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Olympus introduces M.Zuiko 8-25mm F4 Pro Micro Four Thirds lens

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Olympus introduces M.Zuiko 8-25mm F4 Pro Micro Four Thirds lens

Olympus has added a new member to its ‘Pro’ lineup of high-end Micro Four Thirds lenses: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 Pro. The 8-25mm, which has a 35mm-equivalent field of view of 16-50mm and an F8 equivalent aperture, has numerous special elements, including a ‘DSA’ (dual super aspherical) element to reduce sagittal flare or comatic aberration (commonly referred to as ‘coma’). A special ‘ZERO’ coating helps prevent flare and ghosting.

The 8-25mm has a minimum focus distance of 23cm (9.1″) across its focal range, and a maximum magnification of 0.42x on its telephoto end. A clutch on the lens barrel makes it easy to switch between auto and manual focus.

This is Olympus’ first collapsable Pro lens, and its 411 gram (14.5 ounces) weight makes it easy to carry around. The lens is weather-sealed to IPX1 standards, freeze-proof, and has a fluorine coating on its front element to repel oil and water.

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 Pro will be available in July for $1099.

Press release:

Introducing the M.Zuiko® Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO Lens

Compact, Lightweight, Ultra Wide-Angle Lens with Excellent Optical Performance
with Dust and Splash Proof Construction

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 9, 2021 – Today, OM Digital Solutions Corporation is pleased to announce the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO lens (35mm equivalent: 16-50mm). This Micro Four Thirds® System standard compliant lens covers ultra-wide angle 16mm equivalent1 to standard 50mm equivalent1, providing superb depictive performance across the entire zoom range. It is scheduled to become available for purchase in North America on July 9, 2021. This compact, lightweight, high magnification zoom lens delivers the high image quality expected of the M.Zuiko PRO series, supporting versatile photographic opportunities, including dynamic ultra-wide angle landscape photos, outdoor portraits, and video.

High Magnification
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO lens covers a wide range of shooting scenarios, from the ultra-wide angle 16mm equivalent to a maximum2 3.1x zoom magnification, for capturing everything from dynamic ultra-wide shots to standard shots. This is the first lens in the M.Zuiko PRO series to feature a retracting mechanism to ensure its compact size. Despite being an ultra-wide angle, high magnification zoom lens, this model weighs less than 15 ounces, making it highly portable for agile shooting.

Excellent Optical Performance
Our dedication to optical performance has resulted in a 16-element, 10-group lens configuration that includes special lenses such as Super ED, ED, and EDA lenses. Various types of aberrations are thoroughly suppressed, including chromatic aberration, resulting in high-resolution sharp depiction across the entire zoom range. The integration of a large DSA lens significantly reduces sagittal comatic aberration. This design delivers high level image reproduction from the center to the edges of the image even at the widest aperture setting, ideal for night scenes and star photography. Furthermore, the optimized ZERO Coating and lens shape help to thoroughly suppress ghosts and flaring during backlit shooting, delivering sharp, high-definition images. Because the constant F4.0 aperture is available at any focal length, exposure control is easy when operating the zoom and while recording video.

Close-up Shooting
Enjoy powerful macro shooting with a maximum shooting magnification of 0.42x for performance that rivals that of a half-macro lens. The closest focusing distance is 9 inches across the entire zoom range, making it possible to operate the zoom ring after approaching the subject for easy angle-of-view adjustment. The M.Zuiko Digital 8-25mm F4.0 PRO lens supports Focus Stacking3, which merges images into a single photo in focus from the foreground to background in-camera, for versatile macro functionality.

Reliable Durability
This lens features superb IPX1-equivalent splashproof and dustproof performance and freezeproof performance to 14°F for the ultimate reliability unique to the M.Zuiko PRO series. When paired with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and E-M5 series, you can have peace of mind using this lens in punishing environments such as rain and snow. Fluorine coating is used on the front lens for easy cleaning in rainy, snowy, or dusty environments.

Filter Support
Despite its ultra wide-angle design, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO lens is 72mm filter-compatible, allowing the use of PL or ND filters. This provides more versatility, potentially minimizing glare and reflections, and enhancing the final look of an image.

Other Features
A Manual Focus Clutch provides instantaneous switching between auto and manual focus options. A lens function button is available on the side of the lens so users can change settings with the touch of their thumb, while holding the camera.

