OM System : The Missing Lens

Recently, OM System stirred up speculation by updating their lens roadmap with a new premium telephoto zoom: a mysterious white 40–150mm. It’s expected to land sometime in 2025, likely positioned as a higher-end alternative to the already excellent 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO.

But here’s the thing — do we actually need another 40–150mm?
Let’s unpack this.

Is This Just Another White Elephant?

As it stands, the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem is already generously stocked with options around 40–150mm:

• The budget 40–150mm f/4–5.6: featherlight and cheap.
• The more solid 40–150mm f/4.0: slightly better build, still compact.
• The legendary 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO: for pros and advanced amateurs.
• And now — possibly — a white, stabilized, f/2.0 or f/2.5 version?

What does this hypothetical lens offer that the f/2.8 PRO doesn’t already nail?

The one compelling feature could be built-in stabilization — a curious omission from the f/2.8 PRO. With newer bodies pushing IBIS to the limit, adding lens-based stabilization might be the cherry on top. But is that enough to justify a whole new lens?

Let’s be honest: 40–150mm is covered. Thoroughly. There’s barely a gap left to fill unless you’re obsessed with one-stop gains or slightly better optics. For most users, the f/2.8 PRO is already overkill — fast, sharp, weather-sealed, and beautifully balanced.

And even if OM System adds stabilization and wraps it in a white coat… does that make it a must-have? Or just a show pony?

Maybe We’re Looking in the Wrong Place

Let’s shift the spotlight for a moment. If you ask me — and let’s face it, you’re still reading, so you kind of did — the real gap isn’t in the telephoto department at all. It’s lower down the focal range.

Take the 12–40mm f/2.8 PRO — it’s a brilliant little workhorse. I own one, like many MFT users, but to be honest? It hardly sees daylight. It’s fast and sharp, no doubt, but it just stops short of where things start to get interesting. Then there’s the 12–100mm f/4 PRO — great range, solid optics, but that f/4 aperture takes away the magic when the light fades.

And the 12–200mm? On paper, it looks like the perfect travel lens. I have one too — and to be fair, it delivers surprisingly good results. But again… I rarely reach for it. So what’s the issue? What’s missing?

What’s missing is a true all-in-one PRO zoom with real light advantage:

• A 12–100mm f/2.8 PRO — yes, it’d be a chunky beast, but for travel and documentary shooters, it could replace two lenses in one swoop.
• Or a 12–200mm f/2.8–4.0 PRO — a stabilized, versatile workhorse built for photographers who want reach and speed without the swap.

So, What Do You Think?

Are you excited about this upcoming white 40–150mm? Is it solving a problem you’ve actually run into — or just filling a hole on a roadmap?

Would a faster wide-to-mid zoom — say, a 12–100mm f/2.8 — be more practical in the real world? Or do we go full mad-scientist and dream up a 12–200mm f/2.8–4 on steroids — stabilized, sealed, razor-sharp, and ready for anything from elk to eclipse?

Or maybe your dream lens is something a bit different — like a 12–75mm f/1.8 to square up with Panasonic’s Leica 12–60mm, but with that signature OM System boldness?

Let’s hear it — if you could pitch one lens to OM System, what would it be?

Hit the comments, send smoke signals, or drop by the OSP mailbag — I’m genuinely curious what the MFT community thinks. Maybe OM System is listening too, or am I now really too ambitious 😉

Marc.

This article was written by Marc R.
While I primarily speak Dutch and have some knowledge of English and a little French, ChatGPT helps ensure my writing is grammatically correct. I often mix Dutch and English in my drafts, and ChatGPT steps in to translate and correct.