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A 300mm (600mm equivalent) prime that's only 8.9 inches long and weighs only 2.8 pounds (without its tripod adapter) is a dream come true for sports and wildlife photographers–especially for those coming from heavy full-frame Nikon and Canon versions, which each are over 17 inches long and 11 pounds.

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We received a copy of the CES Editors' Choice award–winning lens a few days after we returned from Vegas, so of course I instantly strapped it to the OM-D E-M1 loaner we had in-house. Here's what I saw on the frigid streets of Boston.

Hands-On

With the M.Zuiko ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO, Olympus has done a great job making sure that smaller doesn't mean cheaper. Upon picking this lens up, you can immediately tell that it's incredibly well-made, with a fully metal body and an incredibly dense feel. The weather sealing provides a crucial added benefit that both wildlife and sports shooters will appreciate.

The small size of the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f/4 IS Pro allows for users to shoot angles unlike the bulkier 600mm lenses on the market.
Credit: Olympus

The small size of the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f/4 IS Pro allows for users to shoot angles unlike the bulkier 600mm lenses on the market.

{{amazon name="Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mirrorless Camera (Body Only)", asin="B00EQ07PG2", align="right"}} The focus ring–which features Olympus's signature clutch that slides back and forth to switch between auto- and manual focus–has good tactility and glides effortlessly when focusing manually. The controls for image stabilization and focusing distances are snug, so you won't accidentally move them, but can be switched easily with your thumb while shooting.

Overall it's much more like shooting with a 70-200mm full-frame lens than some 600mm f/4 full-frame monstrosity.

Sample Photos

The following sample photos were all taken on either the new Olympus PEN-F or the Olympus OM-D E-M1, without using a tripod or monopod for support.

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 250
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 250

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 200
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 200

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4, ISO 200
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4, ISO 200

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 200
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 200

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 640
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 640

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 200
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 200

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 640
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 640

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 1000
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 1000

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 800
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 800

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/250 sec, f/4, ISO 1600
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/250 sec, f/4, ISO 1600

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/60 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: E-M1, 600mm, 1/60 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 800
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 800

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 500
Credit: Reviewed.com / Kyle Looney

EXIF: PEN-F, 600mm, 1/320 sec, f/4, ISO 500

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Meet the tester

Jackson Ruckar

Jackson Ruckar

Photographer / Producer

@JacksonRuckar

As a photojournalist, Jackson has had stints working with bands, the military, and professional baseball teams before landing with Reviewed.com's camera team. Outside of Reviewed.com, he can be found looking for the next game to relieve his "Gamer ADD" or growing his beard.

See all of Jackson Ruckar's reviews

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