Name: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro
Brand: Olympus

Technical Specifications of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro

Overall score

8.2

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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

all-in-one zoom

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

72 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

8.2

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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

100 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

8.3x

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

12 °

Focus & Controls

7.2

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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

DC motor, 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

8.5

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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

8.5

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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

9.0

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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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro vs the average camera lens

Why is Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro better than the average camera lens?

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Has optical image stabilization
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include 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
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Has focus hold button
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
What it is: A button on the lens barrel used to lock focus temporarily during shooting.
When it matters: When you want to lock focus quickly during sports, wildlife, or recomposed portraits.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Has focus distance scale
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro 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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
1 stops stronger stabilization
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a higher stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 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
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a higher stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.5 stops vs 4 stops
3 more low-dispersion elements
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (5 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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (5 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.5 vs 2
0.15 m shorter minimum focus distance
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro 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.
0.45 m at tele end.
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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro 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.0.15 m vs 0.3 m
2 more aspherical elements
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.4 vs 2
0.11 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3x 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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.0.3 x vs 0.192 x
3 more low-dispersion elements
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (5 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
2 more aspherical elements
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
Has focus hold button
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.5% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
Has focus distance scale
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
0.15 m shorter minimum focus distance
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro 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.
0.11 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Has optical image stabilization
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
1 stops stronger stabilization
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a higher stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.

Why is Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro worse than the average camera lens?

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1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
2 fewer aperture blades
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
24.5 mm longer lens
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro is longer than the average camera lens (116.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.4 vs 2.8
2 fewer aperture blades
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro 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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
24.5 mm longer lens
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro is longer than the average camera lens (116.5 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 Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro is longer than the average camera lens (116.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.116.5 mm vs 92 mm
90.6% more expensive
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro is more expensive than the average camera lens (£1,010 vs £530).
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 100mm F4 0 IS Pro is more expensive than the average camera lens (£1,010 vs £530).£1,010 vs £530

Expert reviews

dpreview.com

28/10/2020

Summary of the review

Field review: The Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 IS Pro goes to the falls

The DPReview field review identifies the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 IS Pro as a high-performance "all-in-one" zoom, praised for its exceptional sharpness across a 24-200mm equivalent range and a 5-axis Sync IS system providing up to 8 stops of compensation. The lens features professional, rugged sealing and a, versatile 1.5 cm close-focusing distance at the wide end. While offering premium versatility, the 561-gram lens can feel unbalanced on smaller bodies and has a constant F4 aperture that limits, lower-light performance compared to faster lenses. Minor corner softness at 12mm is also noted as a tradeoff for its extreme zoom range.

imaging-resource.com

16/11/2016

Summary of the review

Olympus 12-100mm f/4 IS Pro M.Zuiko Digital ED Review Ming Thein | Photographer

The Imaging Resource review highlights the Olympus 12-100mm f/4 IS Pro as a versatile travel lens, praising its outstanding optical sharpness across the entire zoom range and highly effective 5-Axis Sync Image Stabilization. Key strengths include a robust, weather-sealed design, a close minimum focusing distance, and a useful manual focus clutch. Considerations include a high price point and a heavier, larger form factor compared to other Micro Four Thirds lenses. Additionally, the constant f/4 aperture offers limited low-light performance and shallow depth-of-field capabilities compared to f/2.8 alternatives.

opticallimits.com

06/05/2017

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Review - OpticalLimits

The Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO is a highly versatile, professional-grade travel zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras that delivers impressive image quality across its extensive 24-200mm (full-frame equivalent) focal range. A standout feature is its class-leading image stabilization system, which achieves up to 6.5 f-stops of efficiency when paired with compatible Olympus bodies using "Sync IS". The lens boasts an exceptional, tightly assembled, and weather-sealed metal body with smooth control rings and a fast, silent MSC autofocus motor. Optically, it defies typical long-range zoom limitations by maintaining a constant f/4 aperture and offering superb center sharpness that peaks at f/4 and f/5.6, along with very low chromatic aberrations and a smooth background bokeh. Despite its high praise, the lens does come with notable compromises, primarily its hefty price tag of around $1,300/EUR and a design that is larger and heavier than typical Micro Four Thirds options. In terms of optical performance, it heavily relies on digital auto-correction to mask flaws; uncorrected RAW files exhibit a massive 6.9% barrel distortion and heavy vignetting peaking at 1.8EV at the...

