(UPDATED with GX1 deal). New Olympus 75-300mm lens in Stock.
For the first time the new Olympus 75-300mm lens is in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
UPDATE: The GX1 body now sells for $259 at Amazon (Click here).
More US deals:
$100 savings on the E-M5′s are back at Amazon US (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Bhphoto (Click here).
The Panasonic LX7 sells for $299 at Adorama (Click here).
G5 double lens kit for $543 at Amazon (Click here). A full overview of the Panasonic deals can be seen here.
The Panasonic LX7 sells for $299 at Adorama (Click here).
Jankoff
4 months ago |What sense does it make to have a huge lens for a lot of money on a tiny body that cannot be held properly?
I feel more than happy with Zuiko 70-300 on E-520!
bob
4 months ago |It makes perfect sense because the lens isn’t very big…especially for the focal length, OM-D is held fine for me…your issues aren’t the same as everyone else. And have you ever held one or you just mirroring other people?
Whats funny is I upgraded from a e520 to the OM-D…i’m glad I did away with that camera, solid in good light but the 3 AF points are a pain in the ass.
Ulli
4 months ago |good for you! But seriously, did you even have experience using an omd with big or heavy lenses(with or without the hld6)?
Abraham
4 months ago |Big lenses are held by the lens. It makes using the camera hand easier to make adjustments as you shoot. The 70-300 is a small lens, about the size of the redbull can… If you think that is too big… well throw the 20mm pancake on the lens and walk over to your subject
Ulli
4 months ago |you should tell that to Jankoff
Abraham
4 months ago |I am clearly not paying enough attention to where i click
Jon
4 months ago |As if using a large DSLR with the even larger 150-600MM lens would be easier to hold? Check out what it looks like to hand hold 600MM on a DSLR:
http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/stepbystep_hdr/11824494/197018/197018_original.jpg
If you’re having problems try getting the grip and since you’re using a super telephoto lens you should look at a tripod or at least a monopod.
camaman
4 months ago |Yes but look at the bicep on that guy! There the upside for ya!
Abraham
4 months ago |But only one arm…
Ulli
4 months ago |thats not a photographer but a model
Marck
4 months ago |No, that guy is Juza, a pretty famous italian naturalist photographer.
see http://www.juzaphoto.com
Ulli
4 months ago |really? he looks too handsome
JimD
4 months ago |Such is life. His sister has a beard.
Ulli
4 months ago |lol
konyvtg
4 months ago |That BS gets posted in the FT and mFT forums by the ill informed in post after post. The best FF camera compared to the best mFT camera gives a 2 stop advantage what that means is that a FF user with x2TC will give you the exact same results as mFT lens does at 2stops faster that is even if you need to make up for this by upping theISO . The problem here is the dog slow long end of this lens is F6.7 so using an F4 300 mm lens on FF with a TC will actually give you an advantage .
if you really believe the BS that the crop makes the difference then run do not stop to get a FZ200 with a 600mm f2.8. If you think that sounds stupid it is just like comparing a sensor 4 times larger with mFT .
gerry-g
4 months ago |The “Best” FF camera is in a very different as is a 600mm (equivalent to 300mm on MFT) price AND size AND weight league than this lens on an E-M5.
Very few compositions actually need the difference. There are some but empty your bank account and get somebody to carry your lenses , tripod…
Something being “better” depends upon very specific needs that most photographers don’t require.
bart
4 months ago |Indeed.
Put differently, technically better isn’t the same as ‘better suited for your use’.
Gearheads often forget this distinction due to an obsession with better spec’d equipment, while certain ‘ambassadors’ of a historic film format often forget this distinction because ignoring this is more convenient for what they are advocating.
konyvtg
4 months ago |That BS gets posted in the FT and mFT forums by the ill informed in post after post. The best FF camera compared to the best mFT camera gives a 2 stop advantage what that means is that a FF user with x2TC will give you the exact same results as mFT lens does at 2stops faster that is even if you need to make up for this by upping theISO . The problem here is the dog slow long end of this lens is F6.7 so using an F4 300 mm lens on FF with a TC will actually give you an advantage .
if you really believe the BS that the crop makes the difference then run do not stop to get a FZ200 with a 600mm f2.8. If you think that sounds stupid it is just like comparing a sensor 4 times larger with mFT .
bart
4 months ago |With all respect, your argument sounds a bit ‘stupid’ if only because that ‘full frame’ (that name is total marketing bullshit, it is 135 format, since a GH3 or E-M5 also has a ‘full frame’ sensor but a 4/3″ format one) will be much heavier, bigger and more expensive. The heavier and bigger mean that you are less likely to have it with you, and the more expensive make it less likely that people own it or will want to afford it. The best camera is the one you have with you, not the one with the best specs.
