12 Best M43 Lens for Street Photography (Top Picks 2024!)

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There is no rule on street photography. If you have a story and good eyes, you can bring that to life. This is the great mystery of street photography.

M43 means Micro Four Thirds. It is a camera sensor size used in mirrorless interchangeable camera systems. The Micro Four Thirds cameras are smaller and compact alternatives to the full-frame DSLRs.

But is there any best M43 lens for street photography? This article will tell you about the lenses and discuss them and which one should pick finally.

Best M43 Lenses At A Glance

Now I will discuss the lenses I have mentioned here. I will tell you the best and the worst things about the lenses and elaborately explain why you will pick these lenses and talk about the specs and features.

There are many brands to look for and certainly, there are many camera brands in the market as well.

So I will separate them by the brands and discuss the specs and the features:

Best Sony M43 Lens for Street Photography:

1. Sony FE 35mm f/1.8

Specs:

• Focal length: 35mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.8
• Lens Mount: Sony E
• Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• The angle of View: 63 degree
• Focus Range: 22.1 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.24x
• Lens Configuration: 11 elements 9 groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9. Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 55 mm
• Weight: 281g (Approx.)

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is a compact lens with a wide-angle focal length. This particular lens is being vastly used by street photographers for ages.

It is a Sony E mount lens so it is compatible with every Sony Micro Four Third camera.

The maximum aperture is f/1.8 takes images with a shallow depth of field as well as works amazingly in low light conditions. The 9 blades diaphragm gives a pleasing bokeh effect. And the autofocus is very fast as well.

The lens has a customizable focus hold button that allows you to fix the focus at a certain point. And the Linear Response manual focus control gives you tons of access to the lens.

Image quality wise the Forum Dpreview says this is one of the sharpest 35mm lenses they have tested and it is highly recommended.

In street photography, you need sharp images. This lens is well suited for it.

The lens body is dust and moisture-resistant so you can use it in harsh weather.

2. Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G

Specs:

• Focal length: 40mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/2.5
• Lens Mount: Sony E
• Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• The angle of View: 57 degree
• Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.23x
• Lens Configuration: 9 elements 9 groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 49 mm
• Weight: 173g (Approx.)

It is a versatile prime lens mainly used for street photography. The build quality is very solid and sophisticated and the lens is vastly used for a broad of situations.

It is a Sony E mount lens so it is compatible with every Sony Micro Four Third camera.

The maximum aperture is f/2.5 takes images with a shallow depth of field as well as works amazingly in low light conditions. The 7 blades diaphragm gives a pleasing bokeh effect. And the autofocus is very fast as well. The 49mm filter ring is comfortable to use in manual focusing.

The three aspherical components support more consistent sharpness across the frame.

The lens has two linear motors that deliver quick and accurate autofocus performance. And the lens is compatible with the Sony Alpha and A series. Combining them you can get a very fast autofocus system.

It is very lightweight and comfortable to use well suited to both full-frame and APS-C bodies.

The lens body is dust and moisture-resistant so you can use it in harsh weather.

Best Canon M43 Lens for Street Photography:

3. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM

Specs:

• Focal length: 35 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.8
• Lens Mount: Canon RF
• Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• The angle of View: 63 degree
• Focus Range: 17 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.5x
• Lens Configuration: 11 elements 9 groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: Yes
• Filter Size: 52 mm
• Weight: 305g (Approx.)

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is a lightweight and close-focusing lens with a very wide-angle field of view. This is a prime lens mainly used for Canon RF mounted Mirrorless cameras. And vastly used for street photography.

It has a Super Spectra coating that helps an advanced optical design by reducing flare and ghosting. The lens works great for better contrast and color accuracy when operating in bright or dark conditions.

Thanks to the large aperture of f/1.8, the 9 diaphragm blades give a very low light performance.

It has an optical image stabilizer that helps to minimize the shaky and blur of the image.

The STM motor makes the autofocus fast and smooth ideal for recording videos.

The rounder diaphragm makes good bokeh in the image as well.

4. Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Specs:

• Focal length: 50 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.8
• Lens Mount: Canon RF
• Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• The angle of View: 46 degree
• Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.25x
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 43 mm
• Weight: 160g (Approx.)

