Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ vs OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO

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

• You want the lighter lens to carry: 864 g lighter (211 g vs 1075 g)
• You want a wider view: 12mm vs 50mm at the wide end
• You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.2 m vs 0.78 m
• You want bigger close-ups: 0.36× vs 0.25× maximum magnification
• You want a compact lens: 83 mm vs 225.8 mm long
• Our notes say it suits: Travel and outdoor use, video with electronic zoom, casual close-ups

Pick the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO if

• You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
• You need more reach: 200mm vs 50mm at the long end
• You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 EZ does not

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.

Pros

• Dust and splash resistant
• Electronic zoom lever
• Macro mode
• Light at 211 g

Cons

• Slow aperture
• Image quality below Pro lenses
• Electronic zoom speed is coarse

Our notes

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO