Olympus EC-20 review. Sometimes, you see a perfect shot just out of reach — a rare bird, the sparkle in your kid’s eye across the soccer field, or that unrepeatable candid moment in the city. You wish your lens could stretch, just a bit further. The truth is, for Olympus fans, there’s a little-known secret that unlocks a new world of possibilities: the Olympus EC-20 2x Teleconverter.
What Is the EC-20, and Why Bother?
Let’s get this out of the way: a teleconverter isn’t magic, but it sure feels like it when you use it right. The EC-20 sits between your Zuiko lens and your Olympus camera body, instantly doubling the focal length of your lens. That means your 150mm lens now acts like a 300mm, but you haven’t added a kilo to your kit. You lose two stops of light, yes — but you gain the chance to make shots that were simply impossible before.
Back in the heyday of the E-series DSLRs, I never left home without my EC-20. Even now, in a world obsessed with smartphone zooms and AI cropping, nothing beats the thrill of real optical reach. For wildlife, sports, or even dramatic cityscapes, this tiny tool keeps you nimble and creative.
Main Features: More Than Just Numbers
- 2x optical zoom: Your reach is instantly doubled. Suddenly, sports, birds, or that perfect candid are right in your viewfinder.
- Works with any Zuiko Digital lens: Telephotos, macros, even fisheyes for creative experiments. You aren’t stuck with one lens type.
- Ultra-compact: At 41mm thick and 225g, it never feels like a burden. It’s “just in case” gear you’ll actually use.
- Weather-sealed: Built for the real world, not just studio shelves. Mine survived rain, dust, and one embarrassing drop into the grass.
- Impressive optical design: Seven elements in five groups, made for digital sensors, with image quality that surprises even the skeptics.
What’s in the Box?
- Olympus EC-20 2x Zuiko Digital Teleconverter
- Soft case (LSC-0814)
- Lens Cap (BC-1)
- Rear Cap (LR-1)
- Instruction manual
- Warranty card
How Does It Feel to Shoot With?
Here’s where the Olympus EC-20 review gets personal. I remember a spring morning, hiking with just the EC-20, a 70-300mm, and my E-620. With the converter, I caught shots of deer that would’ve just been tiny brown blurs. For macro? Mount it on the 35mm macro and you’ll see the hidden universe in every flower petal. The light loss is there — f/2.8 becomes f/5.6 — but with modern sensors and a steady hand (or Olympus’s stellar IBIS), you’ll make it work.
And let’s talk about travel: would you rather pack one teleconverter, or carry a second (and third) giant lens? I’ll never forget wandering European cities with the EC-20 in my jacket pocket, ready for whatever showed up around the next corner. This is the kind of creative freedom that keeps photography fun.
Any Drawbacks?
Of course, it’s not perfect. Autofocus slows a bit in low light. You have to get used to shooting at smaller apertures. If you need pro-level sharpness at every pixel, sometimes you’ll see a bit of softness or reduced contrast. But honestly? For 99% of users, the EC-20 is more than good enough. It’s the tool that helps you get the shot instead of missing it.
Still Worth It in the Age of High-Megapixel Sensors?
Absolutely. Even as sensors get sharper and digital zoom gets smarter, nothing replaces real optical reach. For anyone invested in the Olympus Zuiko system, the EC-20 2x Teleconverter remains a way to expand your creative world — affordably, simply, and with joy.
Quick Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 2x that of the attached lens |
| Lens Construction | 7 elements in 5 groups |
| Maximum Image Magnification | 2x the attached lens |
| Compatibility | All Zuiko Digital interchangeable lenses |
| Dimensions (D × L) | 2.7″ × 1.6″ (68mm × 41mm) |
| Weight | 7.9oz (225g) |
Bottom line: The Olympus EC-20 2x Teleconverter is the little piece of kit you’ll wonder how you lived without. It’s old-school, yes, but still delivers real-world value. For Olympus shooters who want to do more with less, it’s an easy win.
Want details? Visit the official Olympus EC-20 product page or check the Wikipedia article on teleconverters.
Looking for more Olympus lens tips? Read our Olympus lens guides.
