Name: Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0
Brand: Olympus

Technical Specifications of Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0

Overall score

6.4

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

wide-angle prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Micro Four Thirds

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Micro Four Thirds

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

46 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

Optics & Aperture

8.1

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

12 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

12 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

84 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

84 °

Focus & Controls

6.3

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

STM, MSC

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

Build & Handling

5.7

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

Lab Scores

5.5

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 vs the average camera lens

Why is Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 better than the average camera lens?

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0.8 lower f-number at telephoto end
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.2 vs 2.8
Has focus distance scale
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
49 mm shorter lens
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 is shorter than the average camera lens (43 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 is shorter than the average camera lens (43 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.43 mm vs 92 mm
21 mm narrower lens barrel
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 is slimmer than the average camera lens (56 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 is slimmer than the average camera lens (56 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.56 mm vs 77 mm
0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.2 m vs 0.3 m
0.9 T-stop lower transmission value
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2.2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.
What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.
When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2.2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.2.2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop
0.8 lower f-number at telephoto end
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
Has focus distance scale
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
49 mm shorter lens
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 is shorter than the average camera lens (43 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
21 mm narrower lens barrel
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 is slimmer than the average camera lens (56 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
0.9 T-stop lower transmission value
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2.2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.

Why is Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 worse than the average camera lens?

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2 fewer aperture blades
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
1 fewer low-dispersion elements
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
0.11 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Not weather-sealed
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No lens hood
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
Older release date
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 was released earlier than the average camera lens.
June 2011
2.3 % higher optical distortion
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (2.6% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
4 points lower DxOMark score
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (22 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
3 points lower DxOMark sharpness
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (13 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.
0.5 µm higher chromatic aberration
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a higher chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (9 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.
Not weather-sealed
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
2 fewer aperture blades
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
2.3 % higher optical distortion
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (2.6% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.
When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (2.6% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.2.6 % vs 0.3 %
No lens hood
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
What it is: Whether a matching lens hood is supplied in the box.
When it matters: When you want flare protection straight out of the box without buying extra accessories.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 89.1% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
Older release date
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 was released earlier than the average camera lens.
June 2011
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 was released earlier than the average camera lens.2011 vs 2016
4 points lower DxOMark score
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (22 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.
Importance: HIGH
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (22 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.22 vs 26
0.11 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.
When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.0.08 x vs 0.192 x
1 fewer low-dispersion elements
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm F2 0 has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.1 vs 2

Expert reviews

imaging-resource.com

15/07/2011

Summary of the review

Olympus 12mm f/2 ED M.Zuiko Digital - Imaging Resource

The Imaging Resource review praises the Olympus 12mm f/2 ED M.Zuiko Digital as an exceptionally sharp, premium all-metal wide-angle lens with excellent color, contrast, and fast, near-silent MSC autofocus. While it offers great performance, the review highlights drawbacks including a high price point, significant barrel distortion, lack of macro capability, and a required lens hood that is not included.

lenstip.com

03/08/2011

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12 mm f/2.0 EDGo to product viewer dialog for this item. review - LensTip.com

The LensTip review concludes that the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12 mm f/2.0 ED is a highly solid, compact wide-angle prime lens that fits the portable philosophy of the Micro Four Thirds system perfectly. It delivers excellent image sharpness in the frame centre, reaching impressive optical resolution metrics wide open at f/2.0 and peaking around f/4.0. LensTip praises its robust, all-metal barrel construction, highly efficient and near-silent MSC autofocus mechanism, effective lateral chromatic aberration control, and strong performance against bright light with minimal ghosting or flare. However, the lens has several optical compromises due to its compact nature, particularly when shooting in uncorrected RAW formats. LensTip notes that the lens exhibits very high distortion in RAW files (nearly -6% barrel distortion), meaning it heavily relies on in-camera software corrections for clean JPEGs. Additional drawbacks include significant vignetting at the maximum f/2.0 aperture (reaching up to a 40% brightness loss in the corners), a slightly high level of coma wide open, and a modest standard accessory kit that lacks a lens hood.

