Olympus introduces lightweight 12-45mm F4 Pro lens


nstclicks

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Nov 23, 2008
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Huh ? Why would Olympus need a 12-40, 12-45 and 12-50 lenses ? Yes, there's a slight difference in weight, aperture and so on, but still...

I notice the Singapore Olympus webstore no longer sells the 12-50 but the USA site does.



Olympus introduces lightweight 12-45mm F4 Pro lens
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CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 12, 2020 — Olympus is pleased to announce the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO[1] lens, scheduled for availability April 7, 2020. This high-performance medium range zoom PRO lens conforms to the Micro Four Thirds® System standard and features superb optical performance at all focal lengths, while being the world’s most compact, lightweight model[2]. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 joins the M.Zuiko PRO category of lenses, possessing dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (-10°C) performance that delivers excellent image quality and peace of mind even when shooting in the most severe environments. This lens delivers superb resolution to the edge of the frame across the entire zoom range, making the most of the appealing aspects of the Micro Four Thirds System standard. It features supreme macro capabilities with a maximum magnification of 0.5x (35mm equivalent) across the entire zoom range, making it an anytime, anywhere, all-around lens. When paired with the Olympus OM-D® E-M5 Mark III, this lens delivers high resolution and amazing portability to conveniently carry in a small bag.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO lens is the world’s most compact, lightweight medium range zoom PRO lens with a fixed aperture value covering a focal length from wide angle 24mm to telephoto 90mm (35mm equivalent). It consists of nearly 190 precision machined components all mounted in a dense configuration, resulting in a size of 63.4 mm./2.5 in. (max. diameter) x 70 mm/2.76 in. (overall length), and a weight of approximately 254 g/8.96 oz. This small and lightweight lens delivers high-speed, precise autofocus for capturing any subject. Its dustproof and splashproof construction contains sealing in nine places to keep out dust and rain, providing peace of mind when shooting in active situations[3].
Effective placement of aspherical lenses and ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) Coating provide clear depictive performance, drastically reduce aberrations, ghosts, and flare for sharp, high-definition image quality. Suppressing loss of light at the edges of images makes it possible to obtain bright, clear depictive performance up to the very edges. Because the aperture value is fixed across the entire focal length, it is easy to control the exposure when zooming and when recording video.
Enjoy macro shooting with a maximum magnification of 0.5x (35mm equivalent) across the entire zoom range. The closest focusing distance is 12 cm at the wide-angle end, and 23 cm at the telephoto end, delivering a wide range of macro shooting effects, including wide-angle macro shots that emphasize a sense of perspective by capturing vast backgrounds, and telephoto macro shots for more significant background defocusing effects. Diverse macro effects are possible, such as Focus Stacking[4], which generates a single image on the camera with a large depth-of-field in focus from the foreground to the background.
Pair the new M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4.0 PRO lens with the recently announced Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III to create the ultimate travel combination. As Olympus’ smallest weathersealed combination to date[5], at just 670 g/23.6 oz., you are able to travel with ease and shoot on-the-go, no matter the environment. Enjoy a bright constant aperture of F4.0, along with a myriad of pro features brought to you in the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. Lighten up with this ultimate travel combo and change both your photography and lifestyle forever.
Pricing and Availability
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-45mm F4.0 PRO lens (black) comes bundled with the LH-61G lens hood, specifically designed to protect the lens and reduce unwanted light entering the lens in backlit situations. The lens will be available April 7, 2020. The lens will have a suggested retail price of $649.99 USD and $849.99 CAD.
[1] 35mm equivalent: 24-90mm
[2] As of February 12, 2020. World’s most compact, lightweight medium range zoom PRO lens with a fixed aperture value.
[3] When combined with a dustproof and splashproof OM-D series body.
[4] Supported cameras: OM-D E-M1 Mark III. A firmware update is required for the following camera models: OM-D E-M1X, OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark III
[5] As of February 12, 2020. Camera body sold separately
 

Very sad. Is this the best that Olympus can do in 2020? Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS made donkey years ago, is so cheap, it is almost free. And the pitiful Olympus lens costing USD$650 does not even have IS. Anyway, MFT concept in the year 2020 is a bit overtaken by competing formats due to improvement in technology and resulting drop in prices of bigger sensors.
 

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The Panasonic 14-45 is really more comparable to the early olympus 14-42 (pre-EZ). Both are kit lenses, adequate for the job and cheap. The olympus 12-50 is also a non-PRO lens so could be said to be the economy version. Question is whether there is enough of a market for both the 12-40 and 12-45 PRO lenses given that there is only one stop difference in aperture between them.
 

Don't forget Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. lens from 2017.
Also Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. lens from 2016.
So many around the general range. Over dose.
 

Pointless release.. the 12-40mm f2.8 is cheaper and faster.
 

Pointless release.. the 12-40mm f2.8 is cheaper and faster.
I looked the prices on B&H. The 12-40 f/2.8 is USD200 more.