The Olympus D-SLR system always included a series of pro-caliber lenses targeting serious photographers working with the E-1 pro camera. Since the introduction of the newer E-3, Olympus has also unveiled three high-grade zooms, the first in the Zuiko Digital line with Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD)...

This 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD lens from Olympus covers a range equivalent to 100-400mm on a 35mm camera and costs around £1000. Besides having a relatively bright maximum aperture, it also has a silent SWD focusing motor.

Gary Wolstenholme tests the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm lens which features a relatively bright maximum aperture and also has a silent SWD focusing motor.

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  Very good to excellent resolution, Negligible levels of chromatic aberration, Fast focusing, Excellent weather resistant build, Close focusing, Low distortion

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  A petal shaped hood may give better protection against flare

Looking at the list of pros and cons of the tested Olympus and other 70-200 mm f/2.8 lenses, produced by Canon or Nikon, we see that the Olympus fares a bit worse. Is this a serious problem? I don’t think so.

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  very solid, dust/splash proof barrel,, very good picture quality at all focal and aperture range in the frame center,, good frame edge picture quality,, well corrected chromatic aberration,, low distortion,, average coma,, vignetting properly reined in,, autofocus silent and accurate.

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  noticeable astigmatism,, average work against the light,, autofocus can get lost in worse lighting.

I got one of these for about $ in very good shape and I really recomend it!This is a Sharp pro level lens:Yes, the auto-focus is not fast in an e-pl5 but when the alternative is a 40-150mm f2.8 for about 7x the price I paid for it, that becomes completely secondary.Yes it is a big heavy lens, but...

Amazing telephoto from Olympus. Lightning fast autofocus, excellent build quality. One thing I did notice is you get air that gets sucked in and out of it, (you can hear it and feel it), when you zoom in and out all the way. Most likely from some of the seals in it, and the size of the cavity.

My background : Shot Pentax (K200D, K20D), Canon 40D, Nikon D90, D300, D700, and Sony A850. Advanced amateur. I bought this lens along with the 14-54 II when I moved to Olympus and let me tell you, it's great.

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  Sharp, fast, good weight for what it is, nice tripod collar, decent macro

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  Can hunt in certain situations (blame it on the camera?), bokeh can get busy

I would put this lens in the same category as the 14-54mm in performance and build. It is weather sealed an fairly heavy. Built like a tank. It is sharp across all focal lengths. Not as sharp as my 12-60mm but in the same range as the 14-54mm.

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  Fast, sharp, build, weather sealing and great bokeh.

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  Weight

An all-around great lens, made greater on the latest micro four-thirds bodies (via adapter) with 5.5 stops of image stabilization. I never would have dreamed I could hand-hold a 400mm (equivalent) at 1/60th!

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  Sharp, fast, quick focusing, looks \"professional.\"

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  Lens hood mount is different than the older model, means you cannot use the RF-11 ring flash with it, even though the Olympus website says you can. Big and heavy for micro four-thirds use. A bit too much plastic for my taste, although sturdily done.

This product has blown my mind and has opened a lot of doors for myself and my photography. It works great with my e30 and i recommend it for any Olympus dslr user.

Wow is all I can say.... I am a novice photographer at best and love the shots this lens is capable of taking! It is the most expensive lens I own but was able to purchase it used. I highly advise if you are looking for a good lens at a reasonable price buy this one used it won't disappoint.

I bought it assuming it's a SWD version but actually it's NOT !! Apart from that lens functions as expected

Great product. Can't beat the price.

First things first. I am not a professional photographer. What I do have is 35 years experience with SLRs ranging from a Minolta 303b in the 1970s, Olympus OM2n when it first came out and a Canon F1n with associated good amateur lenses so I have a serious amateur interest that has brought a lot of...