OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO Lens

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro is sized perfectly for Micro Four Thirds cameras and includes weather protection, strong optical performance, and a very useful macro capability.

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  Outstanding optics, Compact, all-weather build, 1:4 macro magnification, Metal exterior, Minimal focus breathing

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  Not stabilized, Not as bright as F2.8 zooms, Omits manual focus clutch

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–45 mm f/4.0 PRO is a very well-put-together lens and an excellent addition to the system. If you buy a Micro 4/3 camera nowadays you are really spoilt for choice when it comes to standard zoom lenses.

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  solid, sealed casing,, excellent image quality in the frame centre,, good image quality on the edge of the frame up from the maximum relative aperture,, moderate longitudinal chromatic aberration,, low lateral chromatic aberration,, sensible coma correction,, slight astigmatism,, quiet, fast, and...

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  very high distortion on RAW files,, noticeable vignetting on RAW files,, performance against bright light should have been better.

Andy Westlake tests Olympus's latest tiny, premium, weather-sealed zoom

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  Superb optics, Weather-sealed construction, Impressive close-up capability

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  Can be susceptible to flare

The standard zoom has much merit, saving us changing lenses constantly and offering a versatile set of focal lengths. The focal length is a vital aspect and here the usefulness of have that ultra-wide 12mm (24mm-equivalent) cannot be underestimated.

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  Very good sharpness at wider apertures, Excellent flare control, Very low distortion, Well-controlled CA, Fairly priced, Very light and compact, Weather sealed, Beautifully made

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  Diffraction takes edge off sharpness at small apertures, f/4 aperture may not suit some applications

Good \'go anywhere and everywhere\' companion for my OM-D EM1-ii. It is a light, smallish and versatile lens with constant aperture that delivers very sharp pictures from corner to corner.

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  Constant aperture, close focus, razor sharp, light weight, solid build, sensible zoom of 12-45mm (24-90mm equiv).

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  Maximum f4; distortion from 12 till 17mm; vignetting at maximum aperture (there is no DxO module yet)

Comparing this lens to the one I got in my OM-D M5 MkIII kit, a Zuiko 12-200 f4, it provides a much sharper image and is very ligt and compact. Using it to shoot video I was pleased with the speed of the autofocus.

A fantastic lens, very sharp and it also gets very close for macro, I love the clutch that shows the peaking focus etc my favourite lens at the moment.Best wishesTOM

A light, sharp (at all focal lengths) lens that is a well-engineered pleasure to use. Sent very promptly and at a competitive price.