Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro vs Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F1.7 Asph.

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

• You want the lighter lens to carry: 272 g lighter (382 g vs 654 g)
• You want a wider view: 12mm vs 25mm at the wide end
• You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.2 m vs 0.28 m
• You want bigger close-ups: 0.3× vs 0.14× maximum magnification
• You want a compact lens: 84 mm vs 127.6 mm long
• Our notes say it suits: Travel and documentary, events and portraits, video with a single lens

Pick the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F1.7 Asph. if

• You need 1½ stops more light for low light or background blur (f/1.7 vs f/2.8)
• You need more reach: 50mm vs 40mm at the long end
• You prefer a newer design: released 2021 vs 2013

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.

Pros

• Constant f/2.8
• Dust, splash and freeze resistant build
• Manual-focus clutch ring
• Compact and light for an f/2.8 zoom

Cons

• No built-in stabilization (relies on the camera)
• Larger than the f/4 12-100mm alternatives

Our notes

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F1.7 Asph.