OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO vs OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO

The bottom line

These cover different focal lengths — the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO is 300mm, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO is 7-14mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO for super-telephoto, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO for wide-angle.

Choose the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO if…

  • You need more reach — it goes to 300mm vs 14mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
  • You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 300mm prime over a zoom.
  • You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
  • You like close-focus work — 0.48x magnification vs 0.08x.

Choose the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO if…

  • You want more light and background blur — f/2.8 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation.
  • You shoot wide — it starts at 7mm vs 300mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
  • You're on a budget — $1,299 vs $2,499 leaves more for other gear.
  • You want one-lens flexibility — a 7-14mm zoom covers what the fixed 300mm can't reframe.

Where they differ

  • Aperture: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO opens to f/2.8 vs the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO's f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
  • Focal range: OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO is 300mm, OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO is 7-14mm — different framing and reach.
  • Type: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO is a zoom (flexible framing), the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
  • Price: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO is $1,299, $1,200 under the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO.
  • Stabilisation: only the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
  • Close-up: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO reaches 0.48x magnification vs 0.08x — more for close-up and macro work.

Frequently asked

Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO or the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO better?

These cover different focal lengths — the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO is 300mm, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO is 7-14mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO for super-telephoto, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO for wide-angle.

Who should choose the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO?

Choose the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO if you need more reach — it goes to 300mm vs 14mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 300mm prime over a zoom. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't. Choose it if you like close-focus work — 0.48x magnification vs 0.08x.

Who should choose the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO?

Choose the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO if you want more light and background blur — f/2.8 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 7mm vs 300mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you're on a budget — $1,299 vs $2,499 leaves more for other gear. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 7-14mm zoom covers what the fixed 300mm can't reframe.

What is the main difference between the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO and the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO?

Aperture: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO opens to f/2.8 vs the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO's f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.

Product
Optical Design
Focal Length300mm7-14mm
Lens TypePrimeZoom
Optical Elements1718
Optical Groups1313
Aperture & Iris
Maximum Aperturef/4f/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22f/22
Aperture Blades97
Rounded ApertureYesYes
Coverage & Angle
Format CoverageMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
Lens MountMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
Angle of View114° – 75°
35mm Equivalent600-600mm14-28mm
Focus
AutofocusYesYes
Focus MotorDSPDSP
Focus LimiterYesNo
AF/MF SwitchYesYes
Min Focus Distance200 cm20 cm
Max Magnification0.48x0.08x
Stabilization & Video
Optical StabilizationYesNo
Aperture RingNoNo
Declickable ApertureNoNo
ParfocalNoNo
Internal ZoomNoNo
General
Price (MSRP)$2,499$1,299
Filter Size72mm
Diameter92.5mm88.5mm
Length227.2mm99.9mm
Weight1475g (3.25 lb)534g (1.18 lb)
Weather SealedYesYes
Tripod CollarYesNo