Olympus 12-45mm F4 vs 12-40mm F2.8 - Which Is Sharper?
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
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This is a continuation of my previous review of Olympus M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4 PRO lens. If you have not watched that video, please do so here: • Olympus 12-45mm F4 PRO...
In that video I asked if you are interested in seeing a side by side extensive comparison between the new 12-45mm F4 vs the older 12-40mm F2.8 PRO, and the response was an overwhelming yes, hence I made this video. I made a bold claim in the previous video that based on my observation the 12-45mm F4 PRO was slightly sharper than 12-40mm F2.8 PRO, and I also commented that both lenses performed very close in terms of optics quality. I also made the claim without doing a comparison, which I am adding in this particular video.
This video is made in accompaniment to my blog article here: robinwong.blog...
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I bought the 12-45 f/4 pro based on your review. It’s awesome. Beautiful rendering, lightning fast focus, and a perfect fit on the E-M5mk3.
Thanks Robin.
I expected it to be sharp but looks like it is absolutely sharp wide open! Well done, Olympus! Thanks again Robin! My questions are answered ;)
Thanks, and my pleasure doing this
It just answered all the critics and all the people that were asking why this lens. Excelent.
Does anyone else come away from this thinking that Robin Wong seems like an incredibly nice guy? Thank you, sir. I travel and the size and weight savings of the 12-45 are seductive. The macro advantage is also intriguing- but if that is only at the wide end, then the huge loss of working distance mitigates this.
Thank you Robin for another brilliant and informative video. So appreciate of your channel and responsiveness to us viewers' questions, recommendations, etc. Keep up the great work!
Yesterday I bought the OM-D E-M1 Mark ii with the Zuiko 12-45 Pro for 1040 € Amazon Italy, 😍
For me the 12-40 is still the better lense. I love the focus clutch mechanism. And I need from time to time f2.8.... The difference in quality is so minimal and the times where I compare pixels are far behind me. Be fair: If you have a nice composed picture, who zoom in to pixel level??? And if you have a good and sharp 12-40 who guaranty that you also get a 12-45 that is perfect? As Robin already mentioned: There are tolerances.... And Robin: I love your videos. Please continue!!! Thank you 🙏
Thank you. This comparison is just what I need - my next lens will be one of these. It is good to see they are both of equal quality so I may opt for the one that is physically smaller. Most of my shooting in landscape/seascape so I do not really need the one extra f-stop of speed in the 12-40 2.8.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for your comparison, very helpful.
Being the owner of a 12-40 mm 2.8 Pro, I think that the F Stop and L-Fn are a great advantage over the newer lens, but one thing I would not give up is the manual focusing clutch. It has proven to make a huge difference in some situations, and some much fun particularly in close up photography.
Robin is definitely the best
So according to ths review I would recommend 12-45 F4.0 to people with M10 and PEN bodies, because 12-40 F2,8 is really large for such body for handheld photography. Also it will still fit to photographers who prefer smaller (or non-pro) lenses, while having best from both worlds: World of large all-purpose zoom lens, and world of portable pancake 14-40 EZ.
For M1, M1X or M5 with grip is 12-40 F2,8 good option. M5 wihout grip can work fine with both depending how well it fits in hand.
There might be a reason to compare it with the smallest zoom Olympus has - 14-40 EZ, which is as by now my backup zoom (probably to be replaced soon by 12-400 F4).
I had the 12-40 pro on my EPM1 for the longest time, which made it pocketable. It looked like a bazooka with a credit card stuck on the back. It worked really well.
I know professionals who use the 12-45. It's a simple, no-frills lens and very effective. I own it and I always have in my bag a 17mm 1.8 or a 25mm 1.8, unbeatable lenses. 12-45 fits all Olympus bodies
I know professionals who use the 12-45. It's a simple, no-frills lens and very effective. I own it and I always have in my bag a 17mm 1.8 or a 25mm 1.8, unbeatable lenses. 12-45 fits all Olympus bodies
Hi! Thanks for the review. An observation: personally, I would have found also useful to know the sharpness difference between those two lenses at their maximum aperture so F4 and F2.8...
I have the 12-40 Pro. See no need to buy the new lens, not big enough differences. Thanks for the review. 👍😆
Agreed.
I'm gonna go for the 12-45, since I don't have 12-40 :)
6:44 Those two lenses render images in different languages!🤣😅😂👍
Thanks Robin. Will keep my 12-40 for now (even though I have a pen f). Great technical content as usual but I'd also like to say thanks for 1) your photo compositions which I always learn from and 2) the frequent sounds of birdsong in your video backgrounds!
