OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

With a staggering 1200mm equivalent reach, could this be the ultimate wildlife lens? Andy Westlake finds out

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Introduced at the start of 2024, the OM System 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS is an ultra-telephoto zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Its range is equivalent to 300-1200mm in full-frame terms, which is the longest in the MFT system. What's more, it works with the firm’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.

This lens is intended for use on OM System and Olympus cameras, and in particular the top-of-the-range OM-1 and E-M1-series models. But it can also be used with Panasonic's Lumix G cameras. Again, it'll be best suited to high-end models such as the G9II and GH7.

Weighing in at over 2kg, though, this is the heaviest lens in the Micro Four Thirds lineup. It’s also one of the most expensive, at £2,499. It should appeal to those who want a longer range than the OM System 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II (£1,299) or the Panasonic 100-400mm F4-6.3 II ASPH OIS (£1,499), but whose means don’t stretch to the OM System 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO (£6,499).

That super-long reach makes the lens ideal for small or distant subjects. It should therefore be attractive to those shooting such things as outdoor sports, wildlife, and airshows. But how does it measure up in practice?

Features

The first thing to note about the OM System 150-600mm is that it’s clearly based on the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, with the same optical formula, key features, and major specifications. OM System has, however tweaked the design to its own ends.