Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of my favorite 4/3 lenses of that period was the Olympus Zuiko ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2017
I began using 4/3 system cameras before the advent of micro 4/3. One of my favorite 4/3 lenses of that period was the Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD. The 24-120 (full frame equivalent) range is extremely useful, especially for traveling. Thus, I was intrigued in knowing if the new Panasonic-Leica 12-60 f2.8-4 would fill that gap again for me. I have also used the excellent Olympus 12-40 f2.8 as well as the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8. The Olympus 12-40 is a great lens, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little more reach. Although both Olympus and Panasonic have made cheaper lenses, whose ranges are useful (e.g., the Olympus 12-50 3.5-6.3 and Panasonic 12-60 f3.5-5.6), these lenses are slower and seem to be not up to the same quality standards as the Olympus pro lenses and the Panasonic-Leica lenses.
In the first few weeks of use, I have been very impressed by the Panasonic-Leica 12-60 f2.8-4 image quality, sharpness, and color rendition. I have been using it on both the Panasonic GX 8 and the OMD EM1 Mark ii. It is nicely balanced on both cameras. Its image stabilization (IS) only works in sync with the newer Panasonic bodies, but not Olympus bodies. Nevertheless, the five-axis stabilization of the new Olympus OMD is outstanding, so I haven’t noticed any issues in using this lens on the Olympus body.
The zoom is silky smooth, the lens is fast focusing, and its construction is very good and weather resistant, although it does not seem to have the more substantial build-quality feel of the Panasonic-Leica f42.5mm Nocticron lens, which is one of my favorites. The f2.8 is also nice to have at its 12 mm length, but it starts creeping up to 3.0 and ultimately 4.0 fairly rapidly when you begin to zoom in closer.
In terms of size, it is nearly comparable to the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 (diameter 70 mm Oly vs. 68 mm Pan-Leica; length 84 mm Oly vs. 86 mm Pan-Leica). Both use a 62 mm filter thread. In terms of weight, the Pana-Leica is only 320 g compared to the Oly 12-40 at 382 g. When compared to the excellent new Olympus 12-100 f4.0 at 561 g, the Pan-Leica is considerable lighter, although without the tele-zoom reach. I considered the new Olympus 12-100 mm, but the Pan-Leica is about $300 cheaper and more compact, with a faster aperture at the wide range. The lens is also purported to be very good for video, although my primary purpose in using it is for stills.
I intend to use this lens particularly for travel purposes and some street photography. Overall, I find it to be a nice compromise between the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 and the Olympus 12-100 f4.0 both in size, range, and price. You won’t regret have any of these lenses, but I am, thus far, pleased with my choice as I am also trying to reduce the total number of lenses I use.