Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II

Wednesday, 05 November 2008

Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II Olympus announced the launch of the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II. Developed as a successor to the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 (introduced Oct. 2003), which itself earned high praise from advanced amateur and professional users, the new ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II boasts High-Speed Imager AF support and a circular aperture mechanism for higher imaging performance. The lens is scheduled to go on sale in Japan on December 20, 2008.

Thanks to its support for High-Speed AF, the new lens can be teamed with the Olympus E-30 digital SLR camera, also announced today, enabling users to enjoy responsive AF Live View shooting, as well as the E-30's new Art Filter effects, via the camera's LCD monitor. In addition, the lens supports creative photography with a new circular aperture mechanism, excellent close-up shooting capabilities, and a full complement of other performance features.

To ensure the best possible quality and precision, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II will be manufactured at Tatsuno Plant (Kami-Ina, Nagano, Japan), which is equipped with the most advanced production technology.

Main Features

High-Speed Imager AF compatibility

The ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II supports the High-Speed Imager AF offered on Olympus E-30, E-520, and E-420 digital SLR cameras, enabling users to enjoy Live View shooting with the ease of a compact digital camera. And with the new E-30, users can even confirm the results of Art Filter effects on the LCD monitor while enjoying the convenience of AF Live View shooting.

A full complement of features to support creative photography
Circular aperture diaphragm

A circular aperture mechanism maximizes the smooth defocusing characteristics that are a key advantage of large-aperture lens design. (Mechanism is designed to offer a near-circular aperture at up to about two stops from full open.)

Closest focusing distance of 22cm throughout the zoom range

For focusing, the lens uses a floating & inner focus mechanism, with excellent imaging performance from infinity down to the minimum focusing distance. Exhibiting minimal aberration even at extremely close range, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 22cm at all focal lengths.
A versatile zoom range makes the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II an ideal choice in a wide range of shooting situations, and enables users to enjoy the apparently exaggerated perspective of wide angle shooting, with sufficient telephoto power to zoom in for close-ups of the main subject.

Splash- and Dust-proof structure

Exterior joints are sealed to assure splash- and dust-proof high enough to withstand the demands of professional use.

Dedicated digital design for high image quality

Compact size, high image quality, and f2.8 brightness were achieved by optimal arrangement of 3 aspherical lens elements and 4 cemented lens elements. The result is 'one-class-up' sharpness and contrast, with minimal distortion for superior imaging performance over the entire zoom range. Lens coatings have also been optimized to minimize ghosting and flaring even on backlit shots taken with the sun in the frame.

Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II Lens Specification


Lens Mount	all Four Thirds Standard cameras
Format	Four Thirds
Focal Lenght	14mm - 54mm (35mm equivalent focal length 28mm- 108mm)
Angle of View	75 to 23 Degree
Maximum Aperture	F2.8 Wide - F3.5 Telephoto
Minimum Aperture	F22
Optical Construction	15 Elements in 11 Groups, including 3 Aspherical Lens Elements
Number of Aperture Blades	7
Minimum Focus Distance	0.22m/8.67 inches
Maximum Magnification	0.26x (35mm equivalent Maximum Image Magnification 0.52x)
Filter Size	67mm
Weight	435g
Dimensions	73.5mm diam. x 88.5mm length