Olympus 12-45mm F4.0 vs 12-40mm F2.8 PRO vs. 12-100mm F4 IS PRO

Today, I'd like to compare three similar Olympus lenses and help you decide which of the three is the best one for your type of photography.

You can order the lenses here:

This video was filmed on the Olympus E-M1X with the 12mm f/2.0 lens.

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[gregfeeler]

Very good comparison review which I just found. I've had the 12-40mm f2.8 PRO for a number of years, and also got the 40-150mm f4.0 PRO at the same time as my OM-1 thinking those two lenses would make a great set for travel, which they do. The 40-150 is amazingly sharp and collapses down to about the size of the 12-45. But, since buying a used 12-100 at an excellent price earlier this year I hardly use either of the other two lenses. I went to a week long motorcycle rally this past summer and took several lenses and two bodies, but ended up using my OM-1 with the 12-100 carried in a compact holster bag. I think that combo is a great example of the "compactness" of the MFT format - not because either the body or lens are individually super small, but because of how small they are together when compared to what you would have to carry to duplicate that system's capabilities in an ASP or FF format.

[jpsteiner]

Thanks for the video. Nice comparison. I have the 12-45mm f/4. Terrific for photo walks, weekend hikes, etc. Used with the OM-5, it works well in early morning, early evening / sunsets. For lower light, I use the 20mm f/1.4. Both lenses are great. They're small and I don't need to worry about the rain, snow, etc.

[JourneywithBrandon]

Since I bought the 12-100 f/4 and took it to Switzerland, I haven't even mounted my 12-40mm f/2.8. It's THE lens to get when traveling light is important, without sacrificing optical range.

[RachelAllcock]

Excellent video, honestly partisan without being biased or knocking the other options. I wish more people in photography viewed things more as "Which trade-off is best for what you want to do?" rather than "Which of these is better?" battles. (Not that everybody who does "battles" isn't actually giving the pros and cons fairly, but I'm not sure it's a sensible mindset.)

I actually bought a 12-40mm f/2.8 this week in part because their (excellent condition) used price is down to £430 which is crazy for a lens of this quality. I had a 14-150mm as my kit lens, and I won't lie that the 12-100mm f/4 wasn't tempting to get that versatility in a better lens. And I own a 17mm f/1.8 which gives me a great low-light and background separation option. But I think the 12-100 is a bit big for my E-M5 iii, and my priority is getting a bit more flexibility in getting background separated and low-light shots in that zoom range.

[san-chil]

While the 12-100 mm does look very tempting, I do believe that for majority of non-professional kind of travellers, trekkers and hikers the 12-45 f4 pro makes a lot more sense. The 12-45, 40-150 pro or R and maybe the 75-300mm will cover you very well. The 12-100mm may become bit of a burden or annoying after a while and also I suspect that 12-45 may have better optics on account of being a bit more simple. And then you have the 12-200mm lurking around the corner as well, so it's nice to have so many choices for micro four thirds. BUT if you do get the 12-100mm then with just an additional 75-300mm you are really well covered for a nice trip. Well ....😏 I think I still like the 12-45 better .... Just my opinion though ....

Edit:
Some more thoughts on this since I had been trying to make my mind and decide on an ideal lens for myself and my camera for a while now ...

This is not really about the lens since each of these lenses seem to be very capable. It is really about you as a photographer that is a more important differentiator here which may help in deciding which lens to choose and which lens would help you best.

My thumb rule in helping you know yourself as a photographer is look at your own camera bodies preferences. If you are invested in small camera bodies then you like portability and you like to keep your gear small and light and so a 12-45 f4 pro should automatically be your first and probably your only choice. And if you have larger camera bodies then you like a type of photography for which the 12-100mm is a very practical choice as it gives a good useful reach. Small bodies such as olympus pen are still very capable cameras with the smaller prime lenses without sacrificing much. I think I will go with 12-45 f4 pro as it fits my style of photography. The 12-100mm is a bit larger than a 17mm f1.2 pro which has a fair size and weight. I hope that was useful ... :)

[artl]

I have the 45-150 on my m3iii and love it. A comparison of the 12-100 and 45-150 would be interesting. Also being able to use the 1.4x or 2x tele with the 45-150 is a huge plus!

