Ask a photographer about fisheye lenses and you're likely not to get an apathetic response. Aficionados love the unique curved perspective that they bring to imagery, but there are some vocal detractors who wouldn't be caught dead using one. If you're in the former camp, and invested in the Micro Four Thirds camera system, the Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm F3.5 ($799.95) is an appealing, albeit expensive, lens. It's quite sharp, compact, and light, and it delivers a distorted view of the world that is in front of your camera—a full 180 degrees diagonally. The lens($797.99 at Amazon) is compact at just 2 by 2.4 inches (HD), and it weighs a light 5.8 ounces. Its hood is built-in, and there's a rear filter holder that can house a 22mm gelatin filter if you have the need to use one. The minimum focus distance is just 4 inches; the closer you get to your subject, the more pronounced the fisheye distortion will appear. The focus motor is a stepping design, which is quiet for video use,...
The Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm F3.5 captures everything in front of your camera in a unique curved perspective, but it's a love-it or hate-it lens.
Quite sharp; Offers a unique perspective; Compact
Not for everyone; Expensive