Which is lighter, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S?

The Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S weighs 305 g, 77 g less than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO (382 g).

Which focuses closer, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S?

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO focuses down to 0.2 m, against 0.25 m for the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S.

Do the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO and the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S have image stabilization?

Only the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S has optical image stabilization.

Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S better for landscape photography?

For landscape photography, the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S has the edge: it is 77 g lighter to carry.

Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S better for architecture?

For architecture, the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S has the edge: it is 77 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO vs Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S

Olympus 12–40mm f/2.8 has a longer reach. Panasonic 12–35mm f/2.8 is 77 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO is a 12–40mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S is a 12–35mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO

f/2.8 · 12–40mm · 382 g

Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S

f/2.8 · 12–35mm · 305 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO better than the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S?

Longer reach (40mm vs 35mm)
Focuses 5 cm closer (0.2 m vs 0.25 m)
Newer design (2022 vs 2012)

Why is the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S better than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO?

77 g lighter (305 g vs 382 g)
10 mm shorter (74 mm vs 84 mm long)
Has optical image stabilization
Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 62 mm)

Which should you buy?

By use

landscape For landscape photography, the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S has the edge: it is 77 g lighter to carry.
architecture For architecture, the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S has the edge: it is 77 g lighter to carry.

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO	Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S
Focal length	12–40mm	12–35mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Lens type	Standard zoom lens	Zoom lens
Format	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds
Weight	382 g (13.5 oz)	305 g (10.76 oz) ◆
Dimensions	69.9 mm (diameter) x 84 mm (length)	68 x 74 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.2 m (7.87 inches) ◆	0.25 m (9.84 inches)
Maximum magnification	0.3x (0.6x 35mm equivalent)	—
Image stabilization	No	Yes ◆
Weather sealing	Dust, splash, and freeze-resistant	Yes
Aperture ring	No	No
Aperture blades	7 (circular)	7
Optical construction	14 elements in 9 groups (including 1 aspherical element, 1 dual-sided aspherical element, 2 ED glass elements, 2 HR glass elements, 1 EDA glass element, and 1 HD glass element)	14 elements / 9 groups
Filter size	62 mm	58 mm ◆
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds	Micro Four Thirds
Released	2022	2012

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Olympus
B · Panasonic

84 × 69.9 mm
74 × 68 mm

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO is 10 mm longer and 77 g heavier than the Panasonic G X VARIO 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. P.O.I.S.

Sample frames

Shot on each lens