These are the best Olympus lenses for bird photography when you want long, sharp reach, fast tracking, and weather-sealed reliability in a handholdable kit that thrives in blinds, wetlands, forests, and coastal wind. The gold standard is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150–400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO (300–1000mm equiv. with the built-in teleconverter), a stabilized, tank-tough super-tele that pairs with OM bodies for Sync IS, fast AF, and agile balance—perfect for birds-in-flight, distant shorebirds, and tight portraits without hiking a full-frame rig. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO (600mm equiv.) is the handheld prime for tack-sharp detail, stellar subject isolation, and remarkable stability; add the MC-14 (1.4x) for 420mm f/5.6 (840mm equiv.) or the MC-20 (2x) for 600mm f/8 (1200mm equiv.) while retaining weather sealing and excellent contrast. For flexible, budget-friendlier reach, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 100–400mm f/5.0–6.3 IS (200–800mm equiv.) delivers crisp files, close-focus “near-macro” for small songbirds, and OIS that plays nicely with IBIS; it also supports teleconverters for even longer coverage on bright days. Zoo and field shooters who want speed and versatility will love the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40–150mm f/2.8 PRO (80–300mm equiv.)—razor sharp with fast AF and a focus limiter—and it transforms with MC-14/MC-20 into a compact birding combo for larger raptors, herons, and perched subjects at dawn or dusk. Hikers chasing light but needing reach can grab the featherweight M.Zuiko Digital ED 75–300mm f/4.8–6.7 II (150–600mm equiv.) for daytime safaris and travel where every ounce matters. New-school super-tele options like the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150–600mm f/5–6.3 IS (300–1200mm equiv.) maximize distant detail with optical stabilization, robust sealing, and impressive close-focus, letting you isolate plumage textures and catch-light at extreme focal lengths. Across the lineup, Olympus ZERO coatings keep backlit feathers clean of flare, internal focusing sustains balance for quick pans, and focus-limiter switches reduce hunting through branches and reeds. Paired with OM-1/OM-5 features—AI Bird Detection AF that grabs eyes through clutter, blackout-free bursts, Pro Capture to buffer pre-shutter wing-beats, class-leading IBIS for steady framing at 800–1200mm equivalent—you can freeze takeoffs, track erratic flight paths, and nail quiet moments on the perch. For wetlands and storms, prioritize sealed PRO glass (150–400, 300/4, 40–150/2.8); for maximum handheld range, reach for 100–400 or 150–600; for the brightest backgrounds and creamy isolation, the 300/4 prime with TCs is a standout; and for travel or zoos, the 40–150/2.8 plus MC-14 balances speed, portability, and flexibility. Practical tips: use the body’s focus limiter and AF-case tuning to match species behavior, keep shutter speeds high (1/2000s+ for BIF, 1/1000s for perched with IBIS/OIS), engage Pro Capture for launch sequences, and lean on close-focus at long focal lengths to turn busy habitats into soft, color-washed backdrops. Whether you’re tracking terns at the shoreline, owls at dusk, or hummingbirds in garden shade, the best Olympus lenses for bird photography combine extreme reach, stabilization, and weather-sealed confidence—delivering crisp feathers, bright eyes, and decisive-moment wing positions without the bulk of larger formats.