OM SYSTEM 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 ED M.Zuiko EZ Micro 4/3 Lens (Black)

This 4.2x zoom lens from Olympus is compatible with Micro Four Thirds system cameras and provides an angle of view equivalent to a 24-100mm lens on a 35mm camera. Unusually for a lens covering this range the maximum aperture is rather slow at the telephoto end at only f/6.3.

As the kit lens for the OM-D E-M5, you couldn't really ask for more; the lens offers excellent results for sharpness, corner shading and distortion. The only sore point for the lens is the extraordinary chromatic aberration noted at the 12mm mark, but happily, it's really only noted in the extreme...

Unfortunately we didn't really fall in love with the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ. The zoom range is surely very attractive but performance-wise it has its issues. In the resolution chapter, the lens performs just Okay with slightly soft corners at 12mm and a generally reduced quality at...

A versatile general-purpose lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, which features motorised zoom control for smooth movie shooting.

I like writing the summaries of Olympus optics because usually I can praise the tested lenses. Olympus has always produced good lenses. Unfortunately the summary of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12–50 mm f/3.5–6.3 ED EZ will be an exception because it won’t feature a lot of praise.

• +

  quite solid and sealed casing,, useful focal length range,, good image quality in the frame centre,, sensibly corrected chromatic aberration,, slight coma,, low astigmatism,, negligible vignetting at longer focal lengths,, fast and efficient autofocus.

• -

  average image quality on the edge of the frame,, very high distortion on the wide angle,, significant vignetting at the shortest focal length,, weak work against bright light.

The novel design and unique macro feature of this lens making this optic a very interesting prospect. Although sharpness levels are good, there are not up to the heights attained by other lenses in the Micro Four Thirds line-up.

• +

  Novel design, Excellent macro feature, Good splash-proof build, Zoom switchable between powered and direct modes, Lightweight

• -

  Slow f/6.3 maximum aperture at 50mm, Lower sharpness than many other Micro Four Thirds lenses, especially at 50mm, Prone to flare at 12mm and no hood is supplied as standard

PROS- The only 'cheap' weatherproof MFT lens as of 2015.- Nice focal length coverage with 24 mm equivalent at the wide end.- E-zoom mode is handy for video shooters.- Not bad sharpness wide open.- Generally fine image quality.- Has its own L-Fn button.

This is a great little lens for the money. Readily available for under $300, I got mine as a kit lens with my first OM-D E-M5 and was expecting it to be crap after the reviews that I read. I think it is superior to the standard 14-42mm kit zoom in every way.

• +

  Great value, very versatile, good macro for a zoom.

• -

  Slow at the long end.

Yes a bit slow, yes a bit big, but true its a good go to lens for the beginner. Unitl I started purchaing primes this was my lens of choice.(didnt know better at the time) At the time of purchase I was really into the weatherproofing thing, it seemed I really didnt need that feature.