smallsensorphotography.com

26/06/2023

Summary of the review

Pro 12-100 Review - Small Sensor Photography by Thomas Stirr

The M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS zoom lens serves as a highly versatile, robust "one lens" solution tailored specifically for travel, everyday use, and documentary photography. The reviewer heavily praises its exceptional optical sharpness, accurate color rendition, and fast autofocusing capabilities even under demanding conditions. A standout feature is its Sync-IS capability when paired with compatible Olympus/OM System bodies, allowing for reliable, sharp handheld shooting at shutter speeds as slow as 1/2 to 4 seconds while maintaining a low base ISO of 200. Additionally, its weather sealing proves flawless against harsh elements like rain, wind, and snow, and the inclusion of a physical focus clutch adds to its premium handling. However, the lens presents a few notable drawbacks depending on user priorities. Its constant f/4 maximum aperture is considered too slow for low-light client video work, which restricts dramatic background isolation unless specific attention is paid to subject-to-background distance. Compared to more compact Micro 4/3 alternatives—such as the dual-lens PRO 12-45mm and 40-150mm setup or the 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II—the 12-100mm is physically bulky and heavy. Lastly, it can feel...

lenstip.com

14/02/2017

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100 mm f/4 IS PRO review

The LensTip review of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100 mm f/4 IS PRO highly praises the lens for exploiting the full potential of the Micro Four Thirds sensor to deliver unprecedented image sharpness for an 8.3x high-magnification zoom lens. Testing on RAW files revealed that the lens achieves "revelational" sharpness at its wide 12mm end—nearly reaching the record values of premium prime lenses—and maintains excellent resolution across the entire frame and zoom range even at the maximum f/4 relative aperture. Additional prominent strengths include a robust, weather-sealed casing, a sensational optical image stabilization unit, and a silent, exceptionally fast autofocus system. Optically, it also excels by showcasing low coma, slight astigmatism, minimal spherical aberration, and commendable resistance to ghosting and flares. LensTip.com The primary drawback identified in the review is the huge geometric distortion present in uncorrected RAW files, which spikes to a massive -6.90% barrel distortion at 12mm and.84% pincushion distortion at the telephoto end. This indicates that the lens designers completely relied on digital camera software to correct geometry rather than solving it optically. Beyond this main...

digitalkamera.de

01/11/2017

Summary of the review

Review: Olympus 12-100 mm f/4 IS PRO

The digitalkamera.de review highlights the Olympus 12-100 mm 4 IS ED Pro as an exceptionally versatile, high-end travel lens featuring robust weather-sealed construction, outstanding sharpness across the frame, and a highly effective image stabilization system. While praised for its performance, the lens exhibits significant native distortion in raw files that requires software correction, features a slight, inherent barrel wobble when extended, and has a constant f/4 aperture that makes it less ideal for low-light situations.

zielfoto.com

01/02/2019

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–100 mm F/4 IS PRO - Target Photo

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F/4 IS PRO is a highly versatile Micro Four Thirds (MFT) all-round zoom lens that currently holds an outstanding community score of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Users praise it as an exceptional "always-on" travel lens capable of handling everything from landscapes to macro photography, offering a broad 24-200mm full-frame equivalent focal range and a constant f/4 maximum aperture. Its standout features include a fast, silent, and precise autofocus system, a very short minimum focusing distance of 15 cm for macro work, and an ergonomic manual focus clutch mechanism that allows quick AF/MF switching via a sliding ring. Reviewers are particularly blown away by its highly effective, sync-compatible optical stabilization which pairs seamlessly with in-camera stabilization to enable sharp, long-exposure shots entirely handheld. On the downside, multiple reviewers note that the lens is not a lightweight option, weighing in at 561 grams. Its physical size and weight make it less than ideal for compact MFT camera bodies from Olympus, OM System, or Panasonic. Additionally, at a current street price of €1,079, it is noted...

