Olympus 75-300 mkII vs Panasonic 100-300mk II

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Llewellyn

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I am trying to decide between these two lenses to go with my EM1 mk III for wild life photography. I have read the reviews and watched the videos but I am always suspicious of who is sponsoring the reviewer.

Does anyone have real life experience of using these two who can provide an impartial analysis and comparison?

Many thanks.
 
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As a long term MFT user and having spent most of the children’s inheritance on lenses over the years ,including both of these my view is Olympus lenses on Olympus bodies and the same for Panasonic.
They are fairly equal on there respective bodies but swap around and you lose some functions ..
 
the black fox said:
As a long term MFT user and having spent most of the children’s inheritance on lenses over the years ,including both of these my view is Olympus lenses on Olympus bodies and the same for Panasonic.
They are fairly equal on there respective bodies but swap around and you lose some functions ..
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I have heard that before but as they are both M4/3 lenses surely they are both designed to fit M4/3 bodies. I can understand the arguments re in body and on lens IS but you can turn on lens IS off so surely there should be no conflict. What functions would I lose?
 
Llewellyn said:
I have heard that before but as they are both M4/3 lenses surely they are both designed to fit M4/3 bodies. I can understand the arguments re in body and on lens IS but you can turn on lens IS off so surely there should be no conflict. What functions would I lose?
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They both fit the bodies, and the basic functions work, but you will lose the full dual stabilisation, possibly lens corrections and other manufacturer specific functions.

There are comparison charts that can be searched for.

I use Panasonic, and I would not like to be without the dual stabilisation, especially on the 100-400, though it also make a huge difference on the 100-300, hardly ever need a tripod.

You will never know what you are missing until you miss it :)
 
the black fox said:
...my view is Olympus lenses on Olympus bodies and the same for Panasonic.
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I'll second that.

The theory is that they are interoperable but I have used both systems together and there are niggles that can catch you out.
 
Thanks for the comments.

There is always a balance to be drawn when making a decision what to purchase. Every review I have read says that the Panasonic is much sharper at the long end. A most important factor to consider. Dual stabilization is not really a factor as Olympus lenses don’t have IS. With Panasonic lenses I believe it should be turned off when on an Olympus body. So only the Olympus IBIS is invoked and that is excellent.

As I shoot solely in raw I do not believe lens corrections is a significant issue. Post processing can resolve any issues.

As I said these are all factors to put on the scales when deciding.

Equally you will never know what you are missing if you never have it. :)
 
I have the Panasonic 100-300 mkii on em1 mk3.
I went with the Panasonic in the end based on the max aperture although I was worried about the cross company compatibility.
I use it for photographing rowing. So not the fastest sport but still I have not been let down when using focus tracking.
 
I have the 100-300 Panasonic and do find it sharper than the 75-300 which I had a while back - as a test. However I used it on an OM-1. I’ve now switched to Panasonic, and am using a 100-400 and the 100-300 - which is good, no complaints. Only OM lens I have is the macro lens (90mm I think it is) just in case.
 
I am leaning towards the Panasonic for two main reasons. First it is faster and second it is considered the sharper of the two lenses.

The EM1 has excellent IBIS so the loss of Panasonic lens IS is no big deal - at least not for me.

The downside of the Panasonic is it is quite a bit dearer.

Anyone got a good one to sell? :)
 
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Llewellyn said:
Thanks for the comments.

There is always a balance to be drawn when making a decision what to purchase. Every review I have read says that the Panasonic is much sharper at the long end. A most important factor to consider. Dual stabilization is not really a factor as Olympus lenses don’t have IS. With Panasonic lenses I believe it should be turned off when on an Olympus body. So only the Olympus IBIS is invoked and that is excellent.

As I shoot solely in raw I do not believe lens corrections is a significant issue. Post processing can resolve any issues.

As I said these are all factors to put on the scales when deciding.

Equally you will never know what you are missing if you never have it. :)
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Why bother to ask for comments from people that have owned and used both ,then totally ignore what we have said .. mine and others posts are based on user experience we have been through the cons and pros , but your going to base your decision on something you read online instead .
And btw while both are a MFT fit you might find the PL version to be to tight a fit on a Olympus throat as well
And as you state in your initial post you wish to use the lens for wildlife , the lens imho is to short for wildlife you would be far better saving a bit more and going for the Olympus 100-400 mki or mkii both of which will also take a mc.1.4 tc .
 
From my experience I think they are both very average and unless its large wildlife you photograph too limited in focal length.
Another consideration is that any weather resistance will likely be compromised between the two makes.
 
At the Black Fox.

There were varying opinions expressed on here some to go for the Olympus and some to go for the Panasonic. I have weighed up these opinions and considered them against the reviews I have read. These constructive comments were welcome. Your recent comment adds nothing to this dialogue and is neither wanted or welcome.

As I said it is a balancing act. It is my money and my decision.

Not all of us shoot wildlife in the open countryside. Some only in zoos or in our back garden. Your comment on what is suitable for me is based on a total ignorance of my needs.

As the saying goes if you have nothing positive to say then say nothing.

Welcome to my Blacklist
 
And your now on mine , fools I can tolerate idiots can be ignored by by
 
This thread has served its purpose. I will not be revisiting it.
 
Llewellyn said:
This thread has served its purpose. I will not be revisiting it.
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Just in case you do revisit it. If you go onto Flickr you can search lens models by focal length and see what others have done with it.

I got a 75-300 this week and spent about an hour in the garden today. Definitely not great for small birds. Got a couple of okish shots of sea gulls in flight, but nothing spectacular.
 
leaky5 said:
Just in case you do revisit it. If you go onto Flickr you can search lens models by focal length and see what others have done with it.

I got a 75-300 this week and spent about an hour in the garden today. Definitely not great for small birds. Got a couple of okish shots of sea gulls in flight, but nothing spectacular.
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I agree, 400 is much better for that, and other things, however there are many things for which the 300 is perfect, and it is much lighter.
I have both, and don't feel I have a duplication.

The other point on sharpness, the Panasonic is far less sharp if you use a UV filter to protect the lens, nothing to do with the quality of the filter, something to do with reflections I read.
I have no idea if this is also the case with the Olympus lens, I don't have one.
 
I have had and used both lenses and both perform better on their own brands l thought. There is very little between them although the Panasonic felt better in hand l preferred the Olympus for the wider short end. Bottom line is get the Olympus if you own an Olympus camera but both are good.
 
just a little thought that’s come to mind from my Olympus m4/3 days and my apologies if it’s been mentioned already is the zoom ring rotates in a different direction from Olympus lenses to Panasonic, it might not be an issue but I found it a little frustrating to start with when I picked up my first Panasonic or Olympus lens after using the solely the other brand.
 
Micro-four-thirds said:
just a little thought that’s come to mind from my Olympus m4/3 days and my apologies if it’s been mentioned already is the zoom ring rotates in a different direction from Olympus lenses to Panasonic, it might not be an issue but I found it a little frustrating to start with when I picked up my first Panasonic or Olympus lens after using the solely the other brand.
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Yes I found that too but got used to it very quickly. just Olympus being different I guess.
 
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