At the recent Photo Show (P&E Expo) held in Beijing, China, SG-Image (Shenguang), a rising optical brand known for its budget-friendly manual lenses, put two new autofocus (AF) lenses for the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount on display.
For MFT users who have been suffering from a drought of new prime lenses due to the market's heavy shift toward full-frame, this adds much-needed options for light and nimble "street photography lenses." Here is a summary of the key leaked specifications and features of the two unveiled lenses.
1. SG-Image AF 25mm f/1.8 (MFT Mount)
This prime lens covers a standard focal length equivalent to approximately 50mm in full-frame format. It is a model that ports the exact design to the MFT mount which previously received high praise when released for other APS-C bodies.
- Appearance & Build Quality: Solid metal finish.
- Weight: Around 145g (optimized for portability).
- Filter Thread: 52mm.
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3m to infinity.
- User Feedback & Expectations: It is highly regarded for its razor-sharp center sharpness and beautiful bokeh. It is expected to be a strong budget alternative to the Olympus 25mm f/1.8 or Panasonic 25mm f/1.7.
2. SG-Image AF 18mm f/2.2 (MFT Mount)
Equivalent to roughly 36mm, this "pancake-style" prime lens offers the most ideal focal length for all-around street photography. According to leaked photos from the show floor, it boasts an incredibly compact size, standing right next to an Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens.
- Appearance & Build Quality: Slightly thinner profile than the 25mm model, featuring a metal body.
- Filter Thread: 34mm (an exceptionally compact front element).
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.18m to infinity (highly advantageous for close-up street snaps).
- Expectations: It is highly anticipated as a light and fast daily street lens to replace the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 for those frustrated by its slow AF speed, or the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 for those disappointed by its image quality.
📝 Editor's Note
"The arrival of a third-party lens that perfectly embraces the core essence of the system: 'compact and lightweight.' If it delivers a premium metal build quality and decent AF performance at a price point in the mid-to-high $100s, it provides more than enough reason to dust off old Olympus PEN or Panasonic GX series cameras sitting in the closet."
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