- 12-60 millimeter f2.8-4.0 zoom lens for digital cameras (equivalent to 24-120 millimeter in 35 millimeter photography)
- Features Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) technology inside to provide quiet, ultra-fast autofocus speed
- In combination with the Olympus E-3 DLSR, delivers the fastest autofocus speed in the world
- 100-percent digital design ensures high-definition performance
- Features special optical glass elements to correct various types of aberrations
Product Description
To accompany the release of the E-3 professional D-SLR, Olympus is expanding its range of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, which are compatible with all Four Thirds System-based camera bodies. Among the new lenses are the astounding ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) models which boast the world’s fastest autofocus speeds and represent a new benchmark for professional versatility and performance…. More >>
Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
5 Comments
I really like the 12-60mm lens…Reviewer comments are right on the money. A fine piece of equipment. Nevermind the cost…good pictures are worth it, right. I wanted greater clarity in my photos. However, when I did a close comparison with my Olympus 18-180 lens and the 12-60 I found there was not much difference between them. The comparison was done in Lightroom 2 with a series of photos taken with both lenses under the same exact conditions (bright sunshine) and magnifications (even used the EC-20 2x converter). I know that Consumer Reports really trashed the 18-180 lens but I always liked it as a very practical lens that took fine pictures… but is it really up to the likes of the 12-60mm? I doubt it. My explanation: (1) I am not all that fussy about my photos and a better eye would see bigger differences, and (2) my E520 is at its maximum capability with either lens…perhaps if I used the E30 or the E3 there would be a much greater difference. For now I returned the Zuiko 12-60mm and plan to use the funds to buy the 50-200mm.
Rating: 5 / 5
1. By way of general background, I’m used to good quality optics: in the film era, I used Contax Zeiss primes (21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 60mm macro) and the Xpan with the 45mm and 30mm. In the digital era, I’ve used the Sony F828 and Sony R1 (both with Zeiss lens).
2. Brief impressions about the Olympus 12-60mm
* Excellent zoom range; perhaps the best overall zoom range for my type of photography.
* Excellent Construction and feel. Compared to the other brands, Olympus in general has some really nicely constructed lens.
* Image quality: for the technical analysis, one has to consult with the various website etc… However, subjectively, this is capable of producing very nice images. However, as others have noted on the web, it does have a funky distortion pattern at 12mm, which is difficult to correct for (even with PT lens etc…).
3. All in all, if one has an Olympus camera, it’s a no brainer to get this lens. If one currently does not have a DSLR system, this is one serious and legitimate reason that should persuade one to get into the Olympus system.
4. I didn’t give it a 5 star because only lens like the Zeiss Distagon 21mm 2.8 are true 5 star lens. But in terms of a mid level consumer grade lens, this one is a winner.
Rating: 4 / 5
Everybody loves this lens, and I do, too. I use it with an Oly E-620 and find the extra wide angle ability (24 equivalent) as compared to the usual 28 mm to be useful time-and-time again. Those extra 4 mm make a huge difference.
The lens focuses quite rapidly in almost any light, and is virtually as sharp as my sharpest lens, the Olympus 50mm F2 Macro. However, I’ve also found, repeatedly, that this lens fairly begs to be used with a tripod. When you bolt it down, step back, use a remote shutter release, the results are deeply satisfying.
I always prided myself on a rock-steady shooting stance, but repeated results with this lens in particular suggests that it “ain’t quite so.” Perhaps it’s mainly that when you allow it to, the results are amazingly sharp, so that, by comparison, anything less is really disappointing. It’s a lot of glass hanging on a small camera, and this might be part of the problem.
It handles head-on lighting without flare, has a pleasant bokeh, and is useful as a macro—since you can step considerably back, use the 120mm setting and get good image size. Again, the tripod…
Rating: 5 / 5
There is not a doubt in my mind that this is the best walk-around lens out there. It’s just super sharp at all focal lengths and at all f stops. I cannot recommend this lens enough!
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this lense about ten days ago and have been using it with my E-510 ever since. Last weekend I took a couple of hundred shots at my sons basket ball tournement with the 12-60mm. The results were excellent. Much better than what I would have been able to achieve with the 14-42 lense that I had been using on previous occasions.
The lense focusses fast and is very sharp. I am very pleased with it. There are only two potential drawbacks. Firstly it is quite expensive and secondly it is quite heavy (it weighs about 1 lb). Otherewise an excellent and a valuable addition to my camera system.
Recommended.
Rik.
Rating: 5 / 5