cnet.com

14/08/2011

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2.0 review - CNET

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2.0 is a premium wide-angle prime lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras that beautifully balances high-end design with stellar optical performance. Built with a sturdy, all-metal construction, the lens features 11 elements in 8 groups and a special "ZERO" (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating specifically engineered to minimize ghosting and flare. A standout design element is its unique "snapshot focus" mechanism; pulling the focus ring backward reveals a distance scale in meters and feet while shifting the ring's movement to mimic the mechanical, weighted feel of a true manual focus lens. Performance-wise, the lens delivers precise, quiet autofocus and exceptional image sharpness across the entire frame, showing minimal distortion despite its wide focal length and very little light drop-off even when shot wide open at its maximum f/2.0 aperture. The review highlights distinct advantages and minor drawbacks for prospective buyers. On the positive side, its major pros include gorgeous build quality, an incredibly sharp optical profile, smooth bokeh ideal for situational portraits, and the inclusion of a functional depth of field scale via the...

pcmag.com

03/04/2013

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Lens 12mm f2.0 Review - PCMag

The Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2.0 is an impressively compact, ultra-wide prime lens for Micro Four Thirds, offering a 24mm equivalent field of view that is ideal for landscapes and fast-action, tight-space shooting. It delivers exceptional sharpness across the frame, reaching 2,118 lines at f/2 and peaking at 2,490 lines at f/5.6, while featuring a quiet, fast autofocus motor and a physical snap-back manual focus clutch. However, the lens suffers from notable chromatic aberration, producing purple and green fringing in high-contrast scenes that require post-processing correction. Additionally, the premium $799.99 MSRP is high considering the lack of an included lens hood, leading PCMag to suggest the more affordable 17mm f/1.8 as a better value alternative.

talktog.wordpress.com

23/04/2013

Summary of the review

LENS REVIEW – OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO 12MM 1:2.0 ED (BLACK LIMITED)

The review highlights the Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm 1:2.0 ED (Black Limited) as a premium, high-quality "story-telling" prime lens that serves as a massive upgrade over standard Micro 4/3 kit lenses. Photographed and tested extensively on the Olympus OM-D E-M5, the reviewer praises its rapid and accurate autofocusing system, which easily matches the speed of high-end, full-frame professional lenses. Optically, the lens delivers razor-sharp images with superb color saturation, excellent contrast, and top-tier resistance against flares and ghosting due to its specialized ZERO coating. Furthermore, its f/2.0 aperture gathers plenty of light for low-light environments, and the classic, fluid manual focus ring—revealing a built-in distance scale when pulled back—makes it an absolute joy to handle. Despite its stellar performance, the reviewer pinpoints several notable drawbacks. The most prominent structural disadvantage is that the lens is not weather-sealed, meaning users must carefully avoid using it in the rain. Optically, it exhibits minor light fall-off and slight barrel distortion, which is expected for a fast wide-angle build. Additionally, because it is tailored for the Micro 4/3 sensor, its full-frame 24mm equivalent focal length...

focus-review.com

13/07/2014

Summary of the review

Review Olympus 12mm f/2.0 Special Edition - Focus Review

The Olympus 12mm f/2.0 Special Edition (Limited Black) is a compact, solidly built 130-gram wide-angle lens released in 2012 with a limited run of 3,000 copies. Optically identical to the 2011 silver edition, this luxury version commands a €200 premium for its matte black finish and exclusive metal accessories, including an LH-48 sun cap and a slide-on LC-48 lens cap. The lens delivers a field of view equivalent to a 24mm lens on a full-frame sensor and features a physical distance scale with depth-of-field indicators for zone focusing. Its internal electronic focusing mechanism operates via Olympus's Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) system, providing silent, precise focus that is well-suited for video recording. Optically, the lens excels by offering high, exceptionally even sharpness from center to corner starting right at its maximum f/2 aperture. Prominent pros include this outstanding image quality, a highly compact and lightweight form factor, minimal vignetting (under half a stop at full aperture), and an overall premium aesthetic. Software corrections effectively handle distortion, though uncorrected RAW files exhibit up to 5.5% barrel distortion. On the downside, cons...