You are one of those people who does not seem to understand at all that technically better (which 135 format is, everything else being equal) is not the same as ‘better’. Better in the generic sense means more suitable, and technical considerations for that are only relevant until you reach the point of ‘good enough’. From that point on, practical considerations are much more relevant then technical considerations, because once you passed ‘good enough’, technically better is going to do exactly zero for you. What is ‘good enough’ depends on your work, and its not upto me to tell you what is ‘good enough’ for you, but neither is it upto you to decide what is ‘good enough’ for anyone else.
Hence, what you are writing is technically true, but highly theoretical, as it fails to take any kind of practical considerations into account.
Oh, and yes, that person with a m4/3 camera with 75-300 will be able to take pictures in many of the same situations where someone with that D800 and 600/4 could. Sure there are situations where the m4/3 owner couldn’t due to lack of light or such, but generally speaking (so, NOT about YOUR photography, but in general) that concerns a small fraction of the pictures. Indeed, that D800 + 600/4 owner will be able to get more shallow DOF (which isn’t an advantage really at such focal lengths usually), but that requires him having that camera and lens with him to begin with. Since 600/4 lenses are kinda huge (actually, a 600/8 is still rather huge, even a 600/11 is quite large still, and that one is totally equivalent) the likelihood of that happening is rather small.
gerry-g
4 months ago |So true! Full frame is just that where the sensor captures most of the light the lens system is able to capture. For decades, NASA used 70mm film, not 35mm. There are situations where 35mm format is insufficient.
There are many formats, thus many “full frame” dimensions. 35mm is just a remnant of one very popular (due to film cost) format that folks popularized.
If one feels 35mm sensors are a “must”, they should consider if even that size is “good enough”. Maybe they really “need” a larger format.
Specs do not imply need, need is based on the required size and quality end product produced.
narutogrey
4 months ago |Just to let people know. The lens in that picture is not an exaggeration. That is indeed the typical size for a high end 600mm lens. However, note that the large piece in the front is a lens hood, so the actual lens is somewhat smaller.
narutogrey
4 months ago |Actually, that lens is tiny! A 600mm equivalent lens on APS-C or FF cameras are humongous. If you are shooting with a 600mm setup, that is basically all most photographers will have with them because it’s heavy enough as is without adding additional lenses. With M43 lens such as this tiny olympus, you get a lens that is less than half the size of APS-C equivalent lens and almost 1/4th the size of FF equivalent lens. You can easily fit it in your compact messenger bag along with all your other lens.
When you look at pictures of the OM-D, GH3, and G5, etc…people still think that the cameras are huge, when in fact they are small. That means that the relatively large looking lens in the picture is actually pretty compact in real life.
Bob B.
4 months ago |WHAH…c’mon girls…the lens isn’t that big…especially for a 600mm equivalent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Reeee
4 months ago |Basic Photography: Support the lens with the left hand!
bousozoku
4 months ago |It’s not exactly huge, but you’ve got a good point. I prefer the Panasonic GH3 body.
I remember my OM-1N as being particularly slippery, even with the 75-150mm lens attached.
The Real Stig
4 months ago |With large lenses, the body is an afterthought and doesn’t matter. You support the lens in your left hand and the body just goes along for the ride.
Bob B.
4 months ago |As shown above the grip for the OMD would be helpful!
Anonymous
4 months ago |4/3 70-300, 127x80mm and 620g
m4/3 75-300, 117x69mm and 423g
Jankoff
4 months ago |I don’t like the OMD handling. It’s personal taste, of course, but there’s no denying the m43 70-300 is (1) almost as big and heavy as the 4/3 version; (2) expensive; (3) slower.
Yes, E-520 is with an outdated sensor. But a E-550 with the new sensor + the old 4/3 70-300 will be a killer of OMD + m43 70-300. And that’s what Oly are not heading towards, in spite of hundreds of thousands of recommendations and complaints!
