- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- internal focusing, HD designation (near silent during video shooting), splash proof/dust proof design
- Nano coating to suppress flare/ghosts
- power OIS optical image stabilization
- 14 elements in 9 groups, four aspherical, one high dispersion (UED), one UHR element
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 58mm filter ring
- 9" (.25m) minimum focus, 1:5.9 magnification ratio
- 2.9" (73.8mm) long, 2.7" (67.6mm) diameter
- 10.8 ounces (305g) weight
- included lens storage bag and hood
- Model Number H-HS12035
- US$1300
- Announced 5/21/2012, shipped June 2012
Thom’s Full Review of the 12-35mm
Thom's Mini-Review: This is a very sharp lens in the center, good at the edges, which gives the overall impression of high acuity, especially at f/2.8 where it is optically the best. It's better at 35mm than 12mm, though the center is still quite excellent at 12mm. The downsides are high degrees of linear distortion (without the automatic correction applied by cameras and many software packages, though this oddly still doesn't fully correct the distortion), and high vignetting and chromatic aberration at 12mm (same comment). Some people will be happy with this lens, some won't. It really boils down to whether you need f/2.8 in a 24-70mm equivalent zoom, I think. The price alone means this isn't the lens for everyone. On the plus side, this is a very well built lens, and it works very well for video (silent focus and smooth zooming). Personally, I was a bit surprised by its smallish size and weight; I was expecting a bigger lens based upon the pre-release chatter (I hadn't seen one up close during all the previews). That's not to say that it is small and light, just that it isn't huge and bulky. It's actually a very nice size on the front of the G5, GH3, or OM-D.
Note: This lens was replaced by a slightly changed II version.
Support this site by ordering your copy from the following vendor:
