Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro vs Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.

Both are Micro Four Thirds lenses. Here is what actually differs.

Olympus · 2013

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro

f/2.8382 g

Check price Full specs

Panasonic · 2017

Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.

f/2.8315 g

Check price Full specs

Pick the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro if

You need more reach: 40mm vs 18mm at the long end
You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.2 m vs 0.23 m
You want bigger close-ups: 0.3× vs 0.12× maximum magnification
Our notes say it suits: Travel and documentary, events and portraits, video with a single lens

Pick the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph. if

You want the lighter lens to carry: 67 g lighter (315 g vs 382 g)
You want a wider view: 8mm vs 12mm at the wide end
You prefer a newer design: released 2017 vs 2013

Spec differences

11 differences

Specifications that differ between the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.
	Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro	Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.
Brand	Olympus	Panasonic
Type	Zoom	Wide Zoom
Focal length	12-40mm	8-18mm
Weight	382 g	315 g lighter
Length	84 mm shorter	88 mm
Diameter	70 mm slimmer	73.4 mm
Filter thread	62 mm	67 mm
Min focus distance	0.2 m closer	0.23 m
Max magnification	0.3× larger	0.12×
Optical design	14 elements / 9 groups	15 elements / 10 groups
Released	2013	2017

4 identical specs hidden: mount, max aperture, image stabilization, weather sealing. Show all

Mount: Micro Four Thirds both
Max aperture: f/2.8 both
Image stabilization: No both
Weather sealing: Yes both

Our notes

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

Olympus's weather-sealed 24-80mm-equivalent standard zoom for Micro Four Thirds with a constant f/2.8 aperture. It weighs about 382 g and takes 62mm filters.