Abraham
4 months ago |They had to cut corners somewhere… That is why I cant imagine them making m43rds into anything more than reportage, family, travel and other elements such as studio etc… While 43rds lenses would work very well for telephoto… and the lenses are they, they exist
The 75-300 is smaller though… But what about IQ, which one is better?
http://fourthirds-user.com/images/297/m75300_11.jpg
frtgcd
4 months ago |you are dreaming wildly that Olympus hads hundreds of thousands of FT users . There are a fraction of that amount still using FT probably a tiny fraction .Throwing those remaining users a bone in the shape of an E7 is the decent thing for Olympus to do as some of these users have spent mega bucks on high grade gear in what is a very expensive system. The vast majority of low end FT users will have already moved on to mFT , what is left are either people with several very pricey lenses that mFT cannot yet support properly, and who probably already own all the FT gear that they will ever need. Or a small band of diehard fanboys who are happy with the lower grade OLYMPUS gear they bought years ago , neither will be money maker for them..
You here some fanboys claiming that tens of thousands of FT users are champing at the bit waiting for an E7 ,the reality is that FT was a total failure and the only reason Olympus haven’t buried it is that they have not yet found a way to support the FT lenses,.The moment the do FT is dead.
Abraham
4 months ago |My god look at that rant!!
So put a number on it, how many people would buy an E-7? Because you know right? I mean you actually have in your head the correct number of active 43rds users in the whole world right now, not just on English rumor sites and gear forums 
In fact, while you are using your massive powers of intellect and comprehension… what are this weeks lottery numbers?
So mr omnipotent… how many 43rds users are there? I mean, you seem to know everything there is to know about 43rds
LOL.
bousozoku
4 months ago |micro Four-Thirds is still a casual system, even with the Panasonic GH3, until they come up with some heavy duty zoom lenses. Otherwise, you still need to use Four-Thirds or switch brands.
bart
4 months ago |The large majority of ‘low-end’ camera users isn’t buying a new camera every year, not every other year either. For that simple reason alone you are likely to be rather mistaken about the number of users of low-end 4/3 cameras.
That said, those people generally also do not own many after-market lenses, so aren’t a very interesting market for upgrade bodies really.
The potentially interesting market is those who own the slightly more advanced models and have invested in high-grade or (far far far far far less likely) super high-grade lenses.
There isn’t much on the market that can replace the 12-60 and 50-200 lenses, and the few options that do exist are seriously expensive. Those people would benefit significantly from an ‘advanced amateur’ level body capable of focusing those lenses. An E-7 might be it for some, but is likely going to be a very expensive option for them. Still cheaper however then switching systems and getting back the same optical quality and convenient ‘range’.
TheEye
4 months ago |Do I see textured plastic instead of rubber-covered zoom and focus rings?
Grey Owl
4 months ago |Looks like you do see textured plastic, just like a certain 12 to 50mm…….
TheEye
4 months ago |The textured plastic on the focusing ring closely resembles the one on my 60 mm Macro lens: cheap and chintzy to the touch and eyes, especially for any lens that costs more than a kit lens.
JimD
4 months ago |Plastic and more plastic is all your going to get unless you pay more. A lot more. You seem to have forgotten how expensive metal lenses are and even more, how heavy they are. Also lenses seat in plastic better than metal, so less likely to “wander” out of position. What makes you think the feel will improve with a different material? Even good old metal ones has different knurling some of which felt terrible and many had rubber that went sort of yuck sticky.
Better bask in the fact that kit lenses, and their after sale brothers, on all mainline cameras are very good lenses by any standard. Yes, there are better available and so there should be. But that does not detract from the fact that today’s kit lenses are very good. But like all lenses down the years will not fit all occasions even if they do fit most pockets.
Mr. Reeee
4 months ago |It depends on the lens. None of my Nikon AI-S lenses feel that way.
So, the question about this “new” lens: Is it an improvement on the older 75-300mm or it just uses cheaper manufacturing processes to cut the price to a reasonable level?
Either way, I still prefer my Panasonic 100-300mm, especially since I added a Rösch tripod mount!
Ross
4 months ago |The textered plastic, as you put it, is actually nicer in my opinion (not just in looks but feel & use too) & if that was part of the cost cutting to make it more affordable, then I think they were successful in producing a better product for a cheaper price. I doubt that would have changed the cost all that much really tough.
Actually, the earlier design was based on past PEN (F) camera/lens designs whereas the later versions of their lenses are or more like the original OM lenses (more or less) in design.
TheEye
4 months ago |“Textered” is what you but not what I wrote.
Ross
4 months ago |Ah, you caught me out there. Textured it shall be then.
