More than from a zoom or any other lens, I want superior optical performance from a prime lens, and this lens has it. The MTF charts for this and the M.Zuiko 25mm Pro show that this lens is the better of the two in the performance aspects that matter to me, and my experience with it bears that out. As a WWII living historian portraying a Signal Corps officer, I shoot a lot of B&W, and I am well pleased with the results I get from this lens on my PEN-F. The sharpness falls off very much like that of the human eye, like an old Zeiss Tessar. I love all of my M.Zuiko lenses, wouldn't trade them for anything else, but this 25mm ƒ/1.8 lens is the one I wouldn't be without.

The lens is nice and small and is decently made. Fits my E-M1 perfectly. I enjoy shooting it, but when shooting into the light and overexposing the highlights the purple fringes are massive and impossible to remove well. The fringing is worse than on the 12-40 mm Zoom and does not go away completely when stopping down to f/5.6. The lens does not fit my style of shooting at all and I sadly returned it to Olympus.

I've only recently received this lens, so I intend to follow up with a second review in due course, after I've spent more time with it. First impressions match what others have posted here, so no need to rehash. Suffice it to say that either it, or the new new 12-25 F4 PRO lens will be on my OMD E-5 Mark III, 99% of the time (I'm leaving that other 1% for a future lens, probably a prime). As this is my first prime, I will need to get use to it a bit more compared to a zoom, but even so, the few test shots I've taken in absolutely horrid light have been impressive so far. Quick to focus, words are sharp and certainly legible, etc. I'm clearly in the enthusiast group of photographers, and am no pro, nor do I have such aspirations. But I'm fortunate enough to have this particular camera/lens combo (I bought the E-5 kit w/the 12-45, so the 25mm is an add-on). But with these two lenses, I can accomplish much of the types of photography I'm into. The 25mm in its own right could be an awesome "kit" lens with this camera body as well, it's so versatile--though I understand why short zooms tend to be the norm. Anyway, it's an excellent one-two punch for whatever constitutes your lens collection as I expect that most of us have a go-to lens (for me that'll be the 12-45 much of the time), but the 25mm could satisfy that role too; having both at one's disposal is icing on the cake.

This is a great little street/portrait lens, surprisingly good performance in low light, it can also produce a great bokeh effect, which proves the myth that m 4/3's are not good bokeh busted.

Physically the Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8 is a small package considering its relatively large maximum aperture. This compact design will match nicely the camera dimensions of most M4/3 format models. A large focus ring is surrounding the 25mm which is a strong permanent tentation to select manually by yourself your focus point. It is really a creative prime lens, an academic optic as should add the traditional photographic teachers. A polymer made lens hood is part of the accessories included with the lens. It is a nice addition offer with a none too much perturbing size. And it is bayonet mounted and very easy to put in or pull out. With an angle of view of 47 degrees the Olympus 25mm F1.8 is a very confortable optic to work with. All perspective aspects of the image respect your own view of the subject. By moving yourself you can control the cropping of your picture without surprise. So it is really a pro-active tool in that sens. No subject is out of the reach of the Olympus 25mm although it can ask to reframe in some cases when you finally edit your picture for diffusion. Very close focus subjects can be photograph with this "normal" lens. As for subjects with minimal deep of field study. And you can do portrait assuming that there is always the possibility to crop afterward the picture. The Olympus M. 25mm F1.8 is a fine lens. The quality output of its picture results is high for its modest price compare to "pro" counterpart such as the Olympus Pro M.Zuiko 25mm f1.2 optic. Most of the time I have selected the largest apertures available ranging from F1.8 to F5.6 without suffering any lost of definition. Moreover I suspect that the lens has been primarily designed to be used within that range of apertures. Focus final selection can be easily performed by configuring the camera with the option allowing the combination of auto-manual focusing. The more you will explore your subject with it the more you will learn to appreciate its abilities. Is the 25mm lens can be assimilated as a "one and only" lens to bring option? May be depending what type of photographer you are. For sure for contextual street photography into urban area its angle of view can be perceive a bit too much narrowed compare with the Olympus 17mm f1.8 for example. But remember that guys like Henri Cartier-Bresson have done very fine and emblematic pictures with that angle of view (translated by the 50mm focal length in 24X36mm film format). Finally if your are more oriented "zoomer" photographer by choice or by necessity, the Olympus 25mm F1.8 is a nice back-up lens for on-the-spot replacement and its useful maximum aperture in low light conditions or even for its smaller less intrusive size and it can be slip in your pocket.

This lens has captured wonderful moments while I was backpacking. It's the perfect combination of weight and bulk, fitting in any small camera bag, whilst able to take amazing night shoots. Perfect if you like to walk around and use your legs as a zoom. Suits well to city photographers and world travelers!

This is the lens I leave on my body most of the time, and then if I need to, I switch from this. But its super sharp and the perfect focal length for most of my shots! I love this little lens.

Sharp, great for low light and portraits.

Great lens, I've borrowed one from a friend numerous times and just purchased my own. Fast and the right focal length!

Excellent, daily-driver for my camera. Allows you to be flexible in distancing from your subjects in indoor environments. The lens specs are perfect balance to achieve both portrait and landscape photography without switching lenses.