Underwater photography lenses for Micro Four-Thirds cameras, showcasing wide-angle, mid-range, and macro options for capturing marine life, reefs, and detailed underwater shots.

If you're into underwater photography and own a Micro Four-Thirds camera like the Olympus OM1, E-M10 Mark IV, or Panasonic GH6 or GH7, you know that the right lens is crucial to getting stunning shots. So, let’s dive in and take a look at some of the best MFT lenses for underwater photography what works, what doesn’t, and why these lenses have become popular for many underwater photographers.

Wide-Angle Lenses: For Capturing the Big Picture

Wide-angle lenses are key for capturing the big picture. They let you shoot large marine life, wide coral reefs, and wrecks. Here are the top lenses that stand out in underwater wide-angle photography.

1. Panasonic 8mm Fisheye – Your Go-To for Close Focus Shots

If you’re looking to capture the widest scenes like coral reefs, schools of fish, or even large creatures like manta rays, then the Panasonic 8mm Fisheye is a top choice.

  • Why It’s Great: It offers a super-wide 180-degree angle of view, making it perfect for those expansive wide-angle shots. You can focus super close to your subject. In underwater photography, getting as close as possible is key to making your subjects stand out.
  • Drawbacks: The most obvious con is the strong barrel distortion, where straight lines near the edges of the frame appear curved. You need to get really close to your subject for it to fill the frame. This can be tricky if the subjects are skittish or if you're shooting in an area with limited subject variety.
  • Best For: Close-up shots of large creatures, reefs, wrecks.

2. Olympus 8mm F1.8 Fisheye – A Sharper, More Beautiful Option

Looking for something that’s sharp, and has a stunning bokeh? The Olympus 8mm F1.8 Fisheye could be your new favorite lens.

  • Why It’s Great: This lens is incredibly sharp, even in low light, and the bokeh it produces (the blurred background) is beautiful. It’s a wonderful option for close-focus wide shots.
  • Drawbacks: It is on the pricier side, but the image quality and versatility make it worth considering.
  • Best For: Sharp, detailed close-focus shots of creatures, reefs, and wrecks.

3. Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 Pro – Versatile for Marine Life and Portraits

The Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 Pro lens is a fantastic choice for those who want a lens that’s both wide and versatile. This lens has got you covered for most wide angle subjects!

  • Why It’s Great: It offers excellent sharpness, great contrast, and performs well in low light. You can use it for both wide-angle shots of larger marine creatures like sharks.
  • Drawbacks: You’ll need a larger dome port for the sharpest results, which adds to the cost and complexity of your setup.
  • Best For: Large marine life and split shots.

4. Panasonic 7-14mm F4 – The Budget-Friendly Option

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option but still want a solid wide-angle lens, the Panasonic 7-14mm F4 is an excellent choice.

  • Why It’s Great: This lens offers sharp images, especially for divers, wrecks, or sharks. It’s also more affordable than its f/2.8 brother.
  • Drawbacks: The corners aren’t as sharp at 7mm, and you’ll want to use a larger dome port for the sharpest corners. A bit more flare in comparison to the f/2.8 Pro lens.
  • Best For: Divers, wrecks, and those on a budget who still want good performance.

5. Olympus 9-18mm – Compact and Travel-Friendly

If you want a lens that’s light, compact, and perfect for travel, the Olympus 9-18mm is a great option.

  • Why It’s Great: It’s small, less expensive, lightweight, and easy to take on your dives without adding too much bulk to your gear. It’s also good for a mix of wide-angle shots and larger fish shots.
  • Drawbacks: It’s not as wide as a fisheye lens or 7-14mm lens (9-18mm 10 degrees less FOV), so it won’t give you that ultra-wide perspective as others.
  • Best For: Large marine life and traveling light.

6. OM System M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4.0 Pro Lens –  A Versatile All-Rounder for Wide Angle Shots

Looking for a lens that can handle wide-angle shots and still give you the flexibility for various underwater subjects? The OM System M.Zuiko 8-25mm f/4.0 Pro is an excellent choice.

  • Why It’s Great: The 8-25mm zoom range offers flexibility for everything from wide marine to fish portrait. The constant f/4 aperture ensures consistent exposure, even in challenging underwater light conditions.
  • Drawbacks: Its tendency to cause reflections when shooting into the sun with an 8-inch dome port, requiring careful positioning or the use of an anti-reflection ring. 
  • Best For: Wide-angle shots of marine life, reefs, and portraits.

Mid-Range Lenses: Flexibility for Everyday Use

Mid-range zoom lenses are great for when you want flexibility without having to swap lenses constantly. Here are a few that I recommend for a variety of underwater subjects.

1. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ– A Solid All-Rounder

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ is often bundled with cameras, but don’t overlook it, it’s actually a solid choice for general underwater shooting.

  • Why It’s Great: It’s fast to focus and versatile enough for a range of subjects. While it’s not a true macro or wide angle lens, you can add a wet lens to get decent close-up shots or wide angle shots.
  • Drawbacks: It doesn’t offer true macro or wide-angle capabilities, so you’ll need additional accessories if you want more dedicated results.
  • Best For: Everyday underwater photography and those starting out.

2. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO

This lens offers a versatile zoom range, fast f/2.8 aperture, and outstanding image quality, making it a good choice for various subjects.

  • Why It’s Great: This lens offers exceptional quality with a fast f/2.8 aperture, while also providing the versatility of a mid-range zoom with standard close-focus capability.
  • Drawbacks: However, it doesn't quite excel for underwater use compared to more specialized wide-angle or macro lenses.
  • Best For: Great for medium to larger subjects, like turtles or sharks, that you can't get close to, and perfect for pool shoots. For other situations, we recommend different lenses.

Macro Lenses: Get Up Close

Macro lenses are essential if you’re into shooting tiny critters like nudibranchs, shrimp, and all those little details that make underwater life so amazing. These two lenses are fantastic for getting up close.

1. Panasonic Leica 45mm Macro – A Sharp Performer

For sharpness and quality, the Panasonic Leica 45mm Macro is one of the best options for underwater macro photography.

  • Why It’s Great: This lens is incredibly sharp, with a minimum focusing distance of just 15cm, making it the best choice when you dive in murky conditions.
  • Drawbacks: It can be a little slow to focus, like all macro lenses.
  • Best For: Macro life, detailed underwater shots, and shooting in murky waters.

2. Olympus 60mm Macro – More Working Distance

The Olympus 60mm Macro lens offers more working distance, making it ideal for photographing shy or small creatures without disturbing them.

  • Why It’s Great: It gives you that extra working distance, allowing you to get great shots without scaring off your subject. The extra working distance also makes it ideal for using a wet diopter for supermacro shots.
  • Drawbacks: While it's good for macro, it has slow autofocus and isn't the best choice for diving in poor conditions because of the longer focal distance.
  • Best For: Super-macro shots and shy critters.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Lens for Underwater Photography

Selecting the right lens for underwater photography depends on what you're shooting and your setup.

For wide-angle shots, the Panasonic 8mm Fisheye and Olympus 8mm F1.8 Fisheye are top choices for large subjects, while the Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 Pro gives more versatility. If you're on a budget, the Panasonic 7-14mm F4 works well, and the Olympus 9-18mm is great for compact, travel-friendly options.

For mid-range flexibility, the Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm is a solid all-rounder, and the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO offers superior quality for various subjects.

For macro photography, the Panasonic Leica 45mm is sharp, while the Olympus 60mm Macro provides a longer working distance for shy subjects.

Choose based on your needs; wide shots, versatility, or close-up detail and your underwater shots will stand out.