Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Shuichi Takayama) is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f1.8, a large-aperture, medium-telephoto single focal length lens that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard.

One of the reasons many photo enthusiasts choose to move up from a compact camera to an SLR-style interchangeable-lens camera is that they want to have the ability to emphasize the subject of the shot by defocusing the background, as well as to simply enjoy the high-quality photographs.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f1.8 is a medium-telephoto single focal length lens with a focal length of 45mm (equivalent to 90mm of 35mm cameras) and a large aperture of f1.8 that has been specifically designed to make it easy for anyone to take advantage of the background defocusing technique of SLR photography. The combination of excellent lens performance in a light weight of mere 116g and prominent background defocusing is best for the portrait photographs of the family. Also incorporated is the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing in both movie and still image shooting. A sophisticated metallic-style finish with high-grade texture and decoration ring gives this lens a clean, classic profile that exudes quality and performance.

Main Features

1. Large f1.8 aperture and optical design for soft defocusing
2. Sophisticated metallic-style finish with high-grade texture and decoration ring for a classy, unified appearance
3. MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing drive

Pricing & Launch Date

Category	Product Name	MSRP	Launch Date
Interchangeable lens	M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f1.8	35,000 yen (36,750 yen incl. tax)	Autumn 2011

Main Features

1. Large f1.8 aperture and optical design for soft defocusing proper to SLR cameras

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f1.8 is a medium-telephoto, single focal length lens with a focal length of 45mm (equivalent to 90mm of 35mm cameras), developed to allow anyone to take advantage of the background defocusing. The brightness of the f1.8 aperture with a shallow depth of field makes it possible for anyone to shoot portrait pictures emphasizing the subject with soft, beautiful defocusing. The lightweight of mere 116g makes it possible to carry everywhere, anytime in the occasions such as family events.
To implement perfectly round defocusing, it is necessary to make the vignetting as small as possible, as well as to use a circular diaphragm. Vignetting is a phenomenon in which the defocusing in the image periphery area does not form a perfectly round shape but instead is elliptical like a rugby ball. This deformation occurs because the light incident to the peripheral area obliquely with respect to the optical axis is limited by the diameters of the lens elements before and after the diaphragm.
With this lens, 8 groups of 9 lens elements, including two E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements, are optimally laid out to ensure maximum image quality with high contrast and sharpness from the center to the peripheral areas, thereby minimizing vignetting. The optical design also helps eliminate ugly double-line defocusing caused by color aberrations.

2. Sophisticated metallic-style finish with high-grade texture and decoration ring for a classy, unified appearance

Simple, yet sophisticated, the textured metallic-style finish gives this lens a clean, classic look that exudes quality and performance. Designed to complement any PEN series camera, this lens also features a decoration ring that can be used to conceal surface irregularities on the hood mount at the front of the lens and create a sense of unity and coherence.

3. MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism for fast, quiet autofocusing drive

The fruit of advanced optical design technology, the MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism developed to enable fast, quiet autofocusing with a lightweight lens with a small number of lens elements. By driving the focusing lens directly using a metallic shaft and feed screw finished with precision in the sub-micrometric order, rather than using a gear, which is the cause of operating noise, the MSC ensures ultra-quite focusing.
The inner focusing system that incorporates the MSC mechanism adjusts focusing by displacing only one group of two small, lightweight lens elements. This enables smooth autofocusing with high speed and low noise. The smooth autofocusing promises comfortable, stress-free shooting of movies as well as still images.

Optional Accessories

Product Name	MSRP	Launch Date
Lens Hood LH-40B (New product)	4,000 yen (4,200 yen incl. tax)	Autumn 2011
Decoration Ring DR-40	1,500 yen (1,575 yen incl. tax)	22nd July, 2011
Protect Filter PRF-D37	3,500 yen (3.675 yen incl. tax)	Already on sale
Lens Case LSC-0814	2,000 yen (2,100 yen incl. tax)

LH-40B Lens Hood
The lens hood cuts unnecessary light from entering the lens during shooting against light and also offers effective lens protection. The LH-40B adopts a circular design and the same color as the lens to match the high-grade texture of the lens.

LH-40B Lens Hood

DR-40 Decoration Ring
The decoration ring provided as a standard accessory is also available as an option. The decoration ring covers the irregularities on the hood mount at the front of the lens to improve the quality and sense of unity of the external view of the lens. The DR-40 can be used with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II lenses as well as the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f1.8 lens.

DR-40 Decoration Ring

Main Specifications

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f1.8

Mount type	Micro Four Thirds System
Focal length    35mm equivalence	45mm    90mm equivalent
Lens composition	8-group, 9 elements (incl. E-HR element × 2)
Angle of view	27°
AF system	High Speed Imager AF (MSC)
Closest focusing distance	0.5m
Maximum image magnification	0.11X
35mm equivalent	0.22X equivalent
Maximum field size	118×157mm
Number of blades	7 blades (Circular diaphragm)
Maximum aperture	f1.8
Minimum aperture	f22
Filter size	Φ37mm
Dimensions (Max. diameter × Overall length)	Φ56×46mm
Weight	116 grams
Provided accessories	Lens cap (LC-37B), Lens rear cap (LR-2), Decoration ring (DR-40), Instruction manual, Olympus International Warranty Card