londonstreetphoto.org

08/10/2011

Summary of the review

Olympus 12mm Review - London Street Photo

The Olympus 12mm f/2.0 Micro Four Thirds lens delivers exceptional image quality, rendering stunning contrast, sharpness (even wide open at dusk), and a creamy, shallow depth of field when shooting close to subjects. It features snappy autofocus and superb overall build quality, including a useful snap-focus distance ring. The lens is highly portable and integrates perfectly with bodies like the Panasonic GF2, automatically mapping lens data and correcting barrel distortion in RAW files. It is highly recommended as a top-tier market choice for travel, family, and landscape photography. Despite these technical strengths, the reviewer notes major downsides that make it unsuited for street photography in European cities like London. The 24mm equivalent field of view feels too wide, forcing photographers to step uncomfortably close to subjects to achieve background blur, or leaving shots without a central focal point. Additionally, its flashy "matt lustre silver" casing fails to offer discretion, drawing unwanted attention and raised hands from locals like a large SLR would, which ultimately spoils the decisive, candid street moment.

ephotozine.com

12/10/2011

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 Micro Four Thirds Lens Review - ePHOTOzine

The ePHOTOzine review describes the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 as a premium, all-metal lens with a unique "Snapshot" focus mechanism for rapid manual focusing, ideal for street photography. It offers excellent center sharpness at f/5.6 or faster and strong resistance to flare, although it exhibits softness at the edges when used at f/2.0. Visible chromatic aberration, a high price tag, and the lack of an included lens hood are noted as drawbacks. Despite this, the compact 130-gram lens is praised for its robust build quality and compatibility with Micro Four Thirds systems.

mirrorlessons.com

24/04/2013

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 Review: the best wide-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds - Mirrorless Comparison

The Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 is a premium, compact wide-angle prime lens equivalent to 24mm on full-frame cameras, designed perfectly for the Micro Four Thirds system. Built with a solid metal exterior, it features an ingenious manual focus clutch system where shifting back the focus ring automatically switches the lens from auto to manual focus, instantly revealing distance scales. Image quality stands out with impressive sharpness even at its fast f/2 maximum aperture, reaching peak performance between f/5.6 and f/8. It delivers a very pleasant bokeh for a wide-angle lens when focusing closely—down to its minimum distance of 0.2 meters—and boasts a silent, fast autofocus motor that works flawlessly for both photography and casual video recording. Despite its stellar performance, the lens exhibits a couple of notable downsides. Its most prominent optical flaw is the tendency to produce unpleasant purple fringing, particularly when direct, harsh light hits the glass. While a lens hood would help mitigate this flare and provide extra physical protection, Olympus does not include one in the package, forcing users to buy it as an optional accessory....

omexperience.wordpress.com

06/12/2013

Summary of the review

Olympus 12mm f/2 - OM Experience

The Olympus 12mm f/2 lens review on the Olympus OM blog praises this micro four-thirds prime lens as a compact, lightweight, and well-built gem featuring a solid metal construction. The reviewer notes that the lens delivers exceptional center sharpness and strong performance toward the extreme edges, making it ideal for landscape and general wide-angle photography. Additionally, it serves as a great astrophotography lens due to its fast f/2 maximum aperture, well-controlled stellar coma, and low astigmatism. Users will also benefit from its unique snap focus ring that allows a quick mechanical pull-back to engage manual focus with physical distance guides and hard stops at near and infinity markers. Peak resolution is achieved between f/2.8 and f/5.6, while flare is generally kept to a minimum unless shooting indoors directly against a bright peripheral light source. Despite its high quality, the reviewer identifies a few key drawbacks, most notably its steep $800 retail price tag, suggesting it is better valued closer to $600 or purchased used. Mechanically, the manual focus ring does not adjust infinitely or smoothly; it operates in 20 to...

digitalkamera.de

16/07/2011

Summary of the review

Image quality of the Olympus 12mm F2 ED tested on the Pen E-P3

The digitalkamera.de lab review of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 mm F2 paired with the PEN E-P3 highlights impressive central image sharpness, excellent control over chromatic aberration, and a versatile F2 maximum aperture for low-light scenarios. While the lens offers high-quality imaging, it displays a noticeable drop in corner sharpness and visible vignetting when shooting wide open. Although barrel distortion is present, it is largely corrected in-camera for JPEGs, and performance significantly improves when stopping down the lens. You can find more information about this, such as its mechanical build quality (like the snap-focus ring) or how it performs for video usage.