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 is one of the best 50mm lenses Canon has ever made. It is the #1 best seller on BHphotovideo.com and Amazon.

The lens is very compact in design and the sleek designed normal-length lens offers a versatile field of view. It is one of the best m43 lenses for street photography. The large 1.8 aperture makes every photo great in low light performance.

The optical system has a Super Spectra coating to reduce flare and ghosting for better contrast and color accuracy, as well as one aspherical element to reduce spherical aberrations and distortion.

It is a normal-length prime lens for Canon RF-mount Digital cameras. The STM motor makes the autofocus fast and smooth ideal for recording videos.

It has a control ring that is used to adjust exposure, aperture, and ISO.

Best Pentax M43 Lens for Street Photography:

5. Pentax 40mm f/2.8

Specs:

• Focal length: 40 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/2.8
• Lens Mount: Pentax K
• Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
• The angle of View: 39 degree
• Focus Range: 40 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.13x
• Lens Configuration: 5 elements 4 groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 49 mm
• Weight: 88 g (Approx.)

The Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 is a pancake lens for Pentax K mount cameras. It is a very slim lens around 0.6 inches in thickness.

The lens is used for street photography as the angle of view is pretty large. The optics have a high-grade multi-layer coating that minimizes lens flare and ghosting.

The body has an SP Protect coating to effectively shield it from dirt, oil, and fingerprints. The seven diaphragms ensure the shallow depth of field in the images.

Best Panasonic M43 Lens for Street Photography:

6. Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7

Specs:

• Focal length: 20 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/16 to F/1.
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 57 degree
• Focus Range: 20 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.13x
• Optical Design: 7 Elements and 5 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 46 mm
• Weight: 87g (Approx.)

It is a 40mm equivalent prime lens for Micro Four-thirds mirrorless cameras. The large aperture works great in low light conditions and creates a good depth of field.

Two aspherical elements reduce the spherical aberrations and distortion to make the footage sharp and clear.

The lens is the pancake form factor. It’s only 1 inch in thickness and that makes a great lens for street photography. The bokeh is nice thanks to the seven-blade diaphragm. AF can be manually adjusted for more precise control.

7. Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7

Specs:

• Focal length: 25 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.7
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 47 degree
• Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.14x
• Optical Design: 8 Elements, 7 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 43 mm
• Weight: 125g (Approx.)

The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm is a prime lens for Micro Four Third mirrorless cameras. The 50mm equivalent lens with a bright f/1.7 maximum aperture gives better control of depth of field and low-light photography.

The stepping motor delivers fast and smooth autofocus. The rounded seven-blade diaphragm creates a smooth out-of-focus effect.

8. Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7

Specs:

• Focal length: 15 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/16 to F/1.7
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 72 degree
• Focus Range: 20 cm to Infinite
• Optical Design: 9 Elements, 7 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 46 mm
• Weight: 115g (Approx.)

It is a fast and versatile lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The 72 degrees angle of view gives a very wide field of view.

The f/1.7 large aperture gives a very good amount of light to shoot in low-light conditions. Three aspherical components are used to eliminate spherical aberration and distortion.

The Autofocus is fast and smooth ideal for shooting and recording videos. The Nice metal aperture control ring is for manual focus. The seven-blade diaphragm makes a good bokeh effect on the image.

This is the best M43 lens for street photography if you are using any Panasonic Micro Four Third Camera.

9. Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8

Specs:

• Focal length: 12 to 35 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/2.8
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 84 degrees to 46 degrees
• Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.17x
• Optical Design: 14 Elements and 9 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: Yes
• Filter Size: 58 mm
• Weight: 305g (Approx.)

This is a truly versatile lens with a wide-angle field of view and zoom functionality. The lens is greatly used for taking portraits and street photography.

It is a standard zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. The lens provides a 24 to 70-mm equivalent focal length. The lens has a POWER optical image stabilizer that reduces the appearance of camera shake. This O.I.S. system is also compatible with Dual I.S. for improved stabilization performance.

To reduce the chromatic and spherical aberrations the lens has four aspherical elements, which ensures the sharpness and accurate color of the image. The Nano Surface Coating reduces flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color neutrality.

