Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6 review

The Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6 is Olympus's latest all-new relationships style, declared in May 2008. It locations in the organization's 'Standard' sequence of relationships, and provides ultra-wide position ability to the more budget-conscious individual. In this respect it expenses around 15% less than the identified 'Pro' sequence Zuiko Digital ED 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5, while providing considerably broader position protection, but providing up a quit with regards to highest possible possible aperture and presenting reduced growth (most especially no water/dust sealing).

The relationships functions an amazingly lightweight and lightweight style for a wideangle zoom capability ability capability, understanding one of the advantages confident by Olympus for the Four Thirds system on its launch. This is obtained with an visual system of 13 components in 9 categories, such as an ED cup element to reduce chromatic aberration and comprehensive use of aspherical relationships locations (the front aspect part aspect element is 'Dual Incredibly Aspherical', no less). Also creating an overall look is Olympus's 'focus-by-wire' system, with no immediate specific relationship between the details concentrate team and the motor-driven inner concentrate team.

The 9-18mm's only immediate opposition in the Four Thirds system is the Sigma 10-20mm 1:4-5.6 EX DC HSM, which at enough duration of composing is rather more affordable and functions ultrasonic-type concentrating, but drops at the comprehensive end where every millimetre of primary duration problems (9mm provides an additional 5 levels position of perspective over 10mm). The Sigma will be topic of a upcoming review; for now let's see how the 9-18mm expenses in our assessments.

Use of the Panasonic L10 as Four Thirds assess body

We have selected to use the Panasonic L10 as our conventional assess system for Four Thirds relationships the way it gives the biggest figures in our amazing assessments (which we believe is most likely due to it having a relatively insufficient anti-aliasing filter); this is designed usually to offer the fairest evaluation to other manufacturers' techniques. This continues to be the situation despite the latest launch of the 12 Mp Olympus E-30 and and the Little Four-Thirds Panasonic DMC-G1, and we've therefore selected to comply with the L10 for the advantages of balance (although the distinction in evaluation to these cameras is minimal). The cases choice contains pictures taken with the Panasonic L10, Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-3 techniques.

Headline features

• Ultra-wideangle zoom range (18-36mm equivalent)
• F4-5.6 maximum aperture
• Four Thirds mount for Olympus and Panasonic DSLRs
• Fits Micro Four Thirds cameras via adaptor

Angle of view

The pictures below illustrate the focal length range (from ultra-wide to merely wide):

9mm (18mm equivalent)	18mm (36mm equivalent)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6 specifications

Street price	• US: $525 • UK: £440
Date introduced	May 2008
Maximum format size	Four Thirds
Focal length	9-18mm
35mm equivalent focal length	18-36mm
Diagonal Angle of view	100º - 62º
Maximum aperture	F4-5.6
Minimum aperture	F22
Lens Construction	• 13 elements/9 groups • 1 ED glass element • 2 aspherical elements
Number of diaphragm blades	7, rounded
Minimum focus	0.25m
Maximum magnification	0.12x
AF motor type	Micro Motor
Focus method	Internal
Image stabilization	None
Filter thread	• 72mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories*	• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood LH-75C
Weight	280 g (9.9 oz)
Dimensions	79.5 mm diameter x 73 mm length (3.1 x 2.9 in)
Lens Mount	Four Thirds

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

Original Article:www.dpreview.com