Specifications
Please see our website for detailed product specifications: https://www.getolympus.com/us/en/lenses/m-zuiko-digital-ed-8-25mm-f4-0-pro.html.

Pricing, Configurations, Availability & Specifications
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO lens comes packaged with the LH-76E lens hood,LC-72C front lens cap, LR-2 rear lens cap and a protective cloth wrap. It is available for pre-order now for $1,099.99 USD and $1,399.99 CAD at participating local authorized retailers, or at www.getolympus.com, and will begin shipping in July 2021.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 Pro specifications

Principal specifications
Lens type Zoom lens
Max Format size FourThirds
Focal length 8–25 mm
Image stabilization No
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds
Aperture
Maximum aperture F4
Minimum aperture F22
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 7
Optics
Elements 16
Groups 10
Special elements / coatings 1 DSA + 1 Super ED + 1 ED + 1 HR + 2 aspherical ED elements, ZERO coating
Focus
Minimum focus 0.23 m (9.06)
Maximum magnification 0.14×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Linear Motor
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale Yes
DoF scale No
Physical
Weight 411 g (0.91 lb)
Diameter 77 mm (3.03)
Length 89 mm (3.5)
Materials Magnesium alloy
Sealing Yes
Colour Black
Zoom method Rotary (extending)
Power zoom No
Filter thread 72 mm
Hood supplied Yes
Tripod collar No

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Hard to get: Canon delays orders of new V1 compact amid high demand

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Hard to get: Canon delays orders of new V1 compact amid high demand


Photo: Dale Baskin

Canon Announced its PowerShot V1 compact just a few weeks ago, with pre-orders only recently opening for those in Asia. Despite that, DCWatch reported that Canon has already warned that demand is high and delivery may be delayed as a result, potentially delaying its availability to the rest of the world.

canon-powershot-v1-delay-information
A screenshot of the messaging on Canon Japan’s website.

Visiting the PowerShot V1 product page reveals a message (translated from Japanese) stating, “Apologies and information regarding product supply status.” That message links to a page that briefly explains that Canon is “currently receiving more orders than expected for the following products, which is causing delays in delivery.” Notably, three compact cameras are affected, with the PowerShot V1 at the top of the list. Canon plans to ship these products sequentially but says delivery may take longer than usual.

The PowerShot V1 is the company’s first compact camera since the PowerShot G7 X III, which was released back in July 2019. Canon also launched the PowerShot V10 in June 2023, but that model is more video-focused and targets a different user base. Even though the Powershot V1 is only available in Asia, it is a welcome addition. After all, we are currently seeing an increased interest in compact cameras, which is driving up prices and causing issues with availability across the board.

Canon PowerShot V1 vlogging screen
Photo: Dale Baskin

The increased demand is reflected across the compact market. Retro compacts that used to sell for $5 at garage sales and thrift stores now go for anywhere from $40 to $250 or even higher. The PowerShot G7 X III, despite being six years old, has such high demand that Canon is suspending orders indefinitely to catch up. Meanwhile, the Fujifilm X100VI, which was announced a year ago, is still out of stock on most websites and is selling for as much as double its already steep $1,599 retail price on sites like eBay. CIPA’s January numbers also showed a rise in the popularity of compact cameras, with an increase in shipments and value compared to January 2024.

While The PowerShot V1 was released exclusively for Asia, many are eagerly waiting for broader availability. Unfortunately, a delay so early on in the release potentially complicates that, meaning those hoping to get their hands on the camera outside of Asia will likely have to wait even longer. Canon hasn’t provided specific timing or details on the extent of the delays. That means it’s a waiting game for now, with another compact camera bogged down by supply constraints.



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CIPA's January 2025 data shows compacts are more popular than ever

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CIPA's January 2025 data shows compacts are more popular than ever


Photo: Richard Butler

The Camera and Imaging Product Association (CIPA) recently published its total production and shipment data for January. The latest data shows that demand for compact cameras remains strong. Shipments of interchangeable lens systems also increased year over year, while those of SLR systems slowed.

CIPA breaks down its data into camera types, with dedicated sections for cameras with built-in lenses and interchangeable lens systems. It also differentiates between SLRs and mirrorless cameras and provides specific data regarding various regions. All digital still cameras saw a 6% increase in shipment compared to January 2024 data, while interchangeable lens cameras were up 5% year-over-year.

cipa-total-shipment-dsc-januar-2025
A graph showing the total number of shipments of digital still cameras.

