§ 03 Head to head

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ vs Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.

Olympus 12–50mm f/3.5-6.3 has a longer reach. Panasonic 12–32mm f/3.5-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture.

Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ is a 12–50mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom, and the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. is a 12–32mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. On paper the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. comes out ahead, 7 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ better than the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?

  • Longer reach (50mm vs 32mm)

Why is the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. better than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ?

  • Brighter maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.6 vs f/3.5-6.3)
  • 141 g lighter (70 g vs 211 g)
  • 59 mm shorter (24 mm vs 83 mm long)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • More aperture blades (7 vs 5)
  • Smaller filter thread (37 mm vs 52 mm)
  • Newer design (2013 vs 2011)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has the edge: it is 141 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has the edge: it is 141 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationOlympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZPanasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.
Focal length12–50mm 12–32mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5-6.3 f/3.5-5.6 ◆
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Weight211 g (7.44 oz) 70 g (2.47 oz) ◆
Dimensions57 x 83 mm 55.5 x 24 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.2 m (7.87 inches) 0.2 m (7.87 inches)
Image stabilizationNo Yes ◆
Weather sealingYes —
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades5 7 ◆
Optical construction10 elements / 9 groups 8 elements / 7 groups
Filter size52 mm 37 mm ◆
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Released2011 2013
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Olympus
  • B · Panasonic
  • 83 × 57 mm
  • 24 × 55.5 mm

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ is 59 mm longer and 141 g heavier than the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S..

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ

Sundial, Chichester cathedral
Sundial, Chichester cathedral by Casaubon21
Porthleven Harbour Breakwater
Porthleven Harbour Breakwater by c.richard
by the lake
by the lake by efthymis_kal
Recreación histórica.
Recreación histórica. by J.G.Sansano
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ review 1
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ review 2
Video thumbnail for Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. review 1
Video thumbnail for Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ or the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?
The Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. opens to f/3.5-5.6, against f/3.5-6.3 on the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ.
Which is lighter, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ or the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S.?
The Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. weighs 70 g, 141 g less than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ (211 g).
Do the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ and the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. have image stabilization?
Only the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has optical image stabilization.
Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ or the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has the edge: it is 141 g lighter to carry.
Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 ED EZ or the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. better for architecture?
For architecture, the Panasonic G VARIO 12-32 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. M.O.I.S. has the edge: it is 141 g lighter to carry.