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OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II MFT Review

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Main Features

  • 12-40mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 382g / 0.84 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 70mm x 84mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.3x
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OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Overview


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 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:
Compare OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II vs Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO


What type of photography is the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeFair
SportsAverage
PortraitVery Good
TravelVery Good
StreetVery Good
WeddingVery Good
Walk AroundVery Good
VloggingVery Good
LandscapeVery Good
MacroAverage

Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
Compare
FourThirds 382gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy 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 help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Full-time Manual Focusing
Fast Aperture at Wide end
Fast Aperture at Tele end
Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range
Minimum focus distance of 0.2m / 7.9 inch
Report a correction

Buy OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming


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 Panasonic G9 II, OM System OM-5 and Panasonic GH6.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has a maximum diameter of 70mm and total length of 84mm when not extended. It weighs 382g / 13.5 oz.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and Olympus ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO (Micro Four Thirds mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II vs Olympus ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Size Comparison
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:

  • 62mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 62mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 62mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




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

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/OM-System-12-40mm-F2.8-PRO-II-sealing.jpg
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 Panasonic G9 II, OM System OM-5 and Panasonic GH6.

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
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS Lens Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Compare
FourThirds 306gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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FourThirds 165gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS
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FourThirds 110gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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FourThirds 195gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS
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FourThirds 70gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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FourThirds 95gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS
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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 and has 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:

  • Olympus ED 12-45mm F4 Pro: 0.5x - (Compare)
  • Olympus ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ: 0.36x - (Compare)
  • Panasonic 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS: 0.34x - (Compare)

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 . 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

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/OM-System-12-40mm-F2.8-PRO-II-optical-structure.jpg
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.

Body Colour

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Here are the eight 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
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
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FourThirds 382 g / 0.84 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro
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FourThirds 254 g / 0.56 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ
Compare
FourThirds 91 g / 0.20 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro
Compare
FourThirds 561 g / 1.23 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305 g / 0.67 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH Power OIS
Compare
FourThirds 305 g / 0.67 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Power OIS
Compare
FourThirds 320 g / 0.70 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
Compare
FourThirds 534 g / 1.17 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**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.

OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Alternatives in Micro Four Thirds Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro
Compare
FourThirds 254 g / 0.56 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II
Compare
FourThirds 112 g / 0.25 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R
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FourThirds 112 g / 0.25 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS Lens Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Compare
FourThirds 306 g / 0.67 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
Compare
FourThirds 382 g / 0.84 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ
Compare
FourThirds 211 g / 0.46 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
Compare
FourThirds 150 g / 0.33 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ
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FourThirds 91 g / 0.20 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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FourThirds 165 g / 0.36 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS
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FourThirds 110 g / 0.24 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS
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FourThirds 195 g / 0.43 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 Mega OIS
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FourThirds 70 g / 0.15 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS
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FourThirds 305 g / 0.67 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
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OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II Detailed Specifications


General
Brand OM
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds
Focal Range 12-40mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock No
Zoom Ratio 3.3X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F2.8
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 14
Optical Groups 9
Special Elements 1 aspherical element, 1 dual-sided aspherical element, 2 ED glass elements, 2 HR glass elements, 1 EDA glass element, 1 HD glass element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.2m
Max Magnification 0.3X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 382g
Diameter 70mm
Length 84mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 62mm
Filter Notes Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
Optional Accessories PRF-ZD62 PRO Protection FilterLSC-0811 Lens Case CS-53 Wrapping Cloth
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
is the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
is the OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Does OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II have Image Stabilization?
Does OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of OM System 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II


FOLLOW US


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