Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 is PRO for Micro Four Thirds System Camera, High Magnification Zoom Lens, Weather Sealed Design, MF Clutch, L-Fn Button

July 8 2019 update After two years of using it, I have not changed my impression of the lens. I have since added an Oly 12-40 f/2.8. I found that I do need f/2.8 sometimes. But for travel, the 12-100 is still the best option. Original review: I am a dual system user. My m4/3 system was originally aimed at travel and my primary system is a APS-C based DSLR. Past experiences showed me that zooms with large zoom ratios were compromises at best, so I would only consider zooms with ratios typically =<3. In the recent years, I relaxed this constrain to =<5 as optical design has significantly improved. The down side is that decent zooms with larger ratios are typically large and heavy and require large filter. It kind of negates the benefit of using zoom. My APS-C system has reached a point that I no longer want to bring it for trips especially overseas trips. This was the reason for building a m4/3 system. I started out with a e-pm1 and soon replaced with a e-pm2 and now added a GX85. The kit zoom are OK but limited in zoom range. I hate to change lens when traveling. I replaced the kit zoom with a 12-60, which was a big improvement. I especially like the 12mm on the short end. However, I found out that I also used focal length between 60mm and 100mm on a 40-150 zoom. This was the reason for looking at this 12-100. This lens has a zoom ratio of 8+ which should be outside my range for consideration. The fact that so many people like it and reviews are great, it cannot be too bad and so I gave it a try. I think the smaller m4/3 form factor makes it possible to design high quality zooms with larger zoom ratios. This lens is big for m4/3 platform. I can live with it because I now have a one-lens travel solution. This lens is extremely well built, heavy and substantial. The lens mount is not as smooth as I am used to and neither is the zoom ring. The focus ring is very smooth (no resistance) when using the focus by wire and relatively stiff using the mechanical linkage. These are the not so great aspects of this lens. AF is fast and accurate on both e-pm2 and GX85. Close focus distance is excellent and can almost be a macro lens. Optical performance is the best strength of this lens. My limited experience confirms reviews findings. Even though it is a heavy lens, I don't find it unbalanced even when using it on e-pm2. This is now my go to travel lens. Highly recommended.

The 12-100 replaces my long beloved 12-40 F/2.8 pro to go with my M1-2. I sometimes miss losing a stop of light, but for still shots, you get it back with the extra stability. How much extra? The M1-2 IBIS already boasts 5.5 stops of stability, and I really didn't think the extra stop you get with the lens would be noticeable, until I toggled it off by accident and was wondering why I was getting blurry long exposure shots. It absolutely makes a difference in trying to get 2-4 second (or longer!) hand held exposures, and the extra reach going all the way to 100mm (200mm, FF equivalent), is so handy to have for a travel lens. I pair this with the 25mm F/1.2 for when I really need a super fast beast, usually for indoor, low light shooting. This is also my to-go lens for any sort of video, but I've started to use it more for portrait shoots as well when I have my own lighting and backdrop (and stop being so much of a bokeh freak). Is it expensive? Yes. Big for a M43 lens? Sure, but look at what you're replacing! A 24-70mm and a 70-200mm lens, all in one, and smaller than either for a full frame system. And for a similar price of a single 70-200mm F/4. Sharpness? It's very good. It's not mind-numbing, but very respectable for a zoom lens, and it's already more or less at its sweet spot wide open at F/4. If you don't have a body that works with the lens stability, it may not be worth the price. Then again, it's still a stunning lens that gives you incredible flexibility at a relatively reasonable size.

Great service! Well packed and just like advertised...... would buy again from this vendor!

This is an amazing walk around lens with no significant downsides coming from shooting nikon primes and nikon pro lenses. The relatively small form factor, extra reach , phenomenal Sync image stabilization with olympus bodies (omd em1 mark ll, in my case) makes it an ideal travel lens. My travel kit is completed by pan Leica 100-400 as well as olympus 17mm and 45mm both at f / 1.8 . Highly recommended. This could replace olympus 12-40 f/2.8 pro lens if you dont mind trading the extra stop of light gathering capacity for a longer reach. To my eyes, images are plenty sharp. My other travel primes will suffice for low light photography.

I expected more from this lens. I wanted a zoom lens and I was looking at both 12-40mm pro , and this lens. The fact that this lens has great reviews and new dual IS sync, I bought it despite the hefty price closed to $1420 including tax(in California). I tried this lens and dual IS sync is really good and it's almost like it on a gimbal. However, widest at F4, it is not good for indoor and bokeh is weak unless you stretch it out at 100mm and have a portrait shot. I really would have kept it since it still has really sharp images outdoor daylights but when you can get Olympus 12-40mm pro for $647 new (no tax on this one in California), I returned it and ordered 12-40mm instead. I think it is a 4 and a half star quality if not counted the price. But at $1450 with tax, I opted for 12-40mm which is less than half the price. I might get Olympus M. 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 if I need a zoom for $124. My review is closely relative to price and value for your money. The picture is 20 sec hand held leaning on fence! Dual IS is truly amazing.

I have tried multiple Olympus primes and think this particular zoom range and included lens stabilization for the 12-100mm f4 is a very convenient and powerful combination. It provides convenience of use as well as excellent picture quality in terms of sharpness. I find myself selling away most of my primes as the quality of pictures obtained from this lens is more than ‘good enough for a nice picture’ ; it’s actually surprisingly good! That being said one has to know how to actually use this system in order to reach its maximum potential so brush up on your photography basics! 😁

Got the Zuiko 12 X 100 F4.0 and it is an excellent lens. Great sharpness all around the frame, good for almost any type of shooting you want to do. It is a bit bigger and heavier than lenses I was used to but am quickly getting used to the weight and the overall quality of photos more than compensates for the slight additional weight. Great lens and am certainly very glad to have puchased it. brings into the pro league although I am far from being a pro :-)

Amazing lens for OM/Olympus

A useful 24-200mm (full frame equivalent) zoom range. Perfect travel lens. Excellent sharp images.

I bought this as a general lens for my Olympus OM-1 mark ii. The 12mm is sufficient for buildings/street photography/portraits and being able to then zoom to 100mm, means the lens is versatile. I can use it for animal/bird photography as well, without having to change lenses all the time. A good travel lens.

Excelente estabilización, calidad de imagen y material de construcción. El único problema es el peso. Es un lente pesado, difícil para cargarlo todo el día. Si lo haces te puedo asegurar que vas a necesitar algo para el dolor al día siguiente. El otro tema es no es el lente más rápido del mundo, la apertura empieza en 4.0. Si vas a estar disparando a 25mm es mejor un Prime va de 1.2 o 1.8. Como Zoom es un gran lente y el tema de la apertura se compensa con la estabilización, pude disparar a 10 fracciones de segundo sin tripie y las imágenes salen perfectamente enfocadas, no se barrieron.