kuecher.com

01/01/2018

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm Lens Review | Kücher

Summary The review evaluates the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO lens, concluding it is a highly versatile and rugged choice for landscape photography under harsh conditions. Photographer Andreas Geh initially ignored the lens due to its f/4.0 maximum aperture on a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor, which matches the depth of field of an f/8 lens on full-frame. However, after shooting nearly 4,000 images during an extended trip to Svalbard, Northeast Greenland, and Iceland, it became a fixture in his gear. The lens delivers excellent imaging performance with precise resolution of fine details, no visible distortion or color errors, and a pleasing bokeh. Additionally, its 25 cm close-focusing distance at 100mm offers unique subject isolation capabilities that are physically impossible to match with full-frame equivalents. The core advantages (pros) highlighted include its practical 12-100mm focal range (24-200mm full-frame equivalent), which eliminates risky lens changes in bad weather. It features robust PRO-tier weather sealing that provides dust, splash, and freeze protection. The built-in image stabilizer syncs with the camera body, allowing sharp handheld wide-angle shots at shutter speeds...

naturfotografie-kruse.de

30/01/2018

Summary of the review

Olympus 12-100 4.0 Pro field test

This field review evaluates the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO lens as a highly versatile "all-in-one" travel option for the Micro Four Thirds system. Tested in real-world scenarios like hiking trips and a landscape excursion to Scotland, the reviewer highlights its outstanding 5-axis image stabilization (Sync IS), which allows sharp, handheld long exposures of several seconds at wide angles and clear shots at 1/10s at the telephoto end. Optically, the lens delivers impressive resolution across the entire 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) focal range, maintaining excellent corner-to-corner sharpness even when shot wide open at f/4.0, while exhibiting minimal vignetting and distortion at 12mm. Additionally, its build features robust weather sealing, a metallic outer chassis, a manual focus clutch, and a very short minimum focusing distance of 15cm at the wide end for creative perspective shots. Despite its high performance, the review notes a few key drawbacks, starting with its physical bulk and weight (561g), which can feel heavy for a Micro Four Thirds setup. From an artistic standpoint, the bokeh is less smooth and "creamy" than other Olympus PRO...

lesnumeriques.com

10/01/2017

Summary of the review

Review of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100 mm f/4 IS PRO

This professional-grade Micro 4/3 zoom lens functions as an ultra-versatile "Swiss Army knife" for travel, landscape, portrait, and wildlife photography due to its expansive 12-100mm focal range, which provides a 24-200mm full-frame equivalent field of view. It features an excellent, weatherproof metallic build that remains remarkably compact and lightweight at just 561 grams. A key highlight is its constant f/4 maximum aperture, ensuring consistent exposure settings throughout the entire zoom range. Furthermore, its robust optical image stabilization delivers exceptional real-world performance, achieving a verified 4-stop gain to capture sharp handheld shots at slow shutter speeds like 1/13s. Optical distortions and vignetting are also exceptionally well-managed across all focal lengths. Despite its high 4.5 out of 5-star rating, the review highlights a few notable drawbacks, primarily regarding its changing performance at different focal lengths and limited bokeh capabilities. At the 12mm wide-angle setting, there is a pronounced lack of sharpness homogeneity between the highly detailed center and the softer edges of the frame. Additionally, because the smaller Micro 4/3 sensor format is paired with a relatively modest f/4 aperture, creating a...

