Meike vs OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED

Overview of the Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II STM AF

The Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II STM AF is a strong contender in the medium telephoto lens category, priced at $229.99. This lens is designed for full-frame Canon EF mount cameras, making it an ideal choice for portrait, architectural, and landscape photography. It boasts a wide f/1.8 aperture that allows for beautiful bokeh effects, enhancing the aesthetic quality of images.

The lens’s construction includes 11 elements arranged in 7 groups, ensuring sharpness and high resolution, making it suitable for 8K photography. Its minimum focus distance is 0.65m, providing versatility for various shooting scenarios. Additionally, the lens supports autofocus and features a micro Type-C firmware upgrade interface, which adds value to its usability.

Overview of the OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro

The OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro lens is priced at $549.99, positioning it as a premium option for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. This lens is particularly designed for macro photography, offering a 1:1 life-size magnification with a minimum focusing distance of 7.4 inches. Its f/2.8 aperture delivers excellent low-light performance, making it a great choice for detailed close-up shots.

With 13 lens elements in 10 groups, this lens is engineered to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure accurate color reproduction. Features like the ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating and a focus limit switch enhance its functionality. The weather-sealed design makes it suitable for outdoor use, appealing to photographers who require durability in various conditions.

Price Comparison

The Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II is about 58% cheaper than the OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious photographers. At $229.99, the Meike lens provides significant savings compared to the Olympus lens, which comes in at $549.99. This price difference of $320 can be a decisive factor for many users who are considering which lens to purchase.

While both lenses offer unique features and capabilities, the price gap highlights the Meike lens as a more accessible choice, particularly for those who are just starting in photography or those who wish to expand their lens collection without a hefty investment.

Target Audience

The Meike 85mm lens is primarily aimed at portrait and landscape photographers who use Canon EF mount cameras. Its versatility and affordability make it an excellent choice for hobbyists and semi-professionals looking to create stunning images with a beautiful background blur.

Conversely, the OM SYSTEM Olympus lens targets macro photography enthusiasts and professionals who require high precision and detail in their shots. Its specialized features, such as life-size magnification and weather-sealed design, appeal to those who often work in varying environmental conditions and need reliable equipment for close-up photography.

Image Quality

When it comes to image quality, the Meike 85mm lens excels in producing sharp and high-resolution images, thanks to its advanced optical design with 11 elements in 7 groups. The wide f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent light transmission, making it suitable for low-light conditions and creating pleasing bokeh effects that enhance portrait photography.

On the other hand, the OM SYSTEM Olympus lens is designed explicitly for macro photography, with a specific focus on detail reproduction and minimizing distortion. Its 13 elements in 10 groups ensure that fine details are captured with clarity, making it a top choice for photographers who prioritize accuracy in their close-up work. The ZERO coating further enhances image quality by reducing lens flare and ghosting, which can be particularly beneficial when shooting under challenging lighting conditions.

Build and Design

The Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II lens is constructed with a focus on compatibility and usability, featuring a robust build that’s designed to withstand regular use. Its STM stepping motor allows for smooth and silent focusing, which is an advantage for video recording and candid photography.

In contrast, the OM SYSTEM Olympus lens boasts a weather-sealed design, making it resistant to dust and splashes, thus suitable for outdoor photography. This durability is essential for photographers who often shoot in unpredictable weather. Additionally, the internal focusing system ensures that the lens does not change length when focusing, which is crucial when working at close distances.

Autofocus Performance

For autofocus performance, the Meike 85mm lens supports AF and electronic aperture adjustments, making it user-friendly for photographers who prefer quick and efficient focusing. The STM motor enhances the focusing experience by operating quietly and smoothly, which is particularly beneficial in quiet environments.

The OM SYSTEM Olympus lens features a High-Speed Imager AF (MSC), which is designed to enhance the speed of autofocus, especially important in macro photography where precise focus is crucial. The focus limit switch further aids in speeding up the autofocus process, allowing photographers to quickly shift between subjects without losing time.

Which should you buy?

Choosing between the Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II and the OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro ultimately depends on your specific photography needs and budget. If you are looking for a versatile, cost-effective lens for portrait and landscape photography with a price point of $229.99, the Meike lens is an excellent choice. However, if you are focused on macro photography and require a high-quality lens with advanced features for detailed close-up shots, the OM SYSTEM lens at $549.99 may be worth the investment. Each lens offers unique benefits, making them suitable for different types of photographers.