OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Standard Zoom lens with FourThirds max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
MFT cameras .
OM System replaced the older Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
What type of photography is the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
There is only one more lens with the Micro Four Thirds mount that has the exact same focal and aperture range with the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II, the Olympus ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO.
Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Reasons to Buy the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
0.2m / 7.9 inch
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II from Amazon B&H PHOTO
Lens Mount
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is compatible with cameras that have a Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds lenses are OM System OM-3 Astro , OM System OM-5 II and OM System OM-3 .
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has a maximum diameter of 70mm and a total length of 84mm when not extended. It weighs 382g / 13.5 oz .
Check the size of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II when attached to MFT cameras :
Below, you'll find a scaled side-by-side image comparing the sizes of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and the Olympus ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO , offering a better understanding of their dimensions in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here .
Comparison image of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and the Olympus ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Size and Weight
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has a filter thread of 62mm . Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II:
You can also check All Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses with 62mm Filter Thread Size
Focal Range
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has a focal range of 12-40mm and 3.3X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-80mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.
Weather Sealings
Weather Sealings of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
The OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II with a weather-sealed camera body such as the OM System OM-3 Astro , OM System OM-5 II and OM System OM-3 .
Optical Image Stabilization
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Panasonic Leica 12-35mm F2.8 in Micro Four Thirds mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization .
Lenses Similar to OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II With Optical Image Stabilization
Zoom Method
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.3x with a minimum focusing distance of 0.2m . For a non-macro lens, the 0.3x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Below are the 3 Standard Zoom type MFT mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios :
Aperture
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 12mm all the way to the 40mm .
Focal Length
Max Aperture
Min Aperture
12mm
F2.8
F22
40mm
F2.8
F22
Optical Formula
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II's optical formula consists of 14 elements in 9 groups . The following special elements are used in this design:
1 aspherical element 1 dual-sided aspherical element 2 ED glass elements 2 HR glass elements 1 EDA glass element 1 HD glass element
Optical Construction of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Lens Hood
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Recommended Accessories for the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Now it is time to look at the Top Recommended Accessories for the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II .
Body Colour
OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is available in Black color.
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II.
Top Alternatives of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II in Other Lens Mounts
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