carnets-voyages.org

23/11/2025

Summary of the review

Review of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100 mm f/4 IS PRO

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100 mm f/4 IS PRO is a highly versatile micro 4/3 professional-grade lens ideal for travel photography. The reviewer notes that its metal construction, full weather sealing (tropicalization), and constant f/4 aperture provide exceptional durability and top-tier optical quality. It features an expansive 8.3x zoom range (24-200mm full-frame equivalent) that easily captures landscapes at its 12mm wide-end, while successfully handling street, portrait, and macro photography. A major standout feature is its powerful built-in stabilization system, which delivers sharp handheld images even at slow shutter speeds. Additionally, it comes standard with a useful lens hood and a soft storage case. On the downside, the lens is relatively bulky and heavy for the micro 4/3 system, weighing 561g and extending from 11cm to 15cm when zooming. This physical footprint can make smaller camera bodies like the reviewer's Panasonic Lumix GX9 feel unbalanced. Cross-brand compatibility limitations also exist: when mounted on Panasonic bodies, the lens's specialized "Sync IS" dual-stabilization and the physical L-Fn programmable button are non-functional. Finally, while its 100mm focal length acts as a solid telephoto,...

micro43italia.it

N/D

Summary of the review

Product Review: OM System OM-1 and M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 Pro IS

The Micro4/3 Italia review by Ugo Baldassarre highlights the OM System OM-3 as a highly capable and versatile camera that successfully shifts the brand's focus back toward "classic" photographers. Breaking away from OM System's recent marketing strategy targeted exclusively at extreme outdoor adventurers, the OM-3 marks a welcoming return for traditional genres like portrait, street, events, and urban photography. Built as a specialized creative tool, it aims to deliver an excellent long-term user experience that balances advanced internal hardware with intuitive operation. The primary pros of the OM-3 include its immense adaptability for diverse genres beyond nature photography and its role as a dedicated creative companion. However, a notable con discussed in the evaluation is how easily a new, unreleased camera can be misjudged by the public based purely on online specification sheets without hands-on testing. The reviewer notes that true product evaluation requires extensive real-world usage to understand how its features translate to actual photographic potential.

focus-review.com

12/02/2017

Summary of the review

Olympus 12-100mm Test - Focus Review

📸 The Ultimate Travel Companion! The Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO is a highly versatile, all-in-one zoom lens built for Micro Four Thirds systems, offering a massive 24-200mm equivalent full-frame range. Defying the usual optical compromises of superzooms, it delivers exceptional, edge-to-edge sharpness right from f/4 across most focal lengths, with negligible distortion and minimal light fall-off. Its standout feature is its class-leading image stabilisation, working in tandem with camera bodies to allow sharp handheld shots at exposure times over 1 second and incredibly smooth, tripod-free video filming. Furthermore, it boasts an excellent 0.3x (0.6x full-frame equivalent) macro magnification capability and weather-sealed, rock-solid PRO-series construction. Despite its stellar performance, this professional zoom does come with a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind. Its maximum constant aperture of f/4 means it is not particularly low-light friendly without relying heavily on stabilisation, and it won't produce heavily blurred, ultra-creamy bokeh backgrounds. Additionally, relative to the compact Micro Four Thirds system standards, the lens is a bit heavy (560g) and bulky. However, considering it effortlessly replaces a bag full of wide-angle,...

tweakers.net

17/04/2017

Summary of the review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO - Tweakers Review

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO is a highly versatile, travel-friendly, all-round zoom lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The reviewer notes that it fully lives up to its "PRO" designation by offering exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and a quiet, near-silent autofocus motor suitable for both photography and video. Its most outstanding feature is its highly capable built-in image stabilization system, which allows users to capture sharp handheld photos at long focal lengths with shutter speeds as low as 1/10 to 1/20 of a second. Additional premium features include weather-sealed construction, a convenient manual focus clutch system, a minimum focus distance of just 15cm for semi-macro capabilities, and remarkably low focus breathing. Despite its stellar performance, the lens exhibits a few notable drawbacks. The primary disadvantages highlighted in the review are its high price tag of around €1,300, a heavy or bulky physical profile for a Micro Four Thirds system, and its vulnerability to lens flare and a significant drop in contrast when shooting directly into the sun. The lens also relies on in-camera digital correction to...

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