The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO ($999.99 direct) was launched along with the company's top-end OM-D E-M1 camera , adding a true professional-level zoom to its Micro Four Thirds lens library.

Maximum f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range; Very sharp from edge to edge; Focus clutch system; Protected from dust, splashes, and cold temperatures; Minimal distortion

Expensive; Lacks optical image stabilization

Gary Wolstenholme reviews this professional weather-sealed 12-40mm f/2.8 Olympus Micro Four Thirds lens.

Outstanding sharpness from maximum aperture; Compact and lightweight; Robust build; Dust and splash proof; Quick access for manual focus; Good value

Manual focus control easily nudged when changing lenses; Heavily affected by diffraction at small aperture settings

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO ($999.99 direct) was launched along with the company's top-end OM-D E-M1($999.00 at Amazon) camera, adding a true professional-level zoom to its Micro Four Thirds lens library. It's a pricey lens, but the constant f/2.8 aperture, sharp optics, and all-weather design justify its cost. It's an easy choice as an Editors' Choice for standard zoom lenses for the Micro Four Thirds system. The lens($899.00 at Amazon), which is on the large size for the Micro Four Thirds system, measures 3.3 by 2.8 inches (HD) and weighs in at 13.5 ounces. It's compatible with 62mm threaded filters and pairs well with the E-M1 and E-M5, but PEN shooters may find that it's a bit hefty for those slim camera bodies. There's no in-lens image stabilization; Olympus puts that feature into the body of the camera. You can use the lens with a Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera, but unless you're shooting with the GX7 you'll be without stabilization. The 12-40mm z...

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens lives up to its moniker, delivering professional results when paired with a Micro Four Thirds camera.

Maximum f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range; Very sharp from edge to edge; Focus clutch system; Protected from dust, splashes, and cold temperatures; Minimal distortion

Expensive; Lacks optical image stabilization

Announced concurrently with the OM-D E-M1 camera, the new Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens introduces a new 'professional' series of Micro Four Thirds System lenses with high optical performance and dust- and splash-proof construction.

The image quality is great and the focus ring is fantastic, as you can change easily between manual and auto focus. So if you're trying to take a macro picture and focus goes to infinity, you just pull focus back to a near point and auto focus finds the focus point nearby.

This standard zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system cameras provides an angle of view equivalent to a 24-80mm lens used on a 35mm format camera and sports a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range.

This is the second best lens I have owned in almost 50 years of photography. The best is its companion 40-150 F2.8 Pro lens. A little larger and heavier then some m4/3 lenses but not so much as to be a problem for me. Optical quality is great at all focal lengths from F2.8 through F8.0.

Fast; well built; close focusing; weather resistant; sharp

EDIT: Thought of one; The auto manual clutched focus ring can be a little loose; Easy to bump it from auto focus to mechanical manual focus; Minor issue but I've done it a few times; Would be nice if it was a little stiffer to pull back

I like this lens as my walk around lens. It is light and fun to use. Great package with the E-M1. Optically it is mostly good apart from the issue with ghosting and flares.

- perfect size and weight for my E-M1; sharp (I have never noticed the tested weakness in resolution at 40mm in real world); fast AF; water resistant (after about one hour in moderate rain and humidity at about 100% the lens became foggy from the inside and after half an hour in my bag it was ok...

Work with bright light sources in the frame; If you have bright light sources in the frame (e.g; candles at night) they cause annoying ghosting and flares; I hate this this behavior in the dark; In daylight it is usually acceptable.

Need an excellent all-around lens to capture your stories This high-performance zoom was made for you. Many Olympus Visionaries and other professionals consider the M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO an indispensable piece of equipment.