OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro

This OM System prime is a macro lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. It reaches 1x magnification, so small subjects appear at life size on the sensor. That makes it a specialist tool for close-up work.

The lens combines life-size close focusing with a compact body. Its 2012 design suits photographers who want to carry a macro lens alongside everyday equipment. There is no built-in stabilisation, so consider your camera body and available support. Dust and splash protection help with outdoor use.

The lens weighs 6.5 oz (185 g) and measures 3.23 in (82 mm) long and 2.2 in (56 mm) across. This compact shape is useful when packing equipment for a walk or a small studio setup. A screw-in filter attached directly must match the 46mm thread. Keep the front protected during transport.

Maximum magnification is 1x, or life-size on the sensor. Closest focus is 0.6 ft (19 cm), measured from the sensor. The front glass sits much nearer to the subject, so leave room ahead of it. Check that the camera or lens does not shade a small object as you move close.

On Micro Four Thirds,60mm gives a telephoto view. It suits plants, insects and product details, as well as portraits from farther back. Framing depends on subject distance. The f/2.8 maximum aperture gives more room for a faster shutter speed or lower ISO than a smaller opening.

At 1x magnification, depth of field is very shallow. Stop down when more of the subject must stay sharp, then adjust the exposure for the reduced light. Check focus on the important detail. For a portrait, a nearby subject can have a soft background when there is enough space behind it.

There is no zoom, so you frame by moving yourself. Small shifts of position set the composition at macro distances. The optics specification score is 78 out of 100.

There is no stabilisation in the lens. A camera with body stabilisation can help with shake. Firm support helps with slow exposures, but a flower moving in wind still needs enough shutter speed for its movement. At life-size magnification, small camera movements can also shift focus.

Dust and splash protection help during field macro work. Use cover in persistent rain and keep the mount clean when changing lenses. Remove loose grit before wiping the front glass, especially after working near soil or sand. Keep both ends capped when storing the lens.

One low-dispersion element sits in the optical path. Low-dispersion glass helps reduce chromatic aberration, the coloured fringes that can appear along high-contrast edges. At macro distances, a dew-edged leaf against bright sky is the kind of high-contrast edge where colour fringes can appear.

Focusing is internal, so the barrel does not extend while you focus. The front of the lens stays still as you fine-tune focus near a small subject.