clear standards of optical and build quality. The 4/3's system of lenses was a well planned 3-tiered system of:

• SG - standard grade, non-weathersealed consumer lenses
• HG - high grade weathersealed lenses with fast zooms of f2.8-3.5 (4.0 in the 12-60)
  
• SHG - professional grade lenses of uncompromised design and quality, all exceedingly fast (constant f2.0 in all zooms but the 7-14mm f4) and sharp, albeit at greater weight and with prices beyond the pocket-books of all but the most devoted

Each level of the system was also set up to provide an expansive optical range with minimal overlap:

• SG: 9-18mm f4-5.6, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, 40-150mm f4-5.6, 70-300mm f4-5.6
  
• HG: 11-22mm f2.8-3.5, 12-60mm f2.8-4 (or 14-54mm f2.8-3.5), 50-200mm f2.8-3.5
• SHG: 7-14mm f4, 14-35mm f2.0, 35-100mm f2.0, 90-250mm f2.8

They also had their anomalies such as the "HG" 50mm f2 prime, which many justifiably consider a true SHG optic.  And there were also some wonderful primes in all classes such as the very sharp yet inexpensive 35mm f3.5 macro ($220) or the superb SHG 150mm f2 and 300mm f2.8 (if you have to ask their prices, you can't afford them ).

Here's a complete chart of the 4/3's lens system: http://asia.olympus-imaging.com/products/dslr/lenses/

Olympus' mFT lenses follow no such clearly defined standards for cost and quality. You'll find a very pedestrian lens like the $500 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 with weathersealing, yet near $1000 fast primes like the 12mm and 75mm without weathersealing or even hoods included in the price. Regarding optics, you'll find the excellent 45mm f1.8 for $400 MSRP (and often less online) or the 12mm f2 and 75mm f1.8 approaching $1000, neither of them weathersealed or including hoods.

For 4/3's users, it's a case of be careful what you wish for, a common lament a few years back being a desire for more primes. Well, now there are plenty of Olympus primes, they just can't use them!

I have a foot in both camps, with FT DSLR's and an E-M5, so I see much that's excellent in both systems of lenses, including a couple of mFT bargains in the 45mm f1.8 and 60mm f2.8 macro. I'm hoping Olympus soon comes out with the long awaited hybrid body that can take advantage of the best of both worlds.

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Sailin' Steve