Heliguy's DJI Zenmuse X5 Series Lens Guide

This guide looks at the various lenses for DJI’s X5 camera series allowing you more control over the shots you’re able to capture from the Inspire 1 and Inspire 2 quadcopters as well as the Matrice 200 & 600. Before we look at each Olympus lens available from heliguy™, here is a table of specifications which allows you to compare them and begin to think about which one best suits your need.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5S (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5R Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 1, DJI Inspire 2, DJI Matrice 200, DJI Matrice 600

The Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital 45mm f/1.8 is a telephoto lens designed for use with an MFT system (like the Zenmuse X5 series of cameras from DJI). Featuring the manufacturer’s movie and stills compatible (MSC) autofocus technology for rapid focusing, this lens comprises of nine elements in eight separate groups, including two extra-high refractive index elements. Weighing just over 115g and measuring up at only 46 by 56mm, the M.ZUIKO Digital 45mm f/1.8 is a lightweight lens that’s built for portability as well as performance. It’s worth noting that aside from a rapid max aperture of f/1.8, the lens doesn’t really have any other notable features. There’s no depth of focus marks or distance scale, no focus limiter or image stabilisation included, however, DJI’s gimbal technology will ensure that all imagery and footage is stable. The only control on the barrel is the focus ring, which isn’t mechanically coupled to the lens elements but operates seamlessly. The one exception is that there are no stops at either end of the focus range which makes it tough to gauge when you’re nearing close-focus or the infinity setting. Despite this, users get a smooth action and no noticeable delays. As the 45mm f/1,8 has an internal focusing mechanism, the length of the barrel remains unchanged and the filter thread doesn’t rotate on focus. Also worth a mention is that while most of the M.ZUIKO Digital 45mm f/1,8 is plastic, the lens mount is made of metal. On the subject of materials, Olympus hasn’t claimed any weatherproofing on this lens so be careful shooting in more challenging conditions. One final thing to mention is that focusing isn't just fast - it's almost silent, too, courtesy of the inbuilt MSC technology. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5 (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5R (Balancing Ring) Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 1, DJI Matrice 600

With a 35mm equivalent focal range of 28-84mm, the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ lens boasts a variable-speed electromagnetic zoom mechanism and rapid near-silent autofocus. This is supported by a formula of eight elements in seven different groups which include one Super HR, one ED and three aspherical elements. This M.ZUIKO model has the distinction of being (as of writing) the world's most compact ‘pancake’ zoom lens, at only 22.5mm retracted, which makes it less than half the length of similar alternatives. It also weighs a diminutive 93g, making an impressively lightweight unit. One caveat to mention is that when shooting in very low-light situations there’s a chance you’ll find yourself focus hunting on long shots, as the f/5.6 maximum aperture doesn’t always let enough light to pass through to the sensor. The 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ lens has an electronic zoom as well as lens retraction synched to the camera’s power. When you power up the camera, the lens automatically extends to 14mm. When powering down, the lens retracts back to its dormant setting. The lens comes with a metal MFT mount and communication between the lens and the camera’s body is provided through a series of eleven contact points. With the Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ lens, focusing is super fast. Capable of rapidly locking its focus onto subjects, even when alternating distance, the lens also has multi-spectral coating making it ideal for shooting video. The lens uses a ‘focus-by-wire’ system, as the focus ring isn’t mechanically attached to the lens elements. The Olympus M.ZUIKO 14-42mm also features a 37mm filter thread which doesn’t rotate on focus, ideal for anyone looking to use a polariser or ND filters. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5S (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5R Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 1, DJI Inspire 2, DJI Matrice 200, DJI Matrice 600

The Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital 25mm f/1.8 is a fast standard prime lens for MFT systems. Offering a 25mm focal length, a bright max f/1.8  aperture and an auto-focus motor, this lens is a great all-purpose walk-around lens. With 9 elements in 7 separate groups including two aspherical elements and an iris diaphragm with 7 round blades for a smooth bokeh effect, the lens also has a ‘ZUIKO Extra-low Reflection Optical’ coating which reduces any adverse effects from flare and ghosting. Weighing a very manageable 137g and measuring only 42mm by 57mm, the M.ZUIKO Digital 25mm f/1.8 is a lightweight model that is comparatively small when compared to other standard prime lenses. The lens doesn’t offer a focus limiter or image stabilisation, the latter isn’t a deal breaker, given that this is a fast wide-angle lens that supports photography in lower light conditions without stabilisation (Note: DJI’s gimbals will act as a stabiliser). The Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital 25mm f/1.8 lens is compatible with 46mm filters and comes with a standard metal MFT mount. This adds sturdiness to a predominantly plastic lens. It’s worth noting that the manufacturer hasn’t claimed this M.ZUIKO is weatherproofed in any way so be careful in more challenging conditions.   The focus is very quick and reliable and is possible in a focus-by-wire fashion, although there are no hard stops at either end of the range. It’s also worth mentioning aesthetically that the focus ring is quite large when compared to the overall dimensions of the lens. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5 (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5R (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5S (Balancing Ring) Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 1, DJI Inspire 2, DJI Matrice 200, DJI Matrice 600

The M.ZUIKO Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 is a metal, fast to moderate wide-angle lens for MFT systems. Due to its in-built depth of field and distance indicators, this model is perfect for ‘zone focusing’. Great for getting some beautiful aerial shots, the ED 17mm f/1.8 features the Olympus ZUIKO Extra-Low Reflection Optical coating to minimise flare and ghosting. The Olympus Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 is a smaller lens with a complex optical formula of 9 elements including three ‘aspherical surfaces’ and one ‘high-refractive index element’. Due to its metallic body, it's a bit heavier than you would think when looking at its size, however, it’s lightweight enough to act as an ideal companion to a Zenmuse Camera. This lens doesn’t offer any optical image stabilisation but DJI’s gimbals will pick up the slack. The lens focuses quickly and quietly with rapid Auto-Focus that borders on instantaneous. Focusing is internalised, which means that the length of the lens barrel doesn’t change and the filter thread doesn’t rotate on focus. This is useful for those looking to add ND filters to the lens. Pulling back the focus ring enters manual focus mode, regardless of the focus method set on the camera. With this setting, the focus ring stops at infinity / the close-focus point, similar to a tried-and-tested manual-focus lens. Despite this lens operating a focus-by-wire system, in practice, it feels like you’re using a purely manual lens. This offers greater control, especially for complex aerial shots. Benefitting from the Olympus Snapshot Focus Mechanism, the ED 17mm f/1.8 allows you to effectively utilise zone focusing techniques to get the shots you need. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5S (Balancing Ring) Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 2, DJI Matrice 200

Olympus’ Digital ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6 is a wide-angle MFT zoom lens with a collapsible barrel. With an 18-36mm focal range and a 100° angle of view, the 9-18mm lens is an effective addition to any aerial photographer’s kit. Thanks to its collapsible design, the Olympus M.ZUIKO 9-18mm manages to pack its functionality into a very compact unit with high-quality ultra-wide-angle zoom. This lens is 49.5mm in length when collapsed and weighs 155g. This means that it’s less than half the size and almost half the weight of a regular MFT lens which covers identical focal ranges. Please note that in its collapsed state, the lens can’t be used to take stills. However, all the user needs to do is adjust the zoom ring to the 9mm setting to activate it. When zooming from 18mm to 9mm the lens reaches a hard stop, preventing you from exceeding its widest point. To fully retract the lens for travel, slide the unlock switch located on the side of the barrel. The lens has a sturdy metal MFT mount and, just as a note on its construction, it’s worth mentioning that Olympus doesn’t claim that this lens is in any way weatherproofed. This isn’t a major drawback but should be kept in mind on photo/film shoots in more challenging conditions. At 9mm, the lens has a diagonal angle-of-view of 100° and at 18mm, the angle of view is 62°. Some nifty functionality means that only one compact lens element moves on focus which helped gain this lens a designation of MSC (Movies and Stills Compatible). To reiterate, the key features of the Digital ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6 are a 100° maximum angle of view, its ultra-compact size and a convenient collapsible design. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5, DJI Zenmuse X5S (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5R Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 1, DJI Inspire 2, DJI Matrice 200, DJI Matrice 600

