Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 vs Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS

Both are Micro Four Thirds mount primes for portrait and budget — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.

Last verified 2026-06-21 · Micro Four Thirds mount · prices change — check the retailer

Spec	Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8	Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS
Focal length	45mm	42.5mm
Max aperture	f/1.8	f/1.7
Type	prime	prime
Coverage	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds
Mount	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds

Which should you buy?

the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS opens wider (f/1.7) — brighter in low light and more background blur
the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS (42.5mm) is wider — more in the frame for street and interiors; the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 (45mm) is tighter — more reach and compression for portraits

Where to buy

OM SYSTEM Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Black for Micro Four Thirds System Camera, Compact Design, Beautiful Bokeh,

Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8See price on Amazon

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Panasonic LUMIX G Lens, 42.5MM, F1.7 ASPH., MIRRORLESS Micro Four Thirds, Power Optical I.S., H-HS043K (USA Black)

Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OISSee price on Amazon

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FAQ

What's the difference between the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 and the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS?
The Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 is 45mm f/1.8 prime, Micro Four Thirds; the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS is 42.5mm f/1.7 prime, Micro Four Thirds. Both fit the Micro Four Thirds mount.

Which is better in low light, the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 or the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS?
The Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS — its f/1.7 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/1.8 of the other.

Do the Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 and Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH Power OIS fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Micro Four Thirds mount lenses, so they fit OM System (Olympus) and Panasonic Lumix G Micro Four Thirds bodies.

Citing these specs? Go ahead — manufacturer data, last verified 2026-06-21. Copy a ready-made reference:

More Micro Four Thirds comparisons: Panasonic Leica DG 15mm f/1.7 vs OM System M.Zuiko 20mm f/1.4 PRO · OM System M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 vs Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 · OM System M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5-6.3 IS vs Panasonic Leica DG 50-200mm f/2.8-4 · OM System M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS vs OM System M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5-6.3 IS · all Micro Four Thirds lenses · all comparisons

Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8Affiliate linkSee price on Amazon