Ultra Compact Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm Lens Announced

[Ben Stafford]

To complement their latest digital SLRs, the Evolt E-410 and Evolt E-510, Olympus has anounced a compact, lightweight 70-300mm super telephoto lens. A nice macro capability and compact design top off of the highlights of this new glass.

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm lens

The lens has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 140-600mm, allowing you to get pretty close to your subject. Despite the super telephoto capabilities, it can also focus on objects as close as 38 inches, allowing you to take macro shots.

The lens has maximum aperture of f4.4 at wide angle and f5.6 at telephoto. All of the lens elements are glass, and titanium is used in the construction to keep the lens lead-free.

The new 70-300mm Olympus Zuiko Digital ED lens will be available in September for an estimated retail of $399.

Olympus Evolt E-510 with 70-300mm lens

Specifications

• Lens construction: 14 elements in 10 groups, with 3 ED elements
• Angle of view: 18-4.1
• Minimum focus distance: 0.96m (in MF mode)
• Maximum image magnification: 0.5x (1.0x 35mm equivalent)
• Maximum aperture: f4.4 (70mm) - f5.6 (300mm)
• Minimum aperture: f22
• Number of blades: 9
• Filter size: 58mm
• Dimensions: 80x127mm
• Weight: 21.8 ounces

[jtom]

This is good news. I have kept Olympus out because of the lack of a cheap 300mm range lens. It doesnt fit with the E500?

Thanks

[avisitor]

Should fit with the E-500, it's four-thirds. It'll also fit the Leica 4/3 or Panasonic 4/3. That's really pretty cheap!

[Ben Stafford]

Yes, it will fit the E-500. They just worded the latest press release to continue promoting their latest cameras.

[valithor]

That's a good price for that type of lens.

[avisitor]

I'm wondering if this is a better value than the $539 135-400mm Sigma...