zielfoto.com

14/10/2025

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F/2 - Zielfoto Review

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F/2 is a highly compact and lightweight prime wide-angle lens designed for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) systems, achieving a community rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviewers praise its tiny build volume and 130g weight, describing it as an ideal choice for street, landscape, astrophotography, and low-light indoor reportage, such as party photography. A standout functional feature highlighted by users is the unique clutch focus ring, which allows for incredibly quick and tactile switching from autofocus to manual focus by simply pulling the ring back. Additionally, users note that the lens pairs exceptionally well with Olympus's in-body image stabilization to allow for crisp, long-exposure handheld shots. While the majority of users highly recommend the lens and appreciate its overall rendering and lack of coma, some optical limitations were noted. Specifically, when shooting wide open at f/2, the sharpness and overall image quality can drop, occasionally producing muddy or "matschig" details when zooming deeply into the frame. The autofocus speed is also described by some as adequate rather than exceptionally fast, though it remains...

photozone.de

Undated

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 ED - Review / Test Report

The OpticalLimits (formerly PhotoZone) review highlights the Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 ED as a highly crafted, moderate ultra-wide-angle lens equivalent to 24mm in full-frame terms. The reviewer praises its exceptional physical construction, which features a beautiful all-metal body and mount, alongside a constant physical length during focusing and a non-rotating front element. Optically, the lens marks the debut of the "ZERO" coating, which field tests confirmed reduces internal reflections and flare by 50%. Its autofocus mechanism is highly efficient, featuring an MSC (Movie-Still-Compatible) motor optimized for fast, silent operation. Additionally, the reviewer highlights the functional "snapshot focus" clutch mechanism, which provides a mechanically satisfying shift between autofocus and manual focus. Despite its premium features, the review points out several clear drawbacks, notably its lack of explicit weather protection and a steep manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of 800 EUR / US$. The reviewer finds it particularly insulting and bizarre that a lens at this high price point does not include the square-shaped metal lens hood as a standard accessory. Furthermore, due to the inherent constraints of the Micro-Four-Thirds system, the...

lesnumeriques.com

13/09/2016

Summary of the review

Test Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12 mm f/2 : grand-angle idéal pour photographes discrets

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12 mm f/2 is a highly compact, lightweight (130g) wide-angle prime lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, offering a 24mm equivalent focal length that makes it an ideal, discreet tool for street photography. Reviewers praise its exceptional, robust all-metal build quality, snappy autofocus performance, and completely silent operation. A standout design feature is its physical "clutch" mechanism, which allows users to effortlessly snap the focus ring backward to instantly engage manual focus, complete with physical hard stops and a handy depth-of-field scale for hyperfocale shooting. However, the lens makes notable compromises regarding optical performance, as it is noticeably soft when shooting wide open at f/2, especially across the periphery and corners. Vignetting is also prominent at f/2, though stopping down to f/2.8 significantly sharpens the center and clears the shading, with peak performance achieved at f/5.6. On the ergonomic side, the lens lacks optical image stabilization—which can cause visible jitter during video capture on older camera bodies without in-body stabilization—and omits a dedicated physical aperture ring, forcing users to control exposure entirely through the camera...

dxomark.com

04/04/2017

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f2.0 - DXOMARK Review

The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f2.0 achieved an overall DXOMARK score of 25 when mounted and tested on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. The primary advantages of this wide-angle prime lens are its robust light gathering ability and excellent sharpness. It records a strong sharpness rating of 13 P-Mpix and boasts a highly efficient light transmission of 2.2 TStop, ensuring excellent brightness for an f/2.0 aperture lens. Furthermore, the lens handles vignetting well, showing a modest drop-off of -1.1 EV, and controls chromatic aberration effectively to a minimal 9 µm. YouTube ·Emilie Talpin Photography Conversely, the prominent disadvantage of this lens is its optical distortion. Lab measurements show a high distortion score of 2.6%, which indicates visible bowing or warping typical of wide-angle profiles that will rely heavily on digital correction software. While the optics remain highly capable for landscape and travel photography, this geometric distortion stands out as its main performance bottleneck on the bench.

