Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO reviews roundup: is it worth the price?
Released in 2013, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO is a fast general purpose zoom lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, with a constant aperture of f/2.8 and a focal range equivalent to a 24 – 80mm mm on a full frame camera. It’s tropicalized and resistant to the cold, and part of the Pro serie which garanty an exceptional quality build and optical properties.
Specs:
- Mount: Micro 4/3
- Full frame eq.: 24 – 80mm
- Optical stabilization: No
- Weather sealed: Yes
- Weight: 382g / 13.5 oz
- Min. aperture: f/2.8
- Max. aperture: f/22
- Minimum focus distance: 0.20 m (7.87″)
- Filter size: 62mm
- Constant f2.8 maximum aperture
- Focal length: 12 to 40 millimeter, minimum focus distance 7.87 inches (20 centimeter )
- Drip proof; Dust proof, splash proof, and freeze proof construction. Lens construction: 14 elements in 9 groups (Aspherical ED lens, 2 Aspherical lenses, DSA lens, 2 ED lenses, HD lens, 2 HR lense)
What do the critics think of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO ?
Overall, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO is an extremely versatile lens that provides amazing images for most types of situation: wide angle shots, portraits, landscapes, video production… Though it doesn’t allow to shoot macro, it’s still very good for occasional close-ups. It’s weather sealed and has a very robust construction, which makes it maybe a little heavy. Focus is instantaneous and accurate, and overall it has amazing optical performance with sharp images and nice contrast and colors.
Note that it extends out when zooming (it’s worth mentioning I guess).
In short, it’sprobably one of the best micro 4/3 lenses and a must-have if you need just one lens for travelling or if you’re tired of switching lenses and want to replace a couple of prime lenses.
Most reviews like…
- Robust build and design
- Constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range
- High overall optical quality
- Outstanding sharpness from maximum aperture
- Nice bokeh
- Ultra fast focus
Most reviews don’t like…
- Expensive
- No optical image stabilization
- Some distortions at large focal lengths
- Noticeably vignettes at f/2.8
For more infos about the positive and negatives sides of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO , check out the selection of reviews below:
Websites Reviews
Pcmag.com – 4.5/5 – Editor’s choice (‘The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens lives up to its moniker, delivering professional results when paired with a Micro Four Thirds camera.’)
Photographyblog.com – ★★★★☆½ Highly recommended (‘The Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro is a great lens for those Olympus Micro Four Thirds users who want an all-in-one solution to their everyday photography, videography and even macro needs. Photographers who require maximum sharpness and resolution and even faster maximum apertures will still be better served by one – or more – of the excellent, fast, sharp Micro Four Thirds primes, but the Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro is very hard to beat when judged on its versatility, build quality and price-performance, despite its rather steep asking recommended retail price. Highly Recommended!’)
Thephoblographer.com – Editor’s choice award – (‘What makes the lens so special is not only its excellent image quality which we can’t harp on enough, but the size, build quality, and speed in focusing. The Micro Four Thirds system has lenses that you really never want to stop down and that perform at their peak essentially wide open. Not only is that wonderful for many folks, but it is also part of the technicalities. Never before have folks wanted to do this more than with something along the lines of Leica M glass. With all this said, we can only give the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 our highest recommendation–and it is every bit deserving of our Editor’s Choice award for best mirrorless camera zoom lens.’)
Ephotozine.com – ✪✪✪✪½ Highly Recommended – (‘Those looking for a professional specified standard lens for their Micro Four Thirds camera are now spoilt for choice with offerings from Panasonic, and this lens from Olympus. This lens delivers outstanding sharpness through much of the zoom range at maximum aperture and sports a robust, dust and splash proof build, all while remaining compact and lightweight. The excellent performance of this lens will certainly win it many fans, that’s for sure.’)
Photoreview.com.au – 8.8/10 – Editor’s choice (‘ The 12-40mm f/2.8 lens is an impressive performer, delivering quality that rivals that of many DSLR+fast zoom pairings that target serious enthusiast photographers. But its great advantage is being able to do this in a more compact, lighter-weight unit. Fast focusing and near-silent AF operation also make this lens attractive. So what’s not to like? The relatively high price tag reflects both the build and optical quality of this lens. Neither comes cheap but if you’re prepared to pay the price, you’re unlikely to regret it. In every respect, this lens is well and truly worthy of our Editor’s Choice award.’)
Amazon users reviews
- Constant f2.8 maximum aperture
- Focal length: 12 to 40 millimeter, minimum focus distance 7.87 inches (20 centimeter )
- Drip proof; Dust proof, splash proof, and freeze proof construction. Lens construction: 14 elements in 9 groups (Aspherical ED lens, 2 Aspherical lenses, DSA lens, 2 ED lenses, HD lens, 2 HR lense)