Considering a long-reach telephoto for Micro Four Thirds and wondering if the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 is Lens (V315070BU000) Bundle Including: 3 Piece Filter Kit, Flexible Tripod, Cap Keeper, Full Cleaning Kit is the one for you?
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Overview
I tested the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS lens in the bundled kit and I want to share what stood out to me. The lens covers an equivalent focal length of 200–800mm on Micro Four Thirds bodies, which instantly tells you this is designed for long-range shooting like wildlife and sports. The bundle adds practical accessories — filters, a flexible tripod, cap keeper, and a full cleaning kit — that help make the lens usable straight out of the box.
What’s in the Bundle
I appreciate bundles when they actually add value, and this one does. It includes:
- The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS lens
- A 3-piece filter kit
- A flexible tripod
- A cap keeper
- A full cleaning kit
I found the filters useful in the field when conditions changed quickly, and the flexible tripod gave me a lightweight stabilization option when I didn’t want to carry a full tripod. The cleaning kit and cap keeper are nice touches that keep things practical and protected.
Why the bundle matters
I like having the basic accessories included because it lowers the barrier to starting wildlife or sports photography. With long telephoto work you often need filters, good cleaning supplies, and some form of support; this bundle covers those bases without forcing me to buy extras immediately.
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Key Features Summary
I want to make the main features clear before I go into performance and handling. Here’s a quick breakdown of what the lens offers and why those items matter to me as a photographer.
| Feature | What it means for me |
|---|---|
| Focal length (100–400mm) | Equivalent to 200–800mm on MFT — ideal for distant subjects like birds and wildlife. |
| Aperture f/5–6.3 | Not a fast lens, but typical for lightweight super-telephoto zooms; manageable in good light or with stabilization. |
| Optical elements: 3 ED, 2 HR, 2 Super HR | Designed to reduce chromatic aberration and distortion; helps with sharpness and contrast. |
| ZERO coating | Reduces flare and ghosting in backlit situations, improving color fidelity and contrast. |
| Built-in IS (up to 3 stops) | Helps when shooting handheld at long focal lengths; gives me extra flexibility without a tripod. |
| MSC autofocus | Smooth and silent AF suitable for both stills and video. |
| Weather-sealed | I can use it outdoors in dust, light rain, or cold without worrying as much about the elements. |
| Removable rotating tripod collar | Allows stable mounting on a tripod or monopod and makes composition easier. |
| Teleconverter support (MC-14, MC-20) | Extends reach to a 1600mm equivalent with tradeoffs in aperture and AF performance. |
I like that the spec list gives a clear sense of what this lens is aimed at: long reach, portability, and outdoor use.
Design and Build
I found the lens design to strike a comfortable balance between ruggedness and lightness. It’s clearly engineered to be portable for long field sessions where I might be hiking to vantage points or tracking birds.
Materials and finish
The lens feels solid without being overly heavy; there’s a reassuring heft but not the bulk of pro-grade super-telephotos. The weather sealing gives me the confidence to use it in less-than-perfect conditions without constant worry. I also appreciated the removable rotating tripod collar — it’s sturdy and makes switching between portrait and landscape orientations quick and easy.
Size and weight
Because it targets Micro Four Thirds cameras, the lens is much lighter and smaller than full-frame 200–800mm equivalents. That compactness matters to me on long hikes because it reduces fatigue and allows me to stay mobile longer. The lightweight design is one of its biggest strengths for field work.
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Optical Performance
Optical performance is where I spent most of my time testing this lens. The combination of ED, HR, and Super HR elements plus ZERO coating gave me predictable results across a range of shooting conditions.
Sharpness and resolving power
I found center sharpness to be consistently good across the zoom range, especially when stopped down a little from maximum aperture. Edges and corners soften slightly at the longest focal lengths and widest apertures, which is not unusual for a long tele zoom of this size and weight. Stopping down by one or two stops improved corner performance significantly.
Chromatic aberration and coatings
The three ED elements and special coatings made a noticeable difference in minimizing color fringing around high-contrast edges. I still saw some lateral chromatic aberration in very demanding high-contrast scenes at the longest focal length, but it was easy to correct in post and rarely detracted from the final images. The ZERO coating also helped keep flare under control in backlit scenes, improving contrast and color fidelity.
Image Stabilization and Autofocus
For a long-reach lens that’s intended to be used handheld much of the time, stabilization and AF behavior are crucial. I tested both in handheld and tripod setups.
Image stabilization (IS)
Built-in IS provides up to 3 stops of shake reduction, which I found to be very useful for handheld shots at longer focal lengths. With careful technique and stable posture, I could get sharp shots at shutter speeds slower than I would otherwise have attempted. The IS worked reliably and paired well with in-body stabilization on Olympus PEN and OM-D bodies.
