5 Micro Four Thirds Street Primes Under $200 (Mostly): Real-World Picks and Tips
George Holden made a list of good quality street primes for Micro Four Thirds that you can find around the 200-dollar mark on the used market:
1) Panasonic Lumix 25mm f1.7 (about $175 used)
– Full-frame equivalent field of view: 50mm
– Why it shines: Fast, quiet autofocus, bright aperture, and a natural perspective that suits portraits and layered street scenes.
– Depth of field feel: About like f3.4–f3.5 on full frame, which is plenty for subject separation while keeping faces fully in focus.
– Best for: Everyday walkaround, portraits on the go, shooting in mixed light.
2) Panasonic Lumix 14mm f2.5 (about $189 used)
– Full-frame equivalent field of view: 28mm
– Why it shines: Ultra-compact pancake that is quick, quiet, and perfect for travel-sized kits. Great for layered scenes and environmental storytelling.
– Depth of field feel: Roughly f5 on full frame; ideal for keeping more of the scene sharp. You can still blur backgrounds by getting your subject close and placing the background far away.
– Best for: Tight streets, immersive compositions, and low-profile shooting.
3) Olympus 17mm f2.8 (about $179 used)
– Full-frame equivalent field of view: ~35mm
– Why it shines: Featherweight pancake with a classic street perspective and genuinely good image quality for the price.
– Watch-outs: Autofocus is slower and louder than the newer 17mm f1.8. Build is simpler, too.
– Depth of field feel: Around f5.6 on full frame.
– Best for: Beginners wanting the 35mm look on a tiny lens, or anyone prioritizing pocketability over top-tier AF.
4) Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 (about $224 used — worth the stretch)
– Full-frame equivalent field of view: ~40mm
– Why it shines: Beautiful rendering, small size, and a focal length that feels intimate without being tight. Many photographers fall in love with 40mm for street.
– Watch-outs: Autofocus is on the slow and audible side, even in the newer M2 version. Still, the image quality punches well above its price.
– Depth of field feel: About f3.4 on full frame.
– Best for: Thoughtful, slower-paced street work, low light, and anyone curious about the 35 vs 40mm nuance.
5) Olympus 45mm f1.8 (about $179 used)
– Full-frame equivalent field of view: ~90mm
– Why it shines: Tack-sharp, flattering compression for candid portraits, yet tiny compared to full-frame 85mm options.
– Depth of field feel: Around f3.6 on full frame.
– Best for: Stand-off street portraits, details from a distance, and minimalist two-lens kits when paired with a 17–20mm prime.
If you want one budget-friendly prime to start, grab the Panasonic 25mm f1.7 or the compact Panasonic 14mm f2.5 depending on whether you lean portrait or wide. If you can stretch a bit above 200, the Lumix 20mm f1.7 is a gem with a uniquely versatile 40mm look. And for stealth portraits without the bulk, the Olympus 45mm f1.8 is still a tiny marvel. Try a couple of focal lengths side by side; those small differences change how you see, move, and frame on the street.