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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro MFT Review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro

Main Features

  • 12-100mm Focal Range
  • F4 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 561g / 1.23 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 78mm x 117mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.15m
  • Max Magnification: 0.3x
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Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro Overview


Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Superzoom Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and FourThirds max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with MFT cameras.

What type of photography is the Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeAverage
SportsAverage
PortraitGood
TravelExcellent
StreetGood
WeddingGood
Walk AroundVery Good
VloggingGood
LandscapeGood
MacroAverage

Reasons to Buy Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Full-time Manual Focusing
Internal Focusing
Fast Aperture at Tele end
Constant f4 aperture throughout the range
Versatile Lens with a Zoom Ratio of 8x
Minimum focus distance of 0.15m / 5.9 inch
Report a correction

Buy Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Pricey


Lens Mount

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro 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. Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has a maximum diameter of 78mm and total length of 117mm. It weighs 561g / 19.8 oz.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro and OM System 40-150mm F4.0 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.

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro vs OM System 40-150mm F4.0 PRO Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro and the OM System 40-150mm F4.0 PRO Size and Weight

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has a filter thread of 72mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro:

  • 72mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 72mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 72mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has a focal range of 12-100mm and 8.3X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-200mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.



Weather Sealings

The Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro 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 Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Panasonic G9 II, OM System OM-5 and Panasonic GH6.

Optical Image Stabilization

The Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro features Rotary (internal) zoom method where the length of the lens doesn't change while you are zooming in or out. Even though this design has a size disadvantage in general compared to extending designs, it has the benefits of better sealing against dust and moisture, no zoom creep and no weight balance shift while zooming.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.3x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.15m. 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 Superzoom Zoom type MFT mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Panasonic 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 II OIS: 0.5x - (Compare)
  • Tamron 14-150mm f3.5-5.8 III: 0.26x - (Compare)
  • Panasonic 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 O.I.S: 0.25x - (Compare)

Aperture

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f4 from 12mm all the way to the 100mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
12mm F4 F22
100mm F4 F22

Optical Formula

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 11 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • 1 DSA lens
  • 3 Aspherical lenses
  • 5 ED lenses
  • 2 Super HR lenses
  • 1 HR lens

Lens Hood

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is LH-76B.

Body Colour

Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
OM System 40-150mm F4.0 PRO Lens OM System 40-150mm F4.0 PRO
Compare
FourThirds 382 g / 0.84 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm F3.5-6.3 Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm F3.5-6.3
Compare
FourThirds 455 g / 1.00 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 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
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 OIS
Compare
FourThirds 360 g / 0.79 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 Pro Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4 Pro
Compare
FourThirds 411 g / 0.90 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
Compare
FourThirds 254 g / 0.56 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Compare
35mm FF 663 g / 1.46 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.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro Alternatives in Micro Four Thirds Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Power OIS
Compare
FourThirds 265 g / 0.58 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH.  Power O.I.S Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. Power O.I.S
Compare
FourThirds 265 g / 0.58 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm F4-5.8 OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm F4-5.8 OIS
Compare
FourThirds 460 g / 1.01 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Olympus
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type SuperZoom
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds
Focal Range 12-100mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock No
Zoom Ratio 8.3X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring unknown
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 17
Optical Groups 11
Special Elements 1 DSA lens, 3 Aspherical lenses, 5 ED lenses, 2 Super HR lenses, 1 HR lens

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.15m
Max Magnification 0.3X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type unknown
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 561g
Diameter 78mm
Length 117mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 72mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Hood Code LH-76B
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro
is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro
is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro
Does Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro have Image Stabilization?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro


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