Olympus's ultrawide zoom for Micro Four Thirds offers impressive image quality plus fast and silent autofocus, in a tiny package that makes it easily the smallest lens of its type.

• +

  Exceptionally small and lightweight, Very good image quality, Fast, practically silent autofocus, Essentially no falloff/vignetting

• -

  Relatively high chromatic aberration, Corners somewhat soft wide open (but sharpen up on stopping down), Slightly plastic build for the price

This lens costs around £480 and is possibly the smallest and lightest interchangeable lens available covering this angle of view.

• +

  Compact, lightweight design, Excellent resolution at f/8 throughout the zoom range., Excellent resistance to flare and ghosting, Fast AF

• -

  Chromatic Aberrations at 18mm, Resolution towards the edge of the frame at 9mm

Those looking for a compact ultra-wide angle lens for a Micro Four Thirds system camera can't go far wrong with this lens. It does have some weaknesses, but so long as you are aware of these this lens is more than capable of delivering very good quality results.

• +

  Collapsible design, Lightweight, Fast, silent autofocus, Excellent sharpness in the centre of the frame throughout the zoom range, Low distortion, Good value compared to alternative

• -

  No lens hood supplied as standard, High CA levels towards the edges of the frame beyond 14mm, Prone to flare

Like any concept, the Four Thirds imaging system has its pros and cons. On the plus side, camera bodies and lenses tend to be very compact, but then the four/thirds aspect ratio that's in keeping with pre-widescreen viewing screens now looks dated.

Handling and features This compact ultra-wide angle zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras offers a 2x zoom range equivalent to an 18-36mm lens on a 35mm camera. It costs around £450 and sports a collapsible design.

An affordable compact ultra-wide angle lens for Four Thirds system DSLRs, giving an equivalent angle of view of an 18-36mm lens on a full-frame camera.

• +

  Compact, lightweight design, Excellent resolution at f/8 throughout the zoom range., Excellent resistance to flare and ghosting, Fast AF

• -

  Chromatic Aberrations at 18mm, Resolution towards the edge of the frame at 9mm

The Olympus M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 ED is an engineering masterpiece. It is the most compact and light-weight ultra wide angle lens that we've reviewed to date. It is easy to use despite its small size and rather unusual retractable design.

The fact, that I really had a lot of troubles to find any disadvantages for the final list is the best recommendation for this lens. I wrote these two points almost by force, these are no serious flaws, quite understandable with such a wideangle instrument.

• +

  compact, light, solid instrument,, very good quality of frame center picture,, very good quality of frame corner picture,, chromatic aberration well corrected,, slight astigmatism,, slight vignetting/ falloff,, fabulous against bright light,, autofocus efficient and quick.

• -

  chromatic aberration a bit too big for 9mm / wide open combination,, noticeable coma for longer focal lengths.

The Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6 is without doubt a very good lens indeed, especially for a relatively inexpensive ultra-wideangle zoom. It's sharp even wide open, has negligible distortion, and shows practically no vignetting.

• +

  High image quality - decently sharp from centre to corner even wide open, Extremely low distortion, Essentially no falloff/vigmetting, Small and lightweight

• -

  Moderate chromatic aberration (although not excessive for an ultra-wide)

What can you say - it is a lens hood. Fits securely on lens. I think this hood is very over priced at $25.00 and Olympus should be ashamed for not supplying the lens hood with this lens, especiaslly for a lens in this price range.

The first lens to deliver on the promise of m43 design: nice wide range while very portable. Though plastic, is has a great build. Excellent value for the price.

• +

  Versatile wide range, very portable, great quality.

• -

  No lens hood.

This is a pretty good lens for the money. I have been pleasantly surprised of the photos I have taken in the Sierra with this lens mounted on the E-PL2. The combination is small, lightweight and produces good images.

The Zuiko 9-18mm provides dramatic ultra-wide angle performance at an affordable price. The lens is compact, light and seems sturdy. Images are sharp with vivid colors.

• +

  Great at capturing wide angle images, landscapes, and even portraits with somewhat unusual angles. It is very lightweight and portable and works well with the E-520.

• -

  Perhaps not quite as sharp as some of the higher end lenses but more than acceptable for the price. Images tend to show barrell distortion at the widest angle. Sometimes difficult to use with a flash indoors at the widest end as shadows caused by on camera flash are visible.

Been looking at an ultra wide lens that didn't break the bank to compliment my 12-40. At first I was a bit sceptical that 9mm would be wide enough but this ticks the boxes. Besides I can also use my square filters with it! A must buy.

The standard m4/3 lens (14mm or at best 12mm at widest) means you are relying on stitched panoramas for many landscapes and most interiors. Both Panasonic and Olympus have excellent w/a zooms out to 7mm, but these are not only expensive but bulky - too bulky to carry 'just in case'.

• +

  Consistent Output, Lightweight, Quick Focus, Sharp Focus

Why an User Opinion after 6 Years Ownership. Because it is my most used lens (of 9), which I like very much. Like other FT lenses it is well corrected itself.

• +

  Sharp, Solid, low disortion, absolutely satisfying results

• -

  noticable Cromatic Aberration in some contidions, Autofocus slow on my MFT-Bodys (but doesn't matter for my fotography)

You can get really dramatic wide angle shots with this lens which is why I<br />purchased it - haven't used it that much yet but when needed its a great<br />lens to get everything in or stunning perspective.

• +

  Consistent Output, Durable, Easily Interchangeable, Lightweight, Quick Focus, Sharp Focus

I have had a short time to use this lens. I am very satisfied with the result so far, I have wanted a wide angle lens for some time but did not want a fish eye lens. The result so far at 9mm is good.

I have just purchased this product and have carried out some test shots. I am delighted with the results. The sharpness is incredible and the colour rendition is very good.I have attached it to my Olympus Pen E-P3 and it matches up perfectly to the camera.

• +

  Easily Interchangeable, Lightweight, Quick Focus, Sharp Focus