The M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12mm f/2 is a robust metallic, wide-angle lens for MFT systems such as the DJI Zenmuse X5 series. Due to its in-built depth of field and distance indicators, this unit is great for use in zone focusing while also offering MSC (Movies and Stills Compatible) calibre autofocus. The Digital ED 12mm f/2 features a bespoke, layered lens coating which, according to the manufacturer: “Halves the effects of ghosting and flaring compared to conventional comparable coatings.” This Olympus model is easily portable due to its small size and although it’s heavier than you would expect due to its metallic construction, it’s noticeably lightweight when compared to other SLR (Single Lens Reflex) products. While the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f2 isn’t hugely feature-rich, you are able to pull the focus ring back to the mount, exposing an engraved distance scale that – alongside the lens’s Depth of Focus markings – gives you the ability to effectively zone focus. The manufacturer calls this feature the ‘snapshot focus mechanism’. Autofocus speeds are impressively fast and the lens locks onto your chosen subject almost instantaneously. The focus system is built into the lens, which means that the barrel length doesn’t change and there’s no rotation of the filter thread when focusing. This makes life easier if you’re intending to use polarisers or ND filters regularly. With the focus ring in its default position, the manual focus works just how you would expect with an MFT lens. In the aforementioned position, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f2’s focus ring doesn’t have any stops, either hard or soft, at the ends of its focus range (something people familiar with MFT lenses will expect). If you pull the focus ring back it enables the lens’s manual focus mode, regardless of what you have set on the camera. In this configuration, the focus ring stops at infinity or the close-focus point, similar to a classic manual focus lens, even though you are focusing ‘by wire’ – which is obvious when magnifying into the live feed. You also have access to the Olympus snapshot focus mechanism which helps with zone focusing. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Compatible Cameras: DJI Zenmuse X5 (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5S (Balancing Ring), DJI Zenmuse X5R (Balancing Ring) Compatible Drones: DJI Inspire 1, DJI Inspire 2, DJI Matrice 200, DJI Matrice 600   The DJI MFT 15mm, F/1.7 ASPH Prime Lens has been specifically designed to work with the Micro Four Thirds Zenmuse X5 series and gimbal systems, allowing users to capture incredible aerial images and video using both the Inspire and Matrice series of drones. This lens is comprised of 9 elements in 7 groups uses 3 aspherical lenses, for maximum sharpness, while maintaining a compact size. DJI's custom-built Prime Lens is comprised of 9 elements in 7 groups and uses 3 aspherical lenses for maximum sharpness while maintaining an impressively compact size. The large F1.7 aperture gives users a great performance in low-lighting conditions and also allows control over the camera’s Depth of Field for precise object separation and smooth bokeh effects. When used together with the compatible Zenmuse X5 series of camera, you can adjust both the focus and aperture remotely via the DJI GO and GO 4 apps, or by using the DJI Focus wireless lens control system. Intuitive control over the aperture selection is also possible via the manual aperture ring. With a 30mm equivalent focal length, the DJI MFT 15mm, F/1.7 provides a wider angle of view than comparable lenses but thankfully without straying into any ultra-wide or fisheye territory. The 30mm equivalent focal length provides users with a 72° Field Of View. You can take a closer look at this lens on our product page HERE.

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Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the products featured in this article or would just like to talk to a member of our team about which lens is right for you, we're available via the following methods:  

Call

0191 296 1024

Email

info@heliguy.com

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