makes a pocketable point & shoot out of your e-pl or e-pm

nice light and slim, but optically it is a bit disappointing. It is as a m4/3 not fast enough and not really really sharp. ok it is a pancake, I do not have to expect too much. I went for the Panasonic 20 1.7 II

If you want good images, go for the Panasonic 20 1.7. But the Oly is still lighter and smaller. The girls (9y; 13y) love it. The use it on the e-pl3

I have a Panasonic 14mm f2.5

It is actually a pretty sharp piece of glass at close focus and near distances but does not resolve even as well as the 12-32 at a distance\far field.  I still use it often on the gm1 as a casual combination.  I'd give it 4 stars if you consider price.

I'm late to the party, but I'm researching 17mm lens options. These example photos, intended to show what a good lens it is, don't appear sharp at all.

I too have the Panny 20/1.7 and it is a LOT sharper. I would have bought the Olympus 17/1.8, if it were available at the time. Too expensive, though.

While compact it is far from being a good performer: slow AF, soft wide open and cheaply made.
Size is hard to beat though.

Sounds to me like Olympus should upgrade the design.

Olympus did with the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8

There also is, though larger, M.Zuiko ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO

Size is hard to beat though.

price too

Have a look at the 15 mm panaleica aka "Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7"

kodacolor wrote:

Olympus did with the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8

There also is, though larger, M.Zuiko ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO

I've owned both, but never considered one an upgrade on the other. But you are right. I wouldn't call the f/1.8 a pancake but is close enough and the added features are worth the extra length.

You're using the first ever pancake design from m43. Do try any of the others! I'm a Panasonic fan myself, and love all their offerings. You can make your pocketable p&s with the 14mm especially.

I wish the manufacturers would give even more love to us users who are obsessed with compactness.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62526062

Many M43 users don't realize that the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens can use the Olympus LC-37c automatic lens cap. That setup, together with an Olympus 9mm f/8 pancake with its built-in lens cap, makes for a tiny, featherweight kit.

This short video shows the LC-37c opening and closing on a 17mm f/2.8 lens: