by Ian Burley
Lots of M.Zuiko 9-18 comparison samples for you to explore
In response to a reader request I have produced a set of 56 original sample images (JPEG and RAW) to compare the image quality of the new M.Zuiko Micro Four Thirds 9-18mm super wide zoom with the original Four Thirds 9-18 as well as the 14-42 kit lens and 17mm pancake.
All the samples were shot using an Olympus Pen E-PL1. You can tell which 9-18 lens is which because the Micro Four Thirds version is called an M.Zuiko, while the Four Thirds version is called a Zuiko Digital and the MMF1 adapter is required.
I have provided bothe JPEG and RAW samples so you can compare the effects of any in-camera processing that may have been applied to the JPEG versions.
The JPEG samples were taken at the same time as the RAW ones and in Super Large Fine mode, with noise filtering switched off, and normal gradation mode.
Naturally, I welcome your feedback - please post your comments on the forum (see the link at the bottom of this page).
To view or download the full size original camera JPEG image, click on its associated thumbnail from the gallery view below, and the RAW file can be downloaded from the link also provided:
Image 1: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom. I had to use f/3.9 instead of f/3.5 because the ambient brightness would have required a shutter speed faster than the 1/2000th maximum on the E-PL1 camera used for these shots.
Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec Aperture: f 3.9 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 2: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 3: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 4: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 5: Taken with the M.Zuiko 17mm pancake lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 17 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 6: Taken with the M.Zuiko 17mm pancake lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 17 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 7: Taken with the M.Zuiko 17mm pancake lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 17 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 8: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 9: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 10: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 11: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 12: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec Aperture: f 4.7 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 13: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 14: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 15: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec Aperture: f 4.9 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 16: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 17: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 18: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec Aperture: f 3.5 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 19: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 20: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 21: Taken with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm standard kit zoom.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 22: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 23: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 24: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 25: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 26: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 27: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 28: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 29: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 30: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 31: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 4.7 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 32: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 33: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 34: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 35: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 36: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 4 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 37: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 38: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 39: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec Aperture: f 4.9 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 40: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 41: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 42: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 43: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 44: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 45: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 46: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 47: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 48: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 49: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 14 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 50: Taken with the Zuiko Digital 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens fitted with MMF1 adapter.
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 51: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec Aperture: f 6.3 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 52: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 53: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 12 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 54: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec Aperture: f 8 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 9 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 55: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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Image 56: Taken with the M.Zuiko 9-18mm ultra wide zoom lens.
Shutter Speed: 1/640 sec Aperture: f 5.6 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 18 mm Link to RAW file
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M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
Four Thirds User editorial team M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
In response to a request I have produced a set of 56 original sample images (JPEG and RAW) to compar... (more)
StephenL Re: M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
Thanks for these images, Ian. It seems, without detailed study, that the mZ 9-18 is a little more co... (more)
Ian Re: M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been more comment in this thread about the 9-18 m.Zuiko.
... (more)
StephenL Re: M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
So am I. I've now been using this lens for a while, and it's now a firm favourite. I find it renders... (more)
oluv Re: M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
i/URL]
the other samples i had tried were maybe slightly better to the right wide open, but they ... (more)
Ian Re: M.Zuiko 9-18mm f/4-5.6 sample images and comparisons
A wide angle lens design on a Micro Four Thirds camera is less of a challenge to the designers than ... (more)