In summary
Compact and inconspicuous, the relatively small size and light weight make the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO lens ideal for street photography as well as some types of photojournalism.
Its high performance and low distortion levels could also make it a good choice for landscape and architectural photography, especially where fast lenses are unnecessary. Because it reaches to the 35mm equivalent of 90mm, it will make a good choice for some types of portraiture.
It is also more suitable close-up shooting than the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens since it provides half-life-size reproduction. Its dustproof, splashproof and freeze-resistant construction could also make it useful for event photography, especially in outdoor locations and for group[ portraits where its relatively low distortion could be valuable.
Like the 12-40mm f/2.8 lens, this lens is not stabilised. However, all OM-D cameras come with built-in stabilisation so that shouldn’t be a problem.
First Look
Olympus first announced the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO lens in December 2019 when it released its updated 2020 lens roadmap. This lens is now being released officially, concurrently with the OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera, although it won’t be available in shops until late March. Designed to combine a compact size and light weight with excellent image quality, it provides the same high build quality and dust-, splash- and freeze-proof sealing as others in the PRO lens category.
Side view of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO lens. (Source: Olympus.)
The optical design of this lens is complex for a standard zoom, comprising 12 elements in nine groups with two aspherical lenses, two HR (High Refractive index) lenses, one DSA (Dual Super Aspherical lens) lens, two ED ((Extra-low Dispersion) lenses and one Super HR lens. ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating (introduced with the 60mm f/2.8 macro lens) has been applied to the optical surfaces to minimise ghosting and flare and improve performance with backlit subjects.
Cutaway view of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO lens. (Source: Olympus.)
Unusually for a PRO lens, the 12-45mm f/4 lens lacks a manual focus clutch mechanism, which is a feature of many other PRO lenses, including the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO and 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO lenses. It’s also smaller and 128 grams lighter and a bit cheaper than the shorter but faster 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens.
Who’s it For?
This lens is well matched to the E-M1 Mark III and together they would make a nice travel photographer’s kit. Compact and inconspicuous, its relatively small size and light weight make it ideal for street photography as well as some types of photojournalism.
Its high performance and low distortion levels could also make it a good choice for landscape and architectural photography, especially where fast lenses are unnecessary. Because it reaches to the 35mm equivalent of 90mm, it will make a good choice for some types of portraiture.
It is also more suitable close-up shooting than the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens since it provides half-life-size reproduction. Its dustproof, splashproof and freeze-resistant construction could also make it useful for event photography, especially in outdoor locations and for group[ portraits where its relatively low distortion could be valuable.
Like the 12-40mm f/2.8 lens, this lens is not stabilised. However, all OM-D cameras come with built-in stabilisation so that shouldn’t be a problem, although if you want to fit this lens to a Panasonic camera, you’ll need one with built-in O.I.S.
Build and Ergonomics
The build quality of this lens is in line with other M.Zuiko PRO lenses: sturdy but highly refined with a very solid metal mounting plate. Almost 190 precision-machined components have been assembled in a dense configuration, resulting in a lens with a diameter of 63.4 mm and length of 70 mm plus a weight of approximately 254 grams. Sealing in nine places excludes moisture and dust.
The focusing ring is located roughly15 mm behind the front of the lens. It’s about 10mm wide and clad in fine ridges to provide a secure grip. Just behind it is the zoom ring, which is 25 mm wide and carries five narrow bands of ridged strips.
Its trailing edge is marked with the 12mm, 14mm, 18mm 25mm 35mm and 45mm focal length positions. This ring turns through roughly 85 degrees, extending the inner barrel by 20 mm as you zoom from 12mm to 45mm.
Both zoom and focusing rings have just enough resistance to enable precise settings to be made. The front element doesn’t move during focusing or zooming and the lens can focus down to 12 cm at the 12mm focal length and 23 cm at 45mm, where it provides half life size reproduction across the zoom range.
The lens is supplied with the normal front and rear caps plus the LH-61G Lens Hood (which lacks a locking button) and the CS-53wrapping cloth. It accepts 58 mm diameter filters, including angle-critical attachments since the front element doestnt rotate during focusing or zooming.
Performance
Because the lens we received was an IP (Initial Production) sample, we’re unable to report on any of the technical tests we’ve conducted on this lens. This situation will be rectified once we receive a final production-standard unit.
In the interim, we’ve found the lens to be a very good performer and its speedy and accurate autofocusing confirms our expectations of its suitability for use for street and location photography. The face-detection function worked flawlessly, even with quite fast-moving subjects.
The combination of lens hood and ZERO coating was effective for minimising flare and increasing fine contrast and backlit scenes were handled very well. Close focusing delivered some nice images of small objects like flowers, with the 45mm focal length enabling some impressive shots at maximum magnification.
When there were bright patches in the background, bokeh could be a little choppy with shorter focal lengths. We also noticed some outlining of highlights towards the other end of the zoom range.
SPECS
Picture angle: 84 to 27 degrees
Minimum aperture: f/22
Lens construction: 12 elements in 9 groups (including 2 aspherical, 2 HR, 2 ED, one DS and one Super HR elements)
Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds
Diaphragm Blades: 7 (circular aperture)
Focus drive: MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) linear motor
Stabilisation: No (relies on in-camera sensor-shift system)
Minimum focus: 12 cm at 12mm, 23 cm at 45mm
Maximum magnification: 0.5x
Filter size: 58 mm
Dimensions (Diameter x L): 63.4 x 70 mm
Weight: 254 grams
Standard Accessories: LH-61G Lens Hood, Wrapping cloth CS-53, front and rear caps, Instruction Manual, and Warranty Card
RRP: AU$1099
Distributor: Olympus Imaging Australia; 1300 659 678
SAMPLES
12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/8.
45mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/8.
12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/2000 second at f/4.
45mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/2500 second at f/4.
Bokeh at 12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/4.
Bokeh at 45mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/4.
12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/60 second at f/11.
Crop from the centre of the above image, magnified to 100%.
Crop from a corner of the above image, magnified to 100%.
Strong backlighting at 12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/10.
Strong backlighting at 45mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/9.
33mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/160 second at f/6.3.
22mm focal length, ISO 400, 1/80 second at f/10.
33mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/160 second at f/6.3.
22mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/8.
26mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/125 second at f/5.6.
42mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/160 second at f/5.6.
22mm focal length, ISO 4000, 1/60 second at f/8.
Additional image samples can be found with our First Look at the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera.
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