The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8 ($499.99 direct) is a fast wide-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras . The image sensors in these cameras are smaller than a 35mm film frame or a full-frame D-SLR, which gives the lens a field of view that's roughly equivalent to a 35mm lens in that format-a...

Very sharp; Fast aperture; Compact; Manual focus clutch system.

Hood not included; Not weather sealed

This prime is excellent for what it is. It's a fantastic streetshooter and the build quality is what I expected paying the high dollar for it. I love the Oly hood for it, too! Images with it are cleaner compared to the 17 2.8 pancake. It's truest strength is its fast AF speed and quiet motor.

The beautifully crafted, all-metal Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 is a strong performer in the optical department, offering very good sharpness wide open, and excellent performance when stopped down to f/2.8 or f/4.

This lens was a lot better than I expected. When I got the lens I was surprised how well built it was. The silver lens also makes my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera look beautiful, which is always a plus.

Durable; Easy To Use; Reliable

Heavy

This lens is a real gem: - Lens construction is first class with it's full metal body. You have to see it in real to really appreciate it. - 34 mm FOV with f1.8 is the best all-around performer I can imagine for the micro 4/3.

Absolutely beautiful and sturdy construction; 34mm FOV with f1.8

Lenshood not included and it's pricey

Before buying the Olympus 17mm f1.8, I'd been using the 1st-generation Panasonic 20mm f1.7 as my main lens for over three years. The Olympus is bigger and heavier than the Panasonic, which is not to say that it's either big or heavy (it's perfectly in proportion with my E-PL3 and GF-1), just that...

This has got to be the best m4/3 lens available in the market.

While we found that this lens is a capable performer under the right circumstances, and we love its signature "snapshot" focus ring, there are simply better choices out there for Micro Four Thirds shooters-several of which are actually less expensive. We love the Olympus 25mm f/1.8, for instance.

Back in the day, when film was still in, people were talking about 35mm photography. Well, this is the closest lens to that old standard. I received this lense as an Xmas gift a year ago. Since then, this lens has become the standard lens on our GX7 Panasonic camera.

"I'm shooting more hand held video interviews these days and this lens on the OM-D EM5 MII is perfect for my needs. It lets me get close enough to the subject for good audio pick up by the on-camera Rode shotgun mic.