OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm F/2.8 PRO II Lens Review
[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]
It was way back in 2014 that we reviewed the first version of this lens, but now we have an updated Mk II, with the new ZERO coating and IP53-rated dust and splashproof construction. Clearly, the basic ethos of the lens is sound and it has a firm place in the OM System armamentarium of optics, so let’s couple it up with the flagship OM-1 body and see how it handles and performs.
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Handling and Features
A nicely made lens, weighing in at just 382g, and measuring a reasonably compact 84mm long and 69.9mm diameter, looking just a little bulkier than the already reviewed 12-45mm f/4 version. It still balances well using either the OM-1 or the smaller OM-5 bodies. The lens is dust, splashproof and freezeproof to the IP53 standard, so although not waterproof this offers a good level of protection against the elements. For the full benefit of this, it should be coupled to one of the IP53-rated bodies.
Starting our tour of the lens at the front, the supplied bayonet fit lens hood fits cleanly into position and is held in place with a small recessed locking catch. This is secure and there should be no chance of the hood working loose. Within the bayonet fit for the hood is a conventional 62mm filter thread.
The focusing ring offers an excellent grip and pulling the ring towards the camera body reveals the distance scale and enables manual focus. In MF mode the ring has hard stops at both ends of the scale, whereas in AF mode the MF ring continuously rotates.
Focusing is internal, so the length of the lens does not change, but the zoom ring is mechanical and the lens does extend as we zoom in to 40mm. The action of this is quite firm and slightly notchy, not totally smooth. However, with a bit of use this is smoothing out. The zoom ring is marked with focal lengths of 12mm, 14mm, 18mm, 25mm, 35mm and 40mm. These settings are accurate.
The only other control is the L-Fn button, by default set to halt AF, but programmable via the camera menu to a wide variety of alternative functions. AF is fast, accurate and almost silent. Focusing is down to 0.2m or 0.66 feet, for a maximum magnification of 0.3x. This is usefully close, but the lens is not compatible with teleconverters, so that is as close as we get.
There is no IS built into the lens, so we are reliant on any inbuilt into the camera body.
Lens construction is 14 elements in 9 groups, including 1 ED Aspheric, 2 Aspheric, 1 DSA (Dual Super Aspherical), 2 ED (Extra Low Dispersion), 1 HD and 2 HR (High Refractive Index). The diaphragm comprises 7 blades designed to give a rounded aperture, for improved bokeh. Use of the new ZERO coating helps to remove any possibility of flare.
Apart from the zoom being slightly uneven in tension, the lens behaves faultlessly and is a good choice for a general-purpose optic. Handling is excellent and there is little need for MF as the AF system is excellent. However, should it be desired the MF clutch mechanism is straightforward and effective – a good design.
Now it’s time to look at the performance.
[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II PRO Performance
At 12mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 to f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are outstanding at f/2.8, excellent from f/4 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22.
At 14mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 to f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent from f/2.8 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22.
At 25mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 to f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent at f/2.8, outstanding at f/4 and f/5.6, excellent at f/8 and f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22.
At 40mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 to f/8, excellent at f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent at f/2.8, outstanding at f/4, excellent from f/5.6 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22.
No two ways about it, this is an outstanding result, with no real drop off in performance either at the edges or as we zoom towards the longer focal lengths.
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II MTF Charts
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How to read our MTF chartsThe blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution and sharpness as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. For this review, the lens was tested on an OM-1 using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses? |
CA (Chromatic Aberration) is measured with any in-camera corrections switched off, as far as we can tell anyway. CA figures are commendably low all through the range and in normal photography there is no sign of colour fringing. If there should be an extreme situation where it needed further correction, then there are always software solutions.
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Chromatic Aberration Charts
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How to read our CA chartsChromatic aberration (CA) is the lens’ inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software. Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. For this review, the lens was tested on an OM-1 using Imatest. |
Distortion is also creditably low, and the lens is virtually rectilinear throughout. Distortion can be measured and this gives us -0.65% barrel at 12mm, -0.03% barrel at 14mm, +0.04% pincushion at 25mm and again +0.04% pincushion at 40mm.
Bokeh is smooth and pleasant and at 40mm, for example, should provide some good out-of-focus backgrounds for portraiture.