Great comparison of two really nice lenses. Thanks for doing this video. I don't have either yet (or the 12-100mm and 12-200mm) which I also continue to ponder. I really like the attention Olympus has paid to nice out of focus background rendering. And to do so with such nice detail and sharpness as well is quite a feat. Kudos to Olympus. I am very happy with the continuing stream of lens options we have in m43.
The same sharpness for the two lens, in the most samples, seems that the f4 is a bit better contrast, very slight, i don´t have the f2.8, but i will buy the new f4 MAINLY for the size, GREAT micro four thirds!!!
I think this video highlights just how great the 12-40 f2.8 really is. Compared to similar field of view apsc lenses the 12-40 is way smaller and lighter. Also going to 80mm equivalent is a really nice touch. This lens and a omd em1 mk ii is a great set up for travel if you want something lightweight, weather proof and reasonably fast and very sharp. It was one of the lenses that got me to buy into M4/3.
Twins
If I wanted a slightly smaller normal zoom, the 12-45mm pro would be nice. I love the manual focus clutch though and availability of the 2.8 aperture, so my 12-40mm pro will do me for most use cases.
On the other hand, if Olympus makes a new Pen F...
Thanks Robin. All question answered. I have to say... those close up photos make me really want to try those dishes. Love your cuisine.
oh my goodness..the newer lens is so compact!! i'm in love -3-
Like your work Robin. I bought a second EM-5 Mk II, I love that camera! I also bought a second hand, hardly used 12 - 40 mm Pro. I was loving the results I was getting with my 14 - 150 mm kit lens and then I tried the 12 - 40 mm,. OMG, it's so sharp! Am I happy I went OM-D? You bet!
For me very little in it Robin but the 12-40 edges it in all cases (not sure if its sharpness or contrast). However my pick for the extra versatility would be the Pana Leica 12-60 f2.8-4 in any case, and I'm an Olympus fan with an EM5 i & ii and 4 Olympus lens (9-18, 17, 25 & 45)
Always love your video. I love your music even more...always upbeat and full of energy and positivity.
Love your vids. New subscriber. Thanks for featuring Olympus products. Just upgraded from an e-m1 to and e-m1 mkiii. Also ordered the 12-100mm f/4 Pro. Amazing products. I hope JIP doesn’t let us down.
10:16 I can't see the onion ring effect at all here except in that very close view. My old Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 has mega onion rings, which surprised me.
My new but freshly discontined 12-40 f/2.8 Pro should be arriving here in the next 12 hours. I hope it has no fault like the used EM-1 that I just bought from MPB that is getting sent back that pretty obviously wasn't inspected properly before being described and sent out.
You're awesome.
I agree with you generally, based on your images comparisons. I saw some minor contrast (?) differences, but if this lens had existed when I bought my Pen-F, I would have snapped it up! However, I'll keep my 12~40Pro f/2.8 and celebrate accordingly.
This is very interesting, especially the difference in flare.
11:37 EM10 or EM5 with the 12-45 would be super compact! It's OK with the 12-40mm f/2.8 though but with the12-45mm it's a bit more like the small prime lenses.
Really appreciate this particular video. I guess I'm not seeing what the rest are. I do see some differences in shadowed areas and some other areas. But, the avg viewer will not see it per se! Thanks again, Robin!
7:55 You're making me hungry now!🤣
I love my 12-40 2.8 i cant imagine a better lense
Thanks Robin, from Brussels ! - Luc / horizon 14 - 18 point eu
I would say the difference in these lenses are within the scope of sample variation.
Nice job. I wish all the youtubers would start asking/demanding camera companies to add a blending option to their mirrorless or live view cameras to make it easy to take the same photo with different lenses/setting/isos/speeds/times of day. Just give us an option to load/play a photo, set opacity and then all these comparisons become really easy and accurate. It would also make taking extreme time lapses much easier. This function has been in stop motion tools for years, time to put it directly in the cameras.
Thank you Robin for another informative and inspirational video. You always inspire me to go and take more photographs :)
Thank you so much for your excellent comparison! Both are beautiful lenses.
10:24 Magnifying the video as you can on UA-cam now there are a few yellow onion rings at upper left and a couple of slighly edged bokeh balls at middle right but those all look cute. It's very nice anyway and only on the really faint lights.
