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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
  | sent on 25 Febbraio 2026 Pros: Sharpness, speed, focus distance, supports Olympus in-camera focus stacking. Cons: In the presence of very strong light it tends to lose contrast and perhaps the general rendering is a bit flat. Opinion: I don't have much to add to what has already been said, except that it is a lens compact enough to fit any body, a true luxury replacement for classic kit optics but not only. If it weren't for the brightness, the performance does not make you regret the fixed lenses, compared to which, with the same aperture, it is perhaps a little behind in rendering the three-dimensionality of the scene but it can be a subjective impression. For the rest I don't have much to say except that from some tests on optical sight I have detected resolution performance comparable to real "monsters" such as the 17 mm Pro by Olympus and the 60 mm F:2.8 DN by Sigma, compared to which it remains slightly behind but these are minimal differences and detectable only in HHHD mode, The point is that in comparison with fixed lenses it does not look bad at all and in normal use the difference is practically non-existent. |
 | sent on 02 Luglio 2025 Pros: Exceptional sharpness over the entire focal range already at f/4, extremely compact and light, PRO construction, Very fast and silent focusing, also excellent for video, Zero focus breathing, excellent almost macro performance 0.5× minimum focusing distance at 4cm from the lens at 12mm, chromatic aberrations and distortion well controlled (especially with software corrections), Optical quality more uniform than 12–40 f/2.8, robust lens hood with no internal tuners. Better colors than the 12-40 f2.8. It is an "original mirrorless" lens as a philosophy. Cons: Aperture limited to f/4 less suitable for portrait, low light, or extreme bokeh, slight drop in sharpness at the edges to 12mm if not corrected via software, no MF clutch or customizable L-Fn function, doesn't really update the PRO range Opinion: The Olympus 12–45mm f/4 PRO is a unique lens in the Micro 4/3 catalog: not only is it the only zoom in the PRO series with a constant f/4 aperture, but it is also the most compact professional zoom ever made for the system. At 254 grams and 63 mm long, it offers a truly rare combination of portability, professional construction and ultra-high optical quality. Despite its low weight, the 12–45 f/4 maintains the level of construction of the PRO series: all-metal body, tropicalized against dust, splash and frost, smooth and well-damped dials. The focus ring is electronic, and unlike the 12–40 f/2.8 PRO it does not have the clutch for direct manual override, nor the L-Fn button on the barrel. It is a choice that highlights how this lens is designed to be discreet and efficient, rather than to satisfy the "classic" reflex ergonomics. In the hand it is perfectly balanced on any Olympus or OM System body, but it combines in a particularly synergistic way with more compact cameras such as the OM-3, OM-5, E-M5 Mark III or Pen-F, making them perfect travel kits. The most surprising fact of the 12–45mm is the overall optical performance: the lens offers high sharpness already at full aperture (f/4) throughout the focal range, with performance that often exceeds that of the brighter 12–40mm f/2.8 PRO, especially with regard to the homogeneity between the center and the edges. The behavior at 12mm shows a very slight drop at the extremes in the absence of software correction, but already at 14–16mm the quality becomes practically uniform. The center is always excellent, and the peak sharpness is already reached at f/4, without the need to close the aperture. This makes the lens extremely usable even in low light conditions, as long as you compensate for the lower brightness with ISO or stabilization. The correction of chromatic aberrations is very good, even without software intervention. Geometric distortion is mainly present at 12mm, but is automatically corrected in JPEGs and RAW via embedded profiles. The vignetting is slight and is already reduced to f/5.6. The "focus breathing" effect is practically absent, which makes it ideal for videographers as well. One of the most underrated yet powerful aspects of this lens is how it renders at close range. With a minimum focusing distance of 12 cm at the shortest focal length (and about 23 cm at 45mm), the equivalent magnification ratio reaches 0.5×, a true semi-macro performance. The images are engraved, detailed, with very little distortion and no loss of sharpness at the edges, making it perfect for food, objects, architectural details and "light" naturalistics. The 12–45mm f/4 PRO is a much more interesting lens than its f/4 aperture would suggest. In a system like the Micro 4/3, where the depth of field is already naturally more extensive, giving up f/2.8 is less penalizing than it would be on full frame. In return, you get an extremely portable lens that is optically more consistent than the 12–40 f/2.8, with advanced macro performance, and image quality that holds its own against fixed lenses. It's not the lens for those who want maximum blur or handheld shooting in extreme light, but it's the perfect lens for reportage, travel and mindful photography, where lightness and consistent quality really make the difference. |
 | sent on 19 Dicembre 2024 Pros: Compact, lightweight, solid construction Cons: missing FN key and MF clutch Opinion: I had both the 12-40 and the 12-100 but in the end as a handyman I kept this one and sold all the others because I gave priority to compactness which is fundamental for me, as I hate to shoot with too flashy and above all heavy guns; Perfect as a travel and touring lens, especially paired with a fixed one like the 20mm Pro you get a tiny and tropicalized system with a negligible weight, excellent for trips with only one hand luggage on the plane for example, where space is limited. Super sharpness as for the big brothers, I didn't notice any significant differences. Very solid metal construction, a pleasure to handle and use like all lenses in the pro olympus/OM series. Used in the Moroccan desert and in the medina of Marrakech where changing lenses is quite complicated due to the large amount of dust and pollution, no problems encountered. Too bad only for the lack of the function button and clutch manual focus but I guess it was necessary to give up to keep the lens very compact. If you are looking for a compact zoomino ready for anything, I recommend it, especially for series 1 and series 5 bodies |
