Handling and features Performance Verdict Specification This 4.2x zoom lens from Olympus is compatible with Micro Four Thirds system cameras and provides an angle of view equivalent to a 24-100mm lens on a 35mm camera.

Novel design; Excellent macro feature; Good splash-proof build; Zoom switchable between powered and direct modes; Lightweight

Slow f/6.3 maximum aperture at 50mm; Lower sharpness than many other Micro Four Thirds lenses; especially at 50mm; Prone to flare at 12mm and no hood is supplied as standard

Based on its specifications alone, it would be tempting to dub the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ a "jack of all trades, master of none", but this would be unfair.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ Lens ($499.99 direct) is a 4x zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras . It covers a wide angle to telephoto field of view, equivalent to 24-100mm in traditional 35mm photography, and also sports a special Macro function that allows the lens to focus...

This 4.2x zoom lens from Olympus is compatible with Micro Four Thirds system cameras and provides an angle of view equivalent to a 24-100mm lens on a 35mm camera. Unusually for a lens covering this range the maximum aperture is rather slow at the telephoto end at only f/6.3.

A versatile general-purpose lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, which features motorised zoom control for smooth movie shooting.

On paper the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ looks like a rather conventional standard zoom lens but it is somewhat unusual in a couple of aspects. You may have noticed the "EZ" in the lens name - this refers to an lektro-magnetic oom mechanism, usually also referred to as power zoom.

Compared to other kit lenses I've owned from other systems this is the best so far! Surely it doesn't match a prime lens for sharpness or shallow DOF, but what it does it does well. Really find the macro function and 12mm wide end very useful. Rating is only to be compared with other kit lenses.

Useful 12mm wide end; Overall good sharpness; Macro function

A bit slow aperture

This is a everyday lens. It is strong and weather tight so those rain drops are fine. I used it to replace the lens that came on my camera. Having the ability to use as a macro makes it the best choice for me.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Rugged; Strong Construction

None at this time

It's quite a good lens for what it is, and the price, but it suffers very badly from chromatic aberrations and is not amazingly sharp. Also it's flare handling is not very pleasant, certainly compared to a Canon.

Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Quick Focus; Rugged

Chromatic Aberration; Flare Handling; Resolution

a great kit lens for the om-d. can easily be an everyday lens, when it's raining and you still want to use your camera without a plastic bag around it.

Nice build quality, even if it's plastic; very good for video in bright sunlight l-fn for video strong "Pumpy" zoom control weatherproof easily one of the best kit lens for MFT not too big on a om-d

aperture is not fixed and very slow; Not really suitable for Variable nd filters because of the round front element