This lens adopts a floating-type inner focusing system with three drive systems to achieve high image quality regardless of the focus distance (from landscapes to 1:1* macro shooting). ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and HR (High Refractive index) elements are employed in the fixed groups, while HR and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements are employed in the focusing groups. This optical design makes it possible to remove chromatic aberrations that tend to occur with macro lenses. This lens boasts even better image quality than the Zuiko Digital 50mm F2.0 Macro, which is well-known for its excellent image quality.

*Equivalent to 2x on 35mm film camera.
 

To obtain true circular defocusing even at the widest aperture (F2.8), this lens directs light rays to the peripheral areas. The effect is to minimise vignetting to obtain circular defocusing, particularly in the macro domain. The lens optics is designed to eliminate double-line defocusing, which results in the blurred area being contoured with dual lines, and the occurrence of edges being coloured due to chromatic aberrations.

ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) Coating is applied to the lens surface to eliminate ghosts and flares that used to be difficult to reduce because of their high transparency. ZERO Coating boasts clear image quality even under challenging conditions such as a backlit environments.

The finely detailed lens barrel provides a more secure grip. Other features such as the Focus Limit switch and a shooting distance/magnification indicator window enhance your macro shooting experience together with the sharp image quality. This lens makes it easier to enjoy hand-held macro shooting and, when combined with the OM-D E-M1 or E-M5 camera, provides maximum stability thanks to a powerful 5-axis image stabilisation mechanism that can compensate for shifting of the camera during macro shooting.

The Focus Limit switch sets the range of focusing distance to enable faster focusing.

1x

Adjusting the indicator to 1:1 will set the focus distance to the shortest (0.19m).

Close-up

The focus is set in the range from 0.19 to 0.4m.

Normal

The focus is set in the range from 0.19 to ∞.

Landscape

The focus is set in the range from 0.4m to ∞.The magnification is set to 1:8 (0.125x) when set to this index.

An indicator window showing shooting distance/magnification is placed on the lens barrel. This indicator window shows the entire focus area and thereby letting you know the focus point instantly. It also prevents you from turning the focus ring in the wrong direction and greatly enhances the shooting control and precision at manual focusing. The ED 60mm F2.8 Macro is the only macro lens* for compact system cameras that features such an indicator.

*As of 17th September 17 2012

The MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism is the latest in optical design technology for achieving fast and silent focusing with a lightweight form and minimum number of lenses. The gears have been removed, eliminating operational noise. This mechanism drives the focusing lens directly using a metallic shaft and feed screws (screw drive) to enable fast, smooth, quiet, precise auto focusing.