  | sent on 10 Aprile 2023 Pros: compactness, IQ, construction Cons: f/4, hood, FN button missing Opinion: I have it very recently, but already those times I used this zoom the quality of the images produced left me with a very good impression; starting from the IQ the first things I noticed compared to the 12-40 were: the minimum distortion at 12mm, the greater resistance to flare and a certain vivacity of the colors compared to the "drier" yield of the 12-40; then in general it has an excellent yield at all focal lengths. As for the construction is the trademark olympus (or should I say OM system) combined with a compactness that I would call embarrassing for the IQ it returns. I think it's the ideal zoom to take with you along with a camera as compact as the EM5 III (which I took together as an offer) for a reportage trip. Having to point out the "cons" I think that in this case are factors of second or third order, such as obviously the castrated brightness at f / 4 or as the lack of the FN button that in some cases is useful; Finally, in my opinion, I do not find the hood supplied as a pro objective but for the price / quality ratio you can be satisfied. |
 | sent on 24 Luglio 2022 Pros: Compactness, sharpness, construction Cons: The switch to switch to manual focus with metric scales. Opinion: I had for a while this lens, all the features for which you buy are confirmed once purchased. Excellent sharpness at all focal lengths already at full aperture, I do not find defects either backlight or as distortions at the minimum focal length (for my use), in low light conditions it slows down the autofocus a little becoming less precise. Why prefer it to 2.8? surely for the compactness and practicality of use in addition to the lower cost, why prefer it to the 12-100 f4? even more so for the compactness and cost. If the focal lengths of use are sufficient for your way of photographing and do not interest the blurred in my opinion it is an excellent lens. In general, landscape and / or street use it has no rivals in the system, even the stabilization in the room is sufficient given the focal lengths at stake. Another point in favor is the minimum focusing distance that allows you to make excellent close-ups even in wide-angle format. I used it on Olympus EM-1 Mark II and EM-10 and it never gave any problems. It allows you to better appreciate and understand the M4/3 system. I sold it for non-use but I will buy it again soon as soon as I start traveling again... |
 | sent on 29 Dicembre 2021 Pros: Build quality, speed, size, excursion, price Cons: manfa fn button and MF clutch Opinion: A Zoom PRO very suitable for those who use non-professional M43 bodies that are a bit unbalanced with the 12-40 2.8... excellent construction and speed of the af, very good image quality. It is not a razor like the 12-40 pro, but more similar to the 12-60 Leica as a general feeling of the image. It behaves well in all situations, and is very usable at TA. Excellent close focus very very small. a beautiful lens, pro quality, at an affordable price |
 | sent on 23 Novembre 2021 Pros: Image quality, homogeneous rendering, "macro" reproduction ratio, construction, weight. Cons: Nobody. Opinion: Fantastic lens. I sold it because it was little used, but I know I will regret it. Homogenous and beautiful rendering at all focal lengths and apertures. Excellent construction. You could say that the cons is the maximum aperture F4, but if you buy this lens instead of the little brother 2.8 you do it consciously and you already know that it will not be a problem for the photos you have to take. |
 | sent on 09 Marzo 2021 Pros: Size and weight, image quality, homogeneous yield to the different focal points, construction. Cons: You give up the function button and the sliding ring to switch to manual focus. Opinion: It seems to use a miniaturized 12-100/4: optical yield, AF speed, robustness, feeling of the rings - The tiny size (for a zoom) imposes the aforementioned waivers, but are in my opinion largely compensated by the practicality of use and the rendering of the image. The lampshed is very protective, but discreetly increases its dimensions. Unlike the brother 12-40/2.8 circulates little in second hand, so its price remains quite high. Stabilization only in the chamber is largely sufficient for the maximum focal of 45mm. |
 | sent on 07 Novembre 2020 Pros: Quality, compactness, lightness Cons: Nothing Opinion: Purchased in kit with an M5 mark III. It covers almost all photo situations, weighs little and is convenient to carry around. Of course F4 as a maximum aperture is a bit high, but how many photos are taken at full opening. Portraits, I don't make many and anyway I'm thinking of buying at about 20 euros an adapter that allows me to use an old one at full opening (!) F.Zuiko 50 f1.8. Let's not forget that it focuss at 12 cm, it is not a macro but allows you to take great photos at close range. Great purchase. |
 | sent on 28 Giugno 2020 Pros: Small, light, well-balanced with small bodies, fixed diaphragm, minimum distance of respect, uniformity of yield from edge to edge, sharpness ... Cons: f4 might seem like a limit but if you want brightness there is the 12-40 the 12-45 does another job ... Opinion: this lens is fully part of the micro four-thirds philosophy, see the pros, I see no flaws for those who choose this format, accompanied by a 17 or 25 1.8 you cover most situations ... The Olympus stabilizer helps a lot not to feel how defect the diaphragm to f4, besides, taking up close the output of the blurry is extremely soft and fluid, very pleasant, who chooses this format however for the boke will use more |
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