Autofocus behavior (MSC)
Autofocus is silent and smooth thanks to the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) system. For stills, it was precise and generally fast, even with moving subjects. For video, the quiet AF allowed me to record without the lens motor being intrusive on the audio track. Continuous AF tracking worked well for predictable subject motion such as birds in steady flight or athletes moving across a field, but like most long telephoto zooms, highly erratic fast motion sometimes required manual intervention or burst mode selection with focus tracking.
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Handling and Ergonomics
The small details make a lens pleasant or frustrating to use in the field, and this lens gets many of those details right.
Balance and controls
I liked the balance when mounted on a compact OM-D body; the system felt heel-weighted but manageable for extended handheld use. The zoom and focus rings have a good tactile feel — not too loose, not too stiff — which made manual adjustments intuitive. The tripod collar allowed proper balance when I mounted the lens on monopods or larger tripods.
Tripod collar and mounting
The removable rotating tripod collar is a practical feature that I reached for often when I needed longer, stabilized sessions. It’s simple to remove if I want to travel lighter, yet sturdy when in use. The collar also makes it easy to switch orientation quickly without changing the camera position.
Low-Light Performance and Aperture Considerations
The f/5–6.3 maximum aperture is on the slower side, and that influences how I shoot in low light.
Practical shooting in low light
In dawn or dusk birding sessions I found it helpful to pair the lens with an OM-D body that has strong high-ISO performance and in-body image stabilization (IBIS). I frequently bumped ISO higher than I would with a faster lens, but the combination of IS and good sensor performance yielded usable images. If I need faster shutter speeds for action in low light, I sometimes rely on raising ISO and using burst mode to get a usable keeper rate.
Teleconverters impact
The lens supports the MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters, enabling even greater reach. I tested teleconverter use on a few outings and noticed the expected tradeoffs: increased focal length at the expense of a smaller effective aperture and a slight drop in autofocus speed and low-light capability. If subject distance and reach matter more than top-end image quality, the converters are a useful option. If I need the best possible image quality in low light, I prefer shooting without them.
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Weather Sealing and Durability
I appreciate a lens I can rely on outdoors, and this lens’s weather-sealing is a practical advantage.
Field reliability
I used the lens in misty and dusty conditions and never had issues from environmental exposure. The sealing gives me peace of mind on long trips where weather might change quickly. The finish and build showed no signs of early wear during my time using it.
Practical Image Quality in the Field
I took the lens on multiple outings focusing on wildlife, birds, and a bit of sports. Here are my impressions across those use cases.
Wildlife and bird photography
This is where the lens truly shines for me. The long reach made it much easier to fill the frame on skittish birds and distant mammals without getting too close. The combo of reach, IS, and compactness allowed me to stay mobile and still get usable, often excellent, photos. For small birds in flight I found the keeper rate to be decent though not as high as with heavier, more specialized super-telephotos; still, the portability tradeoff is often worth it.
Sports and action
For field sports where I need reach rather than shallow depth of field, this lens performed admirably. Tracking players across a field was manageable, especially with good light and continuous AF. The aperture range made freezing very fast motion harder in dim light, so I aimed to shoot in brighter conditions or used higher ISOs to maintain shutter speeds.
Landscape and distant subjects
I also used the lens for distant landscape details and found it useful for capturing compressed perspective and isolating distant subjects. The sharpness is sufficient for print and high-resolution crops when careful technique and stabilization are used.
Sample Settings and Practical Tips
I want to share settings I used successfully in typical scenarios, since practical guidance can save time in the field.
Birds perched / stationary wildlife
- Aperture: f/6.3–f/8 for improved corner sharpness
- Shutter speed: 1/500s or faster (adjust by size and movement of subject)
- ISO: 200–1600 depending on light
- Stabilization: IS on; pair with IBIS if available
- Focus mode: Single AF with spot area or small AF point
Birds in flight / fast action
- Aperture: widest available (f/5–6.3) to allow faster shutter
- Shutter speed: 1/1000s or faster for small birds; 1/500–1/800s for larger birds
- ISO: 800–3200 as needed
- Stabilization: IS on for handheld panning
- Focus mode: Continuous AF (C-AF) with tracking, use burst mode
Handheld long reach shooting
- Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 for a balance of sharpness and shutter speed
- Shutter speed: Try 1/(focal length equivalent) rule adjusted for IS (e.g., with 400mm on MFT = 800mm equivalent, try 1/1000s as target; you may reduce with IS)
- Use steady stance and tuck elbows against body to maximize sharpness
I found that using a high frame-rate mode and careful selection in post helped pull out keepers from fast-moving sequences.