We (I) really do need to keep on our toes with no editing ability. :/
m43happy
4 months ago |Good luck waiting for an E-550 release. lol This lens looks promising. How small a lens are people looking for? Apparently all focal lengths should be pancakes for these types of cameras, otherwise it’s always “too big”. lol
neonart
4 months ago |2-1000mm f.95 Pancake Lens. Must be 10 grams or less for no more than $19.
When they do that, I’m in! I’ll totally buy it.
Flash
4 months ago |I think one can almost be made, but it will be 20 grams and cost 190 dollars. Will wearing the required radiation suite be a big negative for you?
As this is digital the radiation will not muss the film, though you might have to do your post prepossessing fairly quick or you might never get to do it.
J Shin
4 months ago |Yes, my thought was that we’d need a warp drive to compress space and perception of mass. You will spend a fortune on dilithium crystals, tho’, which is where Olympus will make most of their money.
bousozoku
4 months ago |I can’t imagine micro Four-Thirds lenses being any smaller. The two I have (Panasonic 35-100mm and 45-200mm) are too small.
Ross
4 months ago |It’s going to be smaller than the ZD70-300 lens & adapter I’m using my OM-D at the moment & a heck of a lot faster in focussing too.
Garypen
4 months ago |FYI – The LX7 deal is at Amazon, as well.
Jonathan
4 months ago |Forget about lens size. Before I got the Pana 100-300 I was wielding a Soligor 75-260mm f4.5 (http://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/20097/1632_soligor75260_1.jpg) on the E-M5. The IBIS makes such focal lengths a joy to be handheld compared to anything that used to be possible before. Shots like http://downloads.weitnahbei.de/JRS-20120519-0370.jpg, without flash, down from the church’s gallery – totally unthinkable just a couple of years ago. (Or something a little more colourful at lower ISO: http://downloads.weitnahbei.de/JRS-20120505-0629.jpeg – also taken with the Soligor)
The only gripes I have is why both Panasonic and Olympus seem utterly unable to produce a lens with a constant maximum aperture of f4.5 and a frigging tripod collar, like the above mentioned Soligor that must have been produced in the frigging ’80s or so … so yeah, make it a little bigger, it’s a supertele, it’s not supposed to fit into your trouser pocket anyways.
ED
4 months ago |Admin did u post links to reviews? I must have missed it.
Bob B.
4 months ago |OK..so my understanding is that the Panasonic big gun is slightly sharper, less expensive, faster f/stop AND has OIS making it more versatile across the range of MFT bodies. So why would anyone buy this Olympus 75-300. I cannot see one reason?
Anonymous
4 months ago |I guess you talk about Pana 100-300 4-5.6. Faster, yes. Sharper, nope the Oly is sharper. Price is around the same, atleast i Europe.
digifan
4 months ago |AND theOly has faster AF.
Ross
4 months ago |BTW, the M.ZD75-300 lens in Australia has a RRP of $599 (as advised by Ante at Olympus Aust. on their own forum site), but it doesn’t seem to be advertised or announced anywhere yet at that price.
I think it’s rather dishonest of Amazon quoting $100 saving when the US RRP is $549 anyhow. There are a couple of online retailers in Australia that are doing something similar for pre-orders, but that is more from guessing (the RRP) than just blatant misleading figures for something that is already known.
ISO 1638400
4 months ago |Consumer and Fair Trading laws in Australia state that a seller cannot advertise a product on sale/promotion will save you x amount from its “normal sell price” if the seller in question has never sold the product at that quoted price. So when you see a seller advertise something like, “WAS $999 NOW $799″ or with a dramatic striketrough over the RRP price, be cautious, do some research, or politely ask the seller when did they last sell the goods at that before sale price.
This form of price deception is rampant across all retailers, especially from the big chains and electrical stores, and it is very often used by online stores. It makes consumers think they are saving a lot when they aren’t at all. But seeing that the ACCC and similar organisations in Australia are tigers that lost their teeth a long time ago, retailers and sellers continue to use these price deception tactics to good effect.
Ross
4 months ago |I’ve been buying from a good online & shopfront seller in Sydney with very good prices & service & it is buyer beware when looking online or in store, but sad that it has to be that way.
wreck
4 months ago |And also, this is still going on:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-GX1-Compact-System-Camera/dp/B00604YTFM/ref=sr_1_17?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1363044292&sr=1-17
but only in silver. just FYI.
offtheback
4 months ago |75-300 available for pre-order Amazon+Ado it appears.
wreck
4 months ago |isn’t it: “cool story, bro!”?
either way, I agree.