Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.0 Review

The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f2.0 is a wide-angle lens with single focal length. It is best for scenery shots even in settings where there is no enough light. Also, it seems to deliver well in capturing moving subjects since those busy street shots look admirable. This lens is compatible with all Olympus PEN series camera bodies and all micro four thirds cameras.

For its exterior, this lens looks attractive with its silver color against the very typical black finish. Unlike other lenses that are plastic-built, the Zuiko looks elegant and better-looking than other M43 lenses. It is metal-built which feels strong and smooth but a little weighty and big. However, since this is a wide-angle lens, the size of this lens can be considered pretty small. It has an expensive-look just like its selling price, although its cost is claimed to be reasonable compared to other lenses with similar specs. Moreover, this lens doesn’t include the essential hood and the lens bag, but they can be bought if desired, not cheap, though.

Autofocus of the Zuiko is surprisingly speedy and super quiet when it works. The focus speed is dependent on the way you turn the ring. The faster you turn it, the quicker focusing it will be. A pull back of the focus ring is a command for the lens to do manual focusing while pushing back the ring means returning to the autofocus mode. This lens has a distance scale or aperture marking on its body which is quite small to read. This is regarded by some as old school while others consider it a great feature. Going to the menus with or without the touchscreen is no longer needed, but, it can be the other way to focus this lens. As for its sharpness, there are some issues. Compared to Olympus 45mm f/1.8, this 12mm f/2.0 lens seems to fall behind. There are visible but fixable distortions and less sharpness in comparison. For the price, expectations are high and some users are not satisfied. However, stop down to f/4.0, this lens begins to redeem itself. This lens can do indoor, low-light and city streets shots with acceptable quality. A very minor problem area is the edges at f/2 and some discolorations closer to the outline of the borders. There are also some issues with flare which can be solved with the use of a hood. 

Unfortunately, the Zuiko doesn’t come with the hood. The Zuiko has impressed a lot of users. Compared to wide angle lenses out there, this lens amazes most users with its clear, well-saturated colors and smooth movements. Bokeh looks nice; weight and size are lovable, aperture speed is pleasing. The wide angle view of this lens is not everybody’s choice since most users prefer a narrower angle. But for the architecture and landscape, this 12mm f/2.0 is a good option. All in all, Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f2.0 is an acceptable, good-looking, all- metal, wide-angle lens. It‘s price is reasonable to some users. This lens is recommendable.