The lens has weather sealing that protects the lens from dust, and splash. The seven-blade diaphragm gives the lens a smooth and pleasing bokeh effect.

The lens is a true all-in-one lens from Panasonic. It is a really good lens for street photography. Or I say every Micro Four Third camera user has to have this lens in his collection.

Best Olympus M43 Lens for Street Photography:

10. Olympus M. Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8

Specs:

• Focal length: 45 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.8
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 27 degree
• Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinite
• Optical Design: 9 Elements and 9 Groups
• Max Magnification: 0.11x
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 37 mm
• Weight: 116g (Approx.)

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8 is a sleek 90mm equivalent lens for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.

It has a very large aperture that shoots good photos in very low light conditions. It is a portrait-length lens for mirrorless cameras. As it is very compact in size and lightweight, it is considered one of the best m43 lenses for street photography.

The two extra-high refractive index elements make the photos less distorted and ensure the clarity and sharpness of the image.

The autofocus is smooth and fast, great for taking videos and photos. The seven rounded blades give a good bokeh in images.

In a word, it is a versatile lens to use. The 45mm focal length is good enough to cover a large distance and the build quality is good as well.

11. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8

Specs:

• Focal length: 17 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.8
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 65 degree
• Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinite
• Optical Design: 9 Elements and 6 Groups
• Max Magnification: 0.08x
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 46 mm
• Weight: 120g (Approx.)

It is a wide-angle lens for the Micro Four Thirds cameras. The wide field of view and the f/1.8 aperture makes the camera amazing in low-light performance.

One DSA element and two aspherical elements make the photos less distorted and ensure the clarity and sharpness of the image.

The autofocus is smooth and fast, great for taking videos and photos. The seven rounded blades give a good bokeh in images. The manual focus clutch allows the lens to focus quickly and gives a nice focus control.

In general, it is a good M43 lens for street photography.

12. Olympus M. Zuiko 25mm f/1.8

Specs:

• Focal length: 25 mm
• Min and Max aperture: F/22 to F/1.8
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Lens Format Coverage: Micro Four Thirds
• The angle of View: 47 degree
• Focus Range: 23.88 cm to Infinite
• Max Magnification: 0.12x
• Optical Design: 9 Elements and 7 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Filter Size: 46 mm
• Weight: 136g (Approx.)

This lens has a quick f/1.8 maximum aperture, which controls the depth of field and creates selective focus effects, the large aperture also works really well in low-light conditions.

The focus is smooth and fast thanks to the MSC autofocus system. The two aspherical elements in the lens reduce the spherical aberrations and distortions and give very clear photos. The photos from this lens are very sharp and clear.

The bokeh is good as well as it has seven rounded diaphragm blades.

Overall the lens is a solid performer in street photography.

Which One to Choose, Finally?

In terms of street photography, there are some particular lenses you have to seek. The focal range has to be 35 to 50mm and as much larger an aperture as possible.

In the discussions, I have covered the lenses from popular lens brands. And they all are nearly the same in specs and features.

The 35mm lenses are the most used lens for street photography. And the 50mm equivalent lenses are in the second position.

Based on my experience and personal preference, I will go for the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 lens for street photography. It is a compact lens with a wide-angle focal length. And the 35mm and f/1.5 combined take really great photos.

I think this is the best M43 lens for street photography if you are using a Sony mirrorless system.

If you use Canon both of the lenses I mentioned here are very solid performers. You can get any of them without any doubt.

For the Panasonic camera, I will choose the Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 lens for the M43 system. The viewing angle is 72 degrees which give a very large field of view to cover. And the lens is very compact in design.

For Olympus cameras, I will go for the M. Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens. It is a wide-angle lens with a large aperture. 

The lenses I have mentioned here are the best m43 lens for street photography. And the lens selection is a completely personal opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

So I hope my assistance will help you to choose the best M43 lenses for Street photography. There are so many brands in the market and thousands of lenses. Picking the right one for your needs is so stressful. I have gathered all the information from various forums and blogs and presented you here. I can ensure you that every one of the lenses I have discussed, is fully capable of street photography.

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