Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO § 03 Head to head
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO vs Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S.
Olympus 12–40mm f/2.8 has a longer reach. Panasonic 12–35mm f/2.8 is 76 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 Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. is a 12–35mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO 
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. 01
Key differences
Why is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO better than the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S.?
- Longer reach (40mm vs 35mm)
Why is the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. better than the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO?
- 76 g lighter (306 g vs 382 g)
- 15 mm shorter (68.6 mm vs 84 mm long)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.2 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 62 mm)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. has the edge: it is 76 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. has the edge: it is 76 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power 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) | 306 g (10.79 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 69.9 mm (diameter) x 84 mm (length) | 73.8 x 68.6 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m (7.87 inches) | 0.15 m (5.91 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.3x (0.6x 35mm equivalent) | — |
| Image stabilization | No | Yes ◆ |
| Weather sealing | Dust, splash, and freeze-resistant | — |
| 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 | 2022 |
| Price | — | $1,099.99 list price |
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Size
- A · Olympus
- B · Panasonic
- 84 × 69.9 mm
- 68.6 × 73.8 mm
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO is 15 mm longer and 76 g heavier than the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S..
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Sample frames
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S.
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. weighs 306 g, 76 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 Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S.?
- The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.2 m for the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO.
- Do the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. have image stabilization?
- Only the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. has the edge: it is 76 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO or the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. has the edge: it is 76 g lighter to carry.
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