Graph: CIPA

Built-in lens systems, though, saw the biggest increase of all categories. With 124,085 units shipped in January, cameras with integrated lenses saw an increase in shipments of 11% compared to January last year. Also notable was the 50% increase in the value of shipped compact cameras compared to January last year. The fact that the value is increasing faster than the number of units shipped indicates prices are higher for those cameras.

The growth in value isn’t entirely surprising, given that demand for compacts is high right now. Cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI have been extremely popular. According to Map Camera, one of the largest photography retailers in Japan, the Fujifilm X100VI was its best-selling camera in February 2025. The buzz surrounding the Canon Powershot V1, which was only recently announced at CP+, is also significant. The Powershot V1 is only available in Asia and wasn’t scheduled to start shipping until April. Despite all that, DCWatch reported that Canon has already announced it is experiencing supply shortage issues and that delivery times may be longer than usual as a result.

While that growth in compact camera shipments is interesting, it seems to be largely the result of two regions. China saw the greatest increase; shipments of compact cameras grew substantially year-over-year, with just 6,055 units shipped in January 2024 versus 18,955 units shipped in January 2025, a 213% increase. Asia (excluding China and Japan) also saw an increase, though at a more modest 22%. Europe and the Americas, however, actually saw a few thousand fewer shipments of compact cameras year-over-year (around a 6% fall).

While compacts saw an increase in shipments, SLRs saw a decline in January 2025 compared to January 2024. Shipments of SLRs were down 16% year-over-year. This isn’t much of a surprise, given that the last DLSR that was released was the Pentax K-3 Mark III in March 2021, and Canon and Nikon last released DSLRs in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Sigma is also no longer developing new DSLR lenses. Needless to say, it seems the sun is setting on DSLRs, so it makes sense that shipments would be slowing.



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CIPA's January 2025 data shows compacts' continued resurgence

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CIPA's January 2025 data shows compacts are more popular than ever


Photo: Richard Butler

The Camera and Imaging Product Association (CIPA) recently published its total production and shipment data for January. The latest data shows that demand for compact cameras remains strong. Shipments of interchangeable lens systems also increased year over year, while those of SLR systems slowed.

CIPA breaks down its data into camera types, with dedicated sections for cameras with built-in lenses and interchangeable lens systems. It also differentiates between SLRs and mirrorless cameras and provides specific data regarding various regions. All digital still cameras saw a 6% increase in shipment compared to January 2024 data, while interchangeable lens cameras were up 5% year-over-year.

cipa-total-shipment-dsc-januar-2025
A graph showing the total number of shipments of digital still cameras.

Graph: CIPA

Built-in lens systems, though, saw the biggest increase of all categories. With 124,085 units shipped in January, cameras with integrated lenses saw an increase in shipments of 11% compared to January last year. Also notable was the 50% increase in the value of shipped compact cameras compared to January last year. The fact that the value is increasing faster than the number of units shipped indicates prices are higher for those cameras.

The growth in value isn’t entirely surprising, given that demand for compacts is high right now. Cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI have been extremely popular. According to Map Camera, one of the largest photography retailers in Japan, the Fujifilm X100VI was its best-selling camera in February 2025. The buzz surrounding the Canon Powershot V1, which was only recently announced at CP+, is also significant. The Powershot V1 is only available in Asia and wasn’t scheduled to start shipping until April. Despite all that, DCWatch reported that Canon has already announced it is experiencing supply shortage issues and that delivery times may be longer than usual as a result.

While that growth in compact camera shipments is interesting, it seems to be largely the result of two regions. China saw the greatest increase; shipments of compact cameras grew substantially year-over-year, with just 6,055 units shipped in January 2024 versus 18,955 units shipped in January 2025, a 213% increase. Asia (excluding China and Japan) also saw an increase, though at a more modest 22%. Europe and the Americas, however, actually saw a few thousand fewer shipments of compact cameras year-over-year (around a 6% fall).

While compacts saw an increase in shipments, SLRs saw a decline in January 2025 compared to January 2024. Shipments of SLRs were down 16% year-over-year. This isn’t much of a surprise, given that the last DLSR that was released was the Pentax K-3 Mark III in March 2021, and Canon and Nikon last released DSLRs in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Sigma is also no longer developing new DSLR lenses. Needless to say, it seems the sun is setting on DSLRs, so it makes sense that shipments would be slowing.



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