Size, weight, build quality, performance.

None, in my opinion.

This is a truly wonderful lens. In my opinion, it symbolizes all that the Zuiko lens line stands for. Small, light, well built and excellent optics. I have used a Zuiko 24mm lens for many years now, and it is one of the first optics I turn to when walking, on holiday, or just messing around. The 84 degree angle of view requires that some thought is given to composition, but is not as demanding as wider (21mm) lenses. I find that images can be a bit soft around the edges at f2.8, but once stopped down to F5.6 the results are razor sharp. Interesting close focus results can be gained when this lens is mounted onto a 7mm extension tube. All in all, one of my favorite lenses.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Zuiko 21mm f2 lens.

Compact, light, rugged, good contrast. Uses 49mm filters and usually comes with a lens hood (the 28mm hood will work if no filters are mounted on the lens.) I know of no comparable sized lens for it''s focal length and speed.

Mine has a noticeable amount of barrel distortion on architectural subjects. Buy the Zuiko 28mm f3.5 on eBay for around $50 and have one of the best architectural wideangles for a song. (and a bit lighter, to boot)

My lens is one of the late model black nose multi-coated lenses. Overall the lens has given very good service. They are fairly easy to find used on eBay and large photo dealers that carry a selection of OM gear. The lens is no bigger than the 50mm f1.8 standard lens. My only problem with the lens is a small amount of barrel distortion that is noticeable in architectural photography, but rarely evident in nature photography. This is the best buy in a Zuiko general purpose superwideangle lens.

Customer Service

Never used Olympus service. I buy only used Olympus gear and Camtech does all my service work. They do a very good job.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28mm f2.8

Sharpness and color reproduction are excellent. Construction is superb, all metal. Images of landscapes are beautiful.

Slight barrel distortion.

Not as well corrected as the 24mm Nikkor, but images are still great. I shoot mostly landcapes and people with this lens, and have not been let down (by the lens - the photographer sometimes screws up).

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Olympus 28mm F2.8, Olympus 35mm F2.0, Nikon 24mm F2.8 AIS

Tiny. Nicely finished. Fair to good performance stopped down a bit. Durability is very good as proven by a photojournalist friend.

Only fair at wider apertures. Low contrast, microstructure clarity not very good unless stopped down.

I borrowed some OM gear as a point of comparison a while ago. I found that the image quality is fine on its own. If you shoot Nikon, Zeiss or Leica and compare, you will be sorely disappointed. OM's big advantage is small size and weight.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Leica R, Contax SLR

Sharp, comfortable wide angled viewing. Easy to compose images despite wide field of view.

N/A

I have had two samples of this lens. The first was stolen. The second was sold to help finance purchase of 90/2.0. I later upgraded to a 24/2.0 sample. I would hate to be without this focal length since for me it is the widest angle which still allows easy composition.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Zuiko 24/2.0

Very Compact
Good sharpness & contrast

Not Waterproof!

I owned the Olympus Zuiko 24mm/2.0 lens before this one and sold it because the 24/2.8 gave comparable performance with much lower weight and smaller size. The 24/2.8 has been very satisfying to me for street shooting and landscape work, and distortion has not been a problem - I have not noticed it in my images.

Customer Service

Dropped mine into the ocean mounted on an OM4Ti. The aperture leaves rusted, but new ones were available inexpensively from Olympus USA, and the lens is as good as new.
Parts from Olympus are hit and miss, however.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus Zuiko 21mm f2.0
Olympus Zuiko 21mm f3.5
Olympus Zuiko 24mm f2.0
Olympus Zuiko 28mm f2.0

Good, sharp 24. Good color. Has a nice "look" to its images.

None. I have not noticed excessive distortion as refered to in the first review.

Good all-around wide angle lens

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 24mm, Canon 24 2.8, Zeiss 25mm.

Sharp and very high contrast. Compact

Distortion

To much distortion for street-photography (buildings) good for nature and landscape.

Similar Products Used:

24 F2 has much less distortion but isn't as sharp