Teleconverter Use (MC-14, MC-20)
Using teleconverters can be tempting for extra reach, but I’ll be blunt about tradeoffs from my experience.
MC-14 (1.4x)
This converter gives me more reach with a smaller hit to autofocus and image quality. It’s a good compromise when I need a bit of extra reach, and in bright conditions it’s very usable. I still slow down to confirm AF accuracy and increase shutter speeds where possible.
MC-20 (2.0x)
The 2x converter doubles reach but imposes a more noticeable drop in sharpness, contrast, and autofocus speed/accuracy, especially in lower light. I use it selectively for subjects where distance is critical and I can afford lower keeper rates or higher ISO. For me, the MC-20 is a tool of last resort rather than the default.
Comparison with Alternatives
I compared this lens mentally and practically against a few other options available to Micro Four Thirds users. I won’t list every model, but here are the general tradeoffs I considered.
Against heavier pro super-telephoto primes
- Pros: Much lighter and more portable; affordable relative to pro primes.
- Cons: Not as fast in aperture, less ultimate resolution and shallower depth-of-field control. I sacrifice some image quality for mobility.
Against other 100–400mm type zooms (from other brands)
- Pros: The weather sealing, ZERO coating, and optical element mix make it competitive in contrast and flare control. The MSC AF is smooth and quiet and works nicely in video.
- Cons: Alternatives may offer slightly different balance points (weight, autofocus tuning, price). I found the Olympus lens to be a great overall package for its size.
Pros and Cons
I always weigh strengths and weaknesses so I can recommend the lens for specific users.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable for its reach
- Strong reach for wildlife and distant subjects (200–800mm equivalent)
- Effective ZERO coating and specialized elements reduce aberrations and flare
- Built-in IS up to 3 stops pairs well with IBIS
- Weather-sealed and durable for outdoor use
- MSC AF is quiet and good for video as well as stills
- Useful bundled accessories for immediate field use
Cons
- Maximum aperture of f/5–6.3 limits low-light performance and shallow depth-of-field options
- Corner softness at the longest focal lengths unless stopped down
- Teleconverters reduce AF speed and image quality, especially the 2x converter
- Not a replacement for heavier pro-grade primes in terms of ultimate resolution for big prints
I found the pros outweigh the cons for my style of shooting, especially when mobility and reach are priorities.
Who This Lens Is For
I think this lens suits photographers who prioritize reach and portability. If I were describing the ideal user, it would be:
- Birdwatchers and wildlife photographers who need long reach without lugging heavy glass.
- Sports photographers focused on outdoor field sports where long focal lengths are essential.
- Photographers who frequently travel or hike to shooting locations and need a compact super-telephoto solution.
- Hybrid stills/video shooters who benefit from MSC’s quiet AF and optical stabilizing features.
If you prioritize the absolute highest image quality in low light or require the fastest autofocus for very high-speed erratic action, you might prefer a heavier, faster prime or a different system.
Practical Maintenance and Field Care
Part of owning a long telephoto is caring for it properly. I like to be proactive about maintenance.
Cleaning and protection
The included full cleaning kit is something I used immediately and found handy. I clean the front element carefully using a blower, microfiber and lens solution as needed, and I always use the cap keeper so lens caps don’t get lost. I also use a thin rain cover or a lens cozy for added protection on wet days.
Storage and transport
I transport the lens in a padded case or dedicated compartment in my backpack. Removing the tripod collar for travel reduces bulk, but I keep it handy because it makes long shoots much more comfortable.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
After spending extensive time with the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS Lens (V315070BU000) Bundle Including: 3 Piece Filter Kit, Flexible Tripod, Cap Keeper, Full Cleaning Kit, I can say I enjoy using it as a practical, highly portable long-reach tool. It delivers strong optical performance for its class, combined with real-world conveniences like weather sealing, effective coatings, and image stabilization. The bundled accessories make it easier to start shooting right away.
I recommend this lens to photographers who need serious reach without the weight of full-frame super-telephotos, who shoot primarily in good light or who have bodies with good IBIS, and who value portability for field work. If ultimate low-light performance or maximum image quality for very large prints is your primary concern, you may prefer a larger aperture prime; otherwise, this lens is an excellent balance of reach, performance, and usability.
If you’d like, I can summarize the most important points into a one-page checklist for buying decisions or suggest specific camera bodies and settings to pair with this lens based on your main subjects (birds, mammals, sports, or travel). Which subject do you shoot most often?
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