Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ vs Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.

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

Olympus

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ

f/3.5211 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 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ if

You want the lighter lens to carry: 104 g lighter (211 g vs 315 g)
You need more reach: 50mm 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: 0.36× vs 0.12× maximum magnification
Our notes say it suits: Travel and outdoor use, video with electronic zoom, casual close-ups

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

You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
You want a wider view: 8mm vs 12mm at the wide end

Spec differences

12 differences

Specifications that differ between the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.
	Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ	Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 8-18mm F2.8-4 Asph.
Brand	Olympus	Panasonic
Type	Zoom	Wide Zoom
Focal length	12-50mm	8-18mm
Max aperture	f/3.5	f/2.8 ⅔ stop faster
Weight	211 g lighter	315 g
Length	83 mm shorter	88 mm
Diameter	57 mm slimmer	73.4 mm
Filter thread	52 mm	67 mm
Min focus distance	0.2 m closer	0.23 m
Max magnification	0.36× larger	0.12×
Optical design	10 elements / 9 groups	15 elements / 10 groups
Released	not listed	2017

3 identical specs hidden: mount, image stabilization, weather sealing. Show all

Mount: Micro Four Thirds both
Image stabilization: No both
Weather sealing: Yes both

Our notes

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ

A weather-resistant power-zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds with a macro mode. It weighs about 211 g, takes 52mm filters and covers 24-100mm in full-frame terms.