Ask any photographer what lens they reach for when they want clarity and creativity — chances are it’s something like the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 25 mm f/1.8 II. This bright, all-purpose prime captures the world with crisp sharpness and natural perspective, making it a favourite for portraits, street scenes, and everyday storytelling.
The 25 mm focal length (≈ 50 mm full-frame equivalent) mirrors the classic “normal” view of the human eye, giving your photos a natural sense of space and proportion. The wide f/1.8 aperture lets in plenty of light for handheld shooting indoors or at dusk while producing smooth, rounded bokeh that separates your subject beautifully from the background.
Inside, the optical design of 9 elements in 7 groups includes 2 aspherical and 1 ED element to reduce aberrations and maintain edge-to-edge sharpness. Colours stay vivid and realistic, helped by advanced coatings that suppress flare and ghosting even under backlit conditions.
The updated II version improves focusing speed and mechanical feel, featuring a refined Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) autofocus system that’s virtually silent — perfect for hybrid shooters capturing both stills and video. Focus is smooth, accurate, and quick, allowing you to stay fully present in the moment instead of wrestling with gear.
Despite its solid metal mount and premium glass, the lens weighs just ≈ 137 g, balancing perfectly with any OM-D or PEN body. The minimum focusing distance of 0.25 m adds flexibility for close-ups, food shots, and everyday detail work, while the 7-blade circular diaphragm ensures gentle background transitions.
Photographers love how easy it is to carry — it disappears into a jacket pocket yet delivers results that look like they came from a much larger lens. For travellers, vloggers, and creatives who prefer quality without compromise, the OM System 25 mm f/1.8 II is an essential piece of everyday kit.