digitalcamaralens.com

27/07/2026

Summary of the review

Olympus Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2 ED Review and Test

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2 ED is a lightweight (130g) and highly compact wide-angle lens designed for Micro Four Thirds systems, offering a 24mm equivalent focal length. Tested on a Panasonic Lumix DSC G80, it scored an overall rating of 7.24 out of 10. The lens features excellent mechanical construction combining metal and plastic, smooth ergonomics, and a dual-activation manual focus ring that exposes a distance and hyperfocal scale when slid backward. In terms of lab performance, it delivers exceptionally low lateral chromatic aberrations, very low progressive vignetting, and complete linear geometric distortion (-0.97%). Its resolution peaks remarkably well between f/4 and f/5.6 in the center (90 l.p./mm), and it remains clear of astigmatism. However, the review highlights several performance flaws that drag down its final score. On the downside, the lens suffers from visible longitudinal chromatic aberrations and a low-to-medium initial contrast ratio at its widest apertures (f/2 to f/2.5), slowing down its sharpness progression. Its coma performance for nighttime astrophotography is mediocre, and it handles frontal sunlight poorly, being prone to lens flare. Mechanically, it lacks weather...

olympistas.org

02/10/2011

Summary of the review

M.Zuiko ED 12mm f/2.0 (In-Depth Review)

The M.Zuiko ED 12mm f/2.0 lens receives strong praise for its premium metal construction, robust build quality, and compact design that delivers excellent handling and aesthetics. Reviewers are highly impressed by its outstanding optical performance, noting that it manages to maintain exceptional sharpness across the entire frame while effectively controlling optical aberrations. Additionally, the lens features a highly responsive focusing system and a praised manual focus clutch mechanism built directly into the focus ring. The primary drawback highlighted throughout the discussion is its steep price tag, which makes it nearly three times more expensive than the M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens. Users also note that the lens lacks weather sealing, a feature they feel should have been included given its high cost and premium positioning. Ultimately, while the lens delivers professional-grade performance and durability, the high financial barrier makes it a luxury purchase compared to alternative Micro Four Thirds options. Are you looking to compare this lens to a specific alternative, or

photo-review.com

17/04/2014

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 - Photo Review

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm ƒ/2.0 is a premium, compact wide-angle lens for Micro 4/3 cameras that provides a 24mm equivalent focal length in universal format. Built entirely from metal, the lens offers an exceptionally sturdy yet lightweight construction at just 130 grams. Optically, it excels by delivering high contrast, excellent color fidelity, linear resolution, and superb distortion correction. Its bright ƒ/2 maximum aperture allows for selective depth of field and a smooth bokeh effect. Additionally, the lens features a highly responsive and precise FAST AF system, alongside a unique pull-back focus ring mechanism that makes switching to manual focus smooth and accurate. In terms of pros, the lens is highly praised for its premium metallic build quality, compact dimensions, minimal chromatic aberrations, and rapid autofocus speed. It is considered a versatile "pata negra" (top-tier) choice for photojournalism, landscapes, and street photography. On the downside, the primary con noted in the review is that the lens hood is not included in the box and must be purchased separately as an optional accessory. Despite a relatively high price tag of...

focus-review.com

13/07/2014

Summary of the review

Olympus 12mm f/2.0 Limited Black Review: Focus Test

The Olympus 12mm f/2.0 Limited Black is a special edition micro-four-thirds wide-angle lens released in 2012 with a limited run of 3,000 units. Optically identical to the cheaper 2011 silver version, this 130-gram collector's item features a premium matte-black metal finish and includes exclusive accessories like a metallic lens hood (LH-48) and a slide-on metallic lens cap (LC-48). Tested on an Olympus OM-D E-M1, the lens delivers an angle of view equivalent to a 24mm lens on a full-frame sensor and offers exceptional, highly uniform sharpness from center to corner starting right at f/2. It controls vignetting brilliantly with less than half a stop of light loss at wide apertures, handles flare effectively using its ZERO coating, and exhibits negligible distortion in daily use due to automatic software corrections. Furthermore, its MSC mechanism provides silent, accurate autofocusing, while the physical distance scale supports convenient zone focusing for street photography. The lens boasts several distinct advantages, including its excellent overall image quality, compact and highly portable form factor, and the aesthetic appeal of its premium black finish over the silver model....

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