The 12-40 2.8 is undoubtedly a better lens for its aperture and the additional functions (L-Fn, MF clutch, parfocal), very well designed for the em1 series but I find it quite heavy and not very ergonomic for my em5 markIII ... Is the f4 aperture very limited compared to the 12-40 because it is said that the brightness has improved on the 12-45?
Excellent practical comparison Robin thx
Nice. Thanks robin
No worries, cheers
Very interesting review. I have just ordered the 12-45mm f4 pro. I already own the 12-40 f2.8 pro. I wanted another similar zoom lens because I have more than one camera body and use them remotely. Looking at the Lenstip review of both lens, the 12-45 f4 lens does better at high f stops. I want to use it at f/8 and f/11. It seems the f/4 lens is more optimized for these smaller apertures. Of course, there is sample variation, so the new 12-45 f4 may not be any better than the 12-40 f2.8 I already have, but then...it's also cheaper. When I get the lens, I'll be sure to test it at f/8 and f/11 in comparison to my 12-40mm f2.8 lens. And, for fun, I'll include my 12-50mm and 14-42mm lenses. Yes, I have them all. I have several cameras...and put them all out remotely (during the day) for about 6-8 weeks during the summer.
Whoops. Forgot to come back and let you know what happened with my testing of the new 12-45mm f/4 pro in comparison to my old 12-40mm pro. I used MTF mapper to do a more rigorous test. Used the same camera, an EM1ii. Here are the results. The 12-45mm f/4 pro was slightly better everywhere. Tested at 12mm, 25mm, and 40mm. Tested at f4, 5.6, 8, 11 at each focal length. MTF mapper produces lines that show the center out to the edges. The 12-45mm f/4 was slightly better everywhere. In addition, when the line pairs separate, it's a sign of astigmatism. There was some line pair separation with the 12-40mm pro lens...but it really wasn't bad at all. For the 12-45mm pro, the line pairs were stuck together like they had been glued to each other.
So, this is my results for one lens of each type...and yes, sample variation means your results won't necessarily match mine. And I also agree that in normal viewing of typical pictures taken, noticing a difference between these lenses is probably impossible. I have to say I am happy with my new lens, the 12-45mm, and look forward to using it more extensively when I start doing remote work with my cameras.
Comparing these two to other lenses...I did run a test at 40mm focal length. Here's how they ranked from first to worst: 12-45mm pro, 12-40mm pro, 40-150mm f/2.8 pro; 12-50mm, and last was a 40-150mm f3.5-5.6. Forgot to test the 14-42mm lens.
Interesting.thanks for your feedback
You are a mighty man Robin.
Thanks Robin
Very helpful
I like the way you presenting your video s
Not too technical!
All the best Geus from Holland
Another great video. I would be happy with either lens but would probably go for the 12-45 because of the size and weight. However I would really miss the focus clutch and function button of the other pro lenses.
may you forget one particular test from both lenses, that is the 12-40mm on F4 test compare with 12-24mm F4 aperture
To equate one of the disadvantages compared to full frame i.e. High ISO image quality, it is imperative to get as much light as possible to every exposure so in my humble opinion aperture is what is most important in every lens for m4/3. Image quality at ISO 3200 is definitely better than 6400 .
The manual focus clutch on the 12-40 is very useful for me as a video shooter.
Thanks for sharing it Robin!
1 stop of light ... very important
Very helpful! Thanks Robin!
Great comparison and now have to figure out if I want a faster lens (2.8) vs a sharper, smaller and lighter lens.
thank you Robin, honest review!
Thanks, Robin! Very informative.
Thanks. I'm feeling really good about plunking down an extra $400 USD with the EM5 III I just ordered for this lens. Looking forward to seeing what it does compared to my non-pro lenses. (Tamron 14-150, Olympus 17mm f1.8 & Laowa 7.5mm f2)
distortion, chromatic aberrations and vignette are corrected by camera only for jpg? what about RAW+ lightroom?
Thanks very much for a most useful video
Nice video, really straighforward - thanks for making and posting! Overall I do think the '45' looks better than the '40'. However, I find the (manual) focus clutch on the '40' so very helpful that I think it's more than worth the minor difference in IQ.
For those missing the manual clutch, I repurposed one of the function buttons on my Pen F to switch between manual and auto focus.
Thank you!
Nice video , thanks a lot Robin
Robin, Thanks for a great video. What would you say about a comparison between the 12-45 and the 14-150 lenses?
Thank you for doing this comparison Robin 👍 I always thought the 12-40 was slightly on the bulky side for MFT, so if I had the chance to buy again I would definitely consider the 12-45. There did look to be a bit more vignetting on the 12-45, any comments on that?
