prime35mmdiscontinued
Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4
Olympus · 1972-2002
Part of Olympus's legendary compact OM system. Smaller and lighter than competing fast fifties while delivering excellent optical performance.
Known for
- Travel
- Street
- General photography
Considerations
- Some softness wide open
- Aperture ring at front (unusual)
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)3/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast4/5
Flare Resistance4/5
CA Control3/5
Vignetting Control3/5
Distortion Control4/5
Bokeh: Smooth, pleasant
Rendering: Clean, slightly cool
Color: Neutral to slightly cool
Versions
G.Zuiko (silver nose)
1972-1983
Silver front ring
Original version
Zuiko MC (black)
1983-2002
All black, MC designation
Later production, improved coating
Both versions are optically identical. The later MC versions have slightly improved multi-coating.
Common Issues
- Aperture ring wear
- Coating deterioration
Buying Guide
The OM system's aperture ring is at the front - takes adjustment from other systems. Check smooth operation of both rings.
Specifications
MountOlympus OM
Focal Length50mm
Max Aperturef/1.4
Min Aperturef/16
Aperture Blades8
Min Focus0.45m
Filter Size49mm
Weight230g
Optical Design
FormulaDouble Gauss
Elements7
Groups6
CoatingMulti-Coated
Pricing
£100 - £180
Typical used price
Mint: ~£250
Prices rising for OM system
Adapts To
Sony EFujifilm XMicro Four Thirds
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Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error