[mattchew]

The one thing a lot of youtubers don't mention about the 12-40 f2.8 is that it is the only zoom that works with the macro flash system by Olympus. The 12-40 is not a true macro lens, but it is a useful differentiation for those that are interested in microscapes.

Personally, I got the 12-100 f4 in combo with my em1 mark iii as my first camera/lens. It was actually the combination of videos by you and Derek Forss that helped me finalize on the Olympus ecosystem over all... Thank you for that.

[huwalban]

I am with you Chris. My 12-100 is my go to lens especially for my landscaping and bearly leqaves my E-M1ii :) Stay safe

[volkerwehres]

I can only agree, I have the 12-100 since a year and I need almost no other glas anymore on my em1m2. I use my very old 50-200 ft-lense with an adapter for wildlife and zoo‘s once in a while, but the 12-100 ist just great. Good video. Best regards from Germany

[NatPhoto]

Thanks Chris for an honest review. I'm a 12-40 kinda guy. I use and need the f/2.8 aperture, but fully get the other 2 lenses. Nice review.

[framue]

Thx for the comparison. I came to the same conclusions you did, 12-100 for outdoors (especially hiking in the mountains) and 12-40 for events with people (especially indoors). And I agree that all Olympus lenses (with very few exception) are optical superb. That being said it would interested in two image quality aspects of the 12-45: perceivable corner sharpness difference at 12mm at f5.6ish and vignetting at 12mm (the only “weak” point of the 12-100 if you shoot single shots of high dynamic range scenes and you want/need to lift shadows I feel that there is a visible increase in noise in the corners from remove vignetting plus lifting shadows even at ISO200). I ask this in this the context of printing larger (A2ish) not looking at the image at 400% in Lr. Any opinions? Thx, Frank

[sulasulacom]

Great video, Chris. I did the same choice. Started with 12-40, having 12-100 now. 😉

[bobneedham]

I found this video very helpful in comparing sizes and weights. I owned the 12-40 f/2.8. It is an amazing lens, but I like really light weight gear. The 12-40 on my EM5, was out of balance and I couldn’t really carry it on my shoulder comfortably so it ended up in my backpack. Based on what I saw and the opinions stated, I bought the 12-45 f/4. It’s the lens I’ve been looking for.

[abnerlu]

finally I am convinced. Thanks. Got both 12-100 & 17f1.2👍.

[YoSpiff]

I got the 12-45 as the kit lens with my EM5 Mk3 and liked it enough that I bought the 12-100 to get more range for a single lens travel kit. It was pricey, even used, but it was a good purchase.

[davidcooper]

I would say that if you already own the 17mm (1.8 or 1.2) or the 25mm lens and you want a short zoom then go for the 12-45mm. It is cheaper than and just as good as the 12-40 to a point but if you need to shoot in low light then carry the 17mm or 25mm in your pocket....either of those tiny lenses weigh next to nothing.

[originaljamtracks]

Excellent video, very well explained and I agree with your logic - the 12-100 is the one!

[yassassinfo]

Small is beautiful. 12-45 F4.0 is the best zoom lens in all the mounts.

[fellowcitizen]

The 12-100 is the most appealing - especially with SyncIS. The 12-45 is only convincing if it is significantly cheaper than the 12-40, as there are more compact options.

[davidblack]

I just brought the 12-45/f4.0 today. It looks to be a great lens from my initial 200 plus photos I took this afternoon. I now own all three. My workhorse is the 12-40/f2.8 because it pairs up so well to the 40-150/f2.8. The 12-100/f4.0 is my one lens wonder. The 12-45/f4.0 will be my small family outing lens. All great lenses. Great video.