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Is Olympus 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 any good?

Started Mar 2, 2013 | Discussions thread
Wallybipster Senior Member • Posts: 1,668
Excellent versatility and good IQ, not for pixel peepers

If you want a weatherproof zoom with a good wide end, and weather-sealing, and you don't want the extra expense and/or bulk of the 12-35, than the 12-50 is your lens.

If you ask me, it's a no-brainer if you are getting it with the kit.  I take mine hiking a lot in snow and rain, and there is no replacement for it in that use.  Obviously, if you can afford a few primes and can change lenses all the time, that will give you better IQ and brighter apertures.  But they will have to pry my 12-50 from my cold dead hands!

It's plenty sharp at 12mm, and very usable at other focal lengths, though it does get a little soft at 50mm.  I'd still rather have 50mm than a kit lens with less range.  The macro mode and excellent video abilities are just gravy for me as well!

Wally

 Wallybipster's gear list:Wallybipster's gear list
Olympus E-M5 II Olympus E-M1 II Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 R Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8 +6 more
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