Which prime lenses offer the best value for Micro Four Thirds?

Question

Been shooting Micro Four Thirds for years mostly with the 12-40mm Pro but honestly I am getting tired of the weight and want that prime lens look for a trip to Japan next month. My budget is pretty tight though like maybe 400 bucks max for something fast. I know the Panasonic 25mm 1.7 is dirt cheap but is the 1.8 Olympus actually worth the extra cash for the build quality or am I just overthinking it? I need something sharp for street stuff at night that wont break the bank. Which prime lenses actually offer the best value for MFT right now without going into the crazy expensive Cine stuff?

Cornelius Sage · Accepted Answer

To add to the point above: I actually disagree slightly about the Sigma 30mm for a trip like this. Its a great lens, dont get me wrong, but if youre trying to escape the weight of the 12-40mm Pro, that Sigma is still kinda chunky and might feel heavy after ten miles of walking. I always worry about my neck getting tired during long travel days so I prefer staying as light as possible. Honestly, I would suggest looking at the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.8 instead. Its tiny and the image quality for the price is just insane. I took it to Kyoto a few years back and it stayed on my camera most of the time because it was so easy to carry. However, make sure to think about stabilization. If youre doing street stuff at night, I might want to consider the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f1.7 ASPH POWER OIS over the Oly version. I once had a really bad experience in Osaka where I thought I was being steady, but because I didnt have lens OIS and was using an older body, almost all my night market photos came out slightly soft. It was heart breaking when I finally saw them on my laptop. The Panasonic gives you that extra layer of safety with its internal stabilization which is nice for peace of mind. TL;DR: The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.8 is the best value for weight, but the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f1.7 ASPH POWER OIS is the safer bet for night shots to avoid blurry results.

MindfulMireille · Answer

Honestly, I would suggest checking the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f1.7 II ASPH if you want peak sharpness in a tiny package.

Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f1.7 ASPH: Cheapest option but watch out for chromatic aberration.

Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8: Faster AF and better build, but costs more. Be careful with the focus motor on the 20mm tho, it might miss some quick street shots in busy crowds.

Dread_yken · Answer

^ This. Also, be careful with non-weather sealed glass if you're hitting Japan during the rainy season. I once took a cheap prime to Osaka and a sudden drizzle almost fried my sensor. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary instead. It is significantly faster for those neon-lit night shots. Just make sure to:

account for the extra weight compared to the tiny 25mm

watch for flare when shooting street lights Ngl, that f1.4 aperture is a lifesaver when the sun goes down...