§ 03 Head to head

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II vs Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro

Olympus 14–150mm f/4-5.6 has a longer reach. Olympus 12–100mm f/4.0 has a brighter maximum aperture.

Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II is a 14–150mm f/4-5.6 zoom, and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro is a 12–100mm f/4.0 zoom. On paper the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, 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 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II better than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro?

  • Longer reach (150mm vs 100mm)
  • 276 g lighter (285 g vs 561 g)
  • 34 mm shorter (83 mm vs 116.5 mm long)
  • Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 72 mm)

Why is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro better than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II?

  • Brighter maximum aperture (f/4.0 vs f/4-5.6)
  • Wider field of view (12mm vs 14mm)
  • Focuses 35 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.5 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Newer design (2016 vs 2015)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has the edge: it goes wider, to 12mm against 14mm.
  • architecture For architecture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has the edge: it goes wider, to 12mm against 14mm.
03

Specification

18 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationOlympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED IIOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro
Focal length14–150mm 12–100mm
Maximum aperturef/4-5.6 f/4.0 ◆
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Weight285 g (10.05 oz) ◆561 g (1.24 lbs)
Dimensions63.5 x 83 mm 77.5 mm (diameter) x 116.5 mm (length)
Minimum focusing distance0.5 m (19.69 inches) 0.15 m (5.9 inches) ◆
Maximum magnification—0.3x (0.6x 35mm equivalent)
Image stabilizationNo Yes (Sync IS with compatible cameras) ◆
Weather sealingYes Dust, splash, and freeze-resistant
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades7 7 (circular)
Optical construction15 elements / 11 groups 17 elements in 11 groups (including 1 DSA, 3 Aspherical, 5 ED, 2 Super HR, and 1 HR elements)
Filter size58 mm ◆72 mm
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Released2015 2016
Price$779.99 list price —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Olympus
  • B · Olympus
  • 83 × 63.5 mm
  • 116.5 × 77.5 mm

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro is 33 mm longer and 276 g heavier than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro

Old houses along via Cereina at Airuno, Lecco province, Italy
Old houses along via Cereina at Airuno, Lecco province, Italy by clodio61
Road to the historic church known as Madonna della Pace alla Rocchetta at Airuno, Lecco province, Italy
Road to the historic church known as Madonna della Pace alla Rocchetta at Airuno, Lecco province, Italy by clodio61
Kadonowaki Elementary School Ruins, Ishinomaki city 2025/07 No.4.
Kadonowaki Elementary School Ruins, Ishinomaki city 2025/07 No.4. by HIDE@Verdad
Kadonowaki Elementary School Ruins, Ishinomaki city 2025/07 No.3.
Kadonowaki Elementary School Ruins, Ishinomaki city 2025/07 No.3. by HIDE@Verdad
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II review 1
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II review 2
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro review 1
Video thumbnail for Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II or the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro?
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro opens to f/4.0, against f/4-5.6 on the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II.
Which is lighter, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II or the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro?
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II weighs 285 g, 276 g less than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro (561 g).
Which focuses closer, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II or the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro?
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.5 m for the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II.
Do the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro have image stabilization?
Only the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has optical image stabilization.
Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II or the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has the edge: it goes wider, to 12mm against 14mm.
Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-150 mm f/4.0-5.6 ED II or the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro better for architecture?
For architecture, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro has the edge: it goes wider, to 12mm against 14mm.
08

Other comparisons