The ZERO coating is highly effective, and flare is pretty much banished, even in the most demanding lighting.
Vignetting can be seen at the widest apertures and widest focal lengths in particular but is not excessive and is unlikely to be a problem. If necessary, further corrections can be made in software.
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| Aperture | 12mm | 14mm | 25mm | 40mm |
| f/2.8 | -1.5 | -1.6 | -1.5 | -0.9 |
| f/4 | -1.4 | -1.6 | -1.5 | -0.7 |
| f/5.6 | -1.3 | -1.5 | -1.3 | -0.5 |
| f/8 | -1.3 | -1.5 | -1.3 | -0.4 |
| f/11 | -1.3 | -1.4 | -1.3 | -0.4 |
| f/16 | -1.2 | -1.4 | -1.3 | -0.4 |
| f/22 | -1.2 | -1.4 | -1.3 | -0.4 |
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Sample Photos
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You can view additional images in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
[SECTION]VERDICT[/SECTION]
Value For Money
The [AMUK]OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II|OM System+lens[/AMUK] lens is priced at £899.
By comparison, some alternatives might be:
- [AMUK]OM System M.Zuiko ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO|OM System+lens[/AMUK], £599
- [AMUK]OM System M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO|OM System+lens[/AMUK], £1199
- [AMUK]OM System M.Zuiko ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3|OM System+lens[/AMUK], £879
- [AMUK]Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit Asph 12-35mm f/2.8|Panasonic+lens[/AMUK], £879
- [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix G X Vario Asph Power OIS 12-35mm f/2.8 II|Panasonic+lens[/AMUK], £799
- [AMUK]Panasonic Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Power OIS 12-60mm f/2.8-4|Panasonic+lens[/AMUK], £799
- [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix G Vario Power OIS 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6|Panasonic+lens[/AMUK], £349
The new lens is at the upper end of cost, but on the other hand, it has IP53 sealing, a fast f/2.8 aperture and outstanding performance.
For more lens options, have a look at our lens top lists which feature optics we’ve reviewed and compiled into easy-to-read lists so you can make more informed decisions.
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OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Verdict
There is little sign here that the smaller MFT format is causing much in the way of diffraction issues with this lens. Sharpness is maintained throughout the aperture range and also throughout the focal length range, to an extraordinary degree. There have been many claims in the past that zoom lenses perform as well as any primes within their range, and in this case that is definitely true.
The cost of this is a slightly higher price and an increase in bulk, but the latter point may be moot as the lens is not particularly heavy anyway. We really see the benefits of the compact nature of the MFT format here. It is just possible that some might choose the more compact 12-45mm f/4 option and save £300 in the process, but then again we have to set this against the more expensive lens that has a truly outstanding performance level.
It can definitely be Highly Recommended.
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Pros
- Ourstanding and even sharpness
- Moderate CA
- Virtually no distortion
- Modest vignetting
- Splash and dust resistance to IP53
- Fast and silent AF
- Smooth bokeh
- Minimal flare
- Close focusing
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Cons
- Price at the higher end of options
- Slightly notchy zoom action
[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4|R_handling=5|R_performance=5|R_value=4.5|R_overall=4.5|A_level=4.5|A_text= Highly Recommended – A great general purpose zoom with outstanding sharpness throughout the range.|E_id=7871[/REVIEW_FOOTER]
Own this lens? Let us know what you think of it in the EQDB.
[SECTION]SPECIFICATIONS[/SECTION]
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Specifications
| Manufacturer | OM System | |
| General | ||
| Lens Mounts |
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| Lens | ||
| Focal Length | 12mm – 40mm | |
| Angle of View | 30° – 84° | |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | |
| Min Aperture | f/22 | |
| Filter Size | 62mm | |
| Stabilised | No | |
| 35mm equivalent | 24mm – 80mm | |
| Internal focusing | Yes | |
| Maximum magnification | No Data | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | 20cm | |
| Construction | ||
| Blades | 7 | |
| Elements | 14 | |
| Groups | 9 | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | LSC-0918 Lens Case, Lens Hood, Lens Cap (Front and rear) | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 382g | |
| Height | 84mm | |
Spotted a mistake? Let us know in the EQDB.
Source: Photography News
OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm F/2.8 PRO II Lens Review
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