Olympus 12-45mm F4 vs 12-40mm F2.8 - Which Is Sharper?

In that video I asked if you are interested in seeing a side by side extensive comparison between the new 12-45mm F4 vs the older 12-40mm F2.8 PRO, and the response was an overwhelming yes, hence I made this video. I made a bold claim in the previous video that based on my observation the 12-45mm F4 PRO was slightly sharper than 12-40mm F2.8 PRO, and I also commented that both lenses performed very close in terms of optics quality. I also made the claim without doing a comparison, which I am adding in this particular video.

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[joeltunnah]

I bought the 12-45 f/4 pro based on your review. It’s awesome. Beautiful rendering, lightning fast focus, and a perfect fit on the E-M5mk3.
Thanks Robin.

[chrisdavid]

My man, been loving your reviews - you are the best trusted sources for equally honest and exuberant input on equipment.
Never change - your attitude seems amazing!

[boatdetective]

Does anyone else come away from this thinking that Robin Wong seems like an incredibly nice guy? Thank you, sir. I travel and the size and weight savings of the 12-45 are seductive. The macro advantage is also intriguing- but if that is only at the wide end, then the huge loss of working distance mitigates this.

[mfreider]

I expected it to be sharp but looks like it is absolutely sharp wide open! Well done, Olympus! Thanks again Robin! My questions are answered ;)

[thierrygraphie]

I know professionals who use the 12-45. It's a simple, no-frills lens and very effective. I own it and I always have in my bag a 17mm 1.8 or a 25mm 1.8, unbeatable lenses. 12-45 fits all Olympus bodies

[asmrstrangerthings]

Yesterday I bought the OM-D E-M1 Mark ii with the Zuiko 12-45 Pro for 1040 € Amazon Italy, 😍

[leonfourie]

It just answered all the critics and all the people that were asking why this lens. Excelent.

[davebellamy]

6:44 Those two lenses render images in different languages!🤣😅😂👍

[damsjs]

Thank you Robin for another brilliant and informative video. So appreciate of your channel and responsiveness to us viewers' questions, recommendations, etc. Keep up the great work!

[Mir]

So according to ths review I would recommend 12-45 F4.0 to people with M10 and PEN bodies, because 12-40 F2, 8 is really large for such body for handheld photography. Also it will still fit to photographers who prefer smaller (or non-pro) lenses, while having best from both worlds: World of large all-purpose zoom lens, and world of portable pancake 14-40 EZ.

For M1, M1X or M5 with grip is 12-40 F2, 8 good option. M5 wihout grip can work fine with both depending how well it fits in hand.

There might be a reason to compare it with the smallest zoom Olympus has - 14-40 EZ, which is as by now my backup zoom (probably to be replaced soon by 12-400 F4).

[hugotorrescross]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for your comparison, very helpful.
Being the owner of a 12-40 mm 2.8 Pro, I think that the F Stop and L-Fn are a great advantage over the newer lens, but one thing I would not give up is the manual focusing clutch. It has proven to make a huge difference in some situations, and some much fun particularly in close up photography.

[davebellamy]

10:16 I can't see the onion ring effect at all here except in that very close view. My old Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 has mega onion rings, which surprised me.

[alex.germany]

For me the 12-40 is still the better lense. I love the focus clutch mechanism. And I need from time to time f2.8.... The difference in quality is so minimal and the times where I compare pixels are far behind me. Be fair: If you have a nice composed picture, who zoom in to pixel level??? And if you have a good and sharp 12-40 who guaranty that you also get a 12-45 that is perfect? As Robin already mentioned: There are tolerances.... And Robin: I love your videos. Please continue!!! Thank you 🙏

[davebellamy]

11:37 EM10 or EM5 with the 12-45 would be super compact! It's OK with the 12-40mm f/2.8 though but with the12-45mm it's a bit more like the small prime lenses.

[BillSwartwout]

Thank you. This comparison is just what I need - my next lens will be one of these. It is good to see they are both of equal quality so I may opt for the one that is physically smaller. Most of my shooting in landscape/seascape so I do not really need the one extra f-stop of speed in the 12-40 2.8.

[feth]

The same sharpness for the two lens, in the most samples, seems that the f4 is a bit better contrast, very slight, i don´t have the f2.8, but i will buy the new f4 MAINLY for the size, GREAT micro four thirds!!!

[sirfabio]

Hi! Thanks for the review. An observation: personally, I would have found also useful to know the sharpness difference between those two lenses at their maximum aperture so F4 and F2.8...

[davebellamy]

7:55 You're making me hungry now!🤣

[davebellamy]

My new but freshly discontined 12-40 f/2.8 Pro should be arriving here in the next 12 hours. I hope it has no fault like the used EM-1 that I just bought from MPB that is getting sent back that pretty obviously wasn't inspected properly before being described and sent out.

[davebellamy]

10:24 Magnifying the video as you can on YouTube now there are a few yellow onion rings at upper left and a couple of slighly edged bokeh balls at middle right but those all look cute. It's very nice anyway and only on the really faint lights.