Maybe my eyes are off, the 12-45 seemed better even in those cases you mentioned the 12-40 is better.
But I agree that the differences might not be worth having both. In my case since I only have the 12-100 Pro I definitely interested in this 12-45.
Nice review.
Can you compair it to the 12-60 f2.8 FT lens. I think that is sharper.
How does it compare with the PL 12-60?
For me, that extra stop is everything, especially when it comes to low light and MFT sensors. Will happily stick with my 12-40 2.8. And I find the clutch manual focus indispensable, especially for video.
Yeah, very weird that a new "Pro" lens would lack a focus clutch & have a slower aperture.
Evil Genius Entertainment "pro" glass has nothing to do with how fast it is, it's the quality of the optics, ie sharpness, flaring, colour rendering, chromatic aberration etc.
12-40 is a good lens so you don't really need the 12-45. If you own the 12-40. I would get just because it's smaller and I don't do a lot of night shooting.
Sure it does. Fast apertures, like the other factors you list, is a quality you'd want in something labeled "pro", just as is a constant aperture through the zoom range, particularly in the MFT format. To be sure it's not the only quality, but it certainly is one of the more important ones. But it's the lack of a focus clutch in particular that makes the labeling of "pro" a bit silly considering that even non "pro" lenses in their line-up have this feature. This new lens is somewhere in between their kit lens and the 12-40mm (and indeed will almost certainly be offered as a kit lens in the future). Which is fine, but yeah I think the pricing is way off on this product.
@@evilgeniusentertainment I disagree, you can fast aperture lenses, that you would never want to use at maximum opening because the image quality is so poor. I think a pro grade lens, should be sharp at its widest, regardless of how fast it is and also perform well in the other metrics I listed.
I guess the speed of the glass is one part of it, but being an f4 lens doesn't suddenly disqualify it from being a pro grade lens. So actually I guess i do agree with you somewhat.
If you can't use a lens at it's widest aperture, why buy the lens? The lenses that people rave about, everything from the SIgma 16mm f1.4 to the Panny 10-25 f1.7 are fantastic wide open. I do agree with you that a slower aperture - say F4 - doesn't automatically mean it's not pro. In fact, I think weather sealing a far more important quality. I can handle the slower ap, but there's simply no reason for this lens not to have a focus-clutch at this price. Now if this lens were retailing for say $300, then I think people would be more forgiving. But for $650 plus tax, there's no compelling reason to buy this lens, especially for owners of the Oly 12-40 or the Panny 12-35, which can be picked up all day long for $500 lightly used.
Thanks, great review.
My 12-100 pro lens rattles too. I never noticed it until you pointed out that the 8-25 rattles. I wonder if all the pro zooms rattle?
Hi Robin, great video!
Shall I pair 12-40 with EM1MkIII or OM5?
I’m kinda undecided. Thanks
Great review ! Thanks
The 12-45 would make some sense if it were quite a bit cheaper but it is nearly 3/4 of the price of the 12-40. For that minor saving you lose a stop, manual focus clutch, and function button. I don’t see the size difference as that significant. Optical Limits website suggests the 12-45 is optically weaker but not by much.
Yeah I wasn't thrilled about the price. Maybe in a few years? The 12-40 has been around for quite a while now in comparison.
Oh, I'm sorry if it matters but my camera is OMD EM1.
I didn't have this problem when I bought the whole thing in 2014, but I have this problem for a few years now, but it's just so strange that I don't know how to make sense of it, how can it be ok for zooming a little with the same lense but not working when zooming out more ?!?
9:48 In the flare pictures was the 12-40mm f/2.8 shot done at f/2.8 or f/4? Since the 12-45mm is f/4 wide open.
Robin Great Job.
Is it also possible that the newer renditions of the 12-40 2.8 lens are improved compared to your lens with continuous advancements in technology applied over the years. Olympus states that the current 2.8 has Zero Coating, which would increase contrast, for example. Tolerances can be tightened with time also.
This is not a serious comparison. Shooting a manufacturer’s supplied sample is fraught with potential problems. I would like to see how a randomly selected sample fared. Selected vs random is quite different to random vs random, and may easily explain away any differences noted..
Very helpful, thank you Robin. Please may I ask; does F2.8 vs F4 make much difference when shooting landscape in good light?
Arrgggh! I want BOTH! But I can live with my 12-40 f/2.8
Hey the 12-40mm is a mighty fine lens!
@@robinwong Yes it is! That's why I can live with it! But I still lust after the 12-45! I want it ALL!!!!
Thanks for this!
I love having a zoom for when I'm out in nature hiking or backpacking. I hang my camera from a Peak Design camera clip on my backpack straps and the setup is great. My favorite camera for this is my E-pl8 with the 14-42 kit lens, which only weighs 493 grams! Too bad they're not weather sealed. I stopped using that and for this season got an EM5 III with the 12-45 f4 zoom. It is awesome and weighs 668 grams. But if I was using a camera for work, there's no question it would have to be the EM1 II with the faster f2.8 12-40 at a weight of 956 grams.
of course 12-40 f.2.8 pro great leans very sharp and fast..!
Thanks Robin. I agree with most of what you share. However, to my eye the 12-40 is the sharper lens at macro than the 12-45. I use the 12-40 as my go to lens. Never disappointed with its performance. Weight is not an issue.
What is the best choise? I’m using Panasonic G9 and I’m confused about next lenses: Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 or Olympus 12-40mm f2.8? Which one is better for stills and video?
It's great to seeing this for doing my research but...
How about make the f2.8 to f4 to test? Maybe even sharper
Hi Great video. I’m thinking of getting the omd mk1 mark III. and most camera retailers are doing a deal with the camera and the 12-40 f2.8 lens included for £1999.
I’ve never owned a DSLR Before so don’t have any compatible lenses for this camera. so thought I would go for this current deal. But did you say this lens has macro capability? because I’m looking to buy the 60 mm f2.8 macro because macro is ultimately my passion but also landscape and general photography. so obviously I need a standard lens aswell is the 12-40mm a good choice in your opinion then?
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 at $499 may be a value -- have yet to dive deep into reviews, but from what I have seen so far, looks decent. As for this new one, it may be fine, but looks overpriced IMHO. My Panasonic 12-32mm is pretty darn sharp, and my Olympus 14-42mm sharp in the middle, so personally may be covered. These 12-45mm are Pro series, so yes I understand a specific need, but then again shouldn't Pro be fast? This new lens is slow and thus more like my kit lens, so I am thinking this lens needs to shave some couple hundred off the sticker. Thanks for review, Loren
It will drop in price, it's also cheaper then what the 12-40 was first launched I think (at least where I live). I don't think pro means fast, your paying for the build and optical quality, pretty sure the 12-45 will blow away any kit lens. If you need speed, there are plenty of options.
If your happy with your 12-32 Panasonic idk why you would be even considering this lens, sure it has more reach but at the end of the day, just use the stuff your happy with.
The 14-150mm f/4-5.6 ii is outstanding and my favorite one. I also have the 12-40, the 12-100 and the 40-150. Great value!!!
12-100 and 300 are both Pro and f4.
Try shooting indoors without flash and straight away you will know which is a better lens!
Hi Robin have you done the new software update of the EM r III before taking the pictures?
Thanks for the review.
I would like to make a payment for the information and your test over the number of years. How can I do this. This payment may not be a one off payment
Regards
Jack
If no big gag between two ones, I prefer to buy smaller one, always suffering to bring big stuff daily
Then which one should be chosen?
Robin, 're this new smaller lens line-up, do you know or can you imagine what focal range the ultra wide may be? 9-18mm would be my guess! This being the lens I am most interested in.
Michael Gent, about a month ago Olympus applied for a patent for a 8-24. Guessing it'll be their f/4 pro wide angle.
Why would anyone want to buy the 12-45 f4? Is it cheaper?
#robin please take video with 12-45mm and use the zoom on video to our see how the rolling from 12mn to 25mm or 45mm.
Thanks. 11:56
Like New. You can get the 12-40 2.8 for 450-500 :) if go for that instead. 🙂
I just bought one brand new for 700 cad on eBay
Imho, this or the 12-100 is the must have lens for Oly cameras.
Thank you Robin, a very good video as always. But I would also like to see a comparison with the kit lens - my point being that as someone who usually uses the 1.8 primes I do like to have a zoom for certain occasions, and the new 12-45 seems a great option on price/size (and also that useful wider 12mm) for someone using an EM5ii and Pen F, but is it a distinct upgrade from the 14-42ez?
Nick Leon, I can tell you that it’s a definite upgrade in IQ from the 14-42 ii r, which is the only kit lens I own. Much sharper, faster focus, better corners, better contrast. Viewed or printed small you might not notice though.
@@joeltunnah Thanks Joel - that is well worth knowing.