Oly 12-200mm@200mm vs 40-150mm f4 cropped to 200mm equiv

ttbirds · Feb 28, 2022

I have been considering 2 options for a 12-200mm focal range outdoors:

1. Oly 12-200mm single lens ($900)

2. Oly 12-45mm f4 ($550) + new Oly 40-150 f4 ($900)

In option 1, many of the reviews show somewhat acceptable image quality @ 200mm which is expected for an all-in-one lens.

In option 2, I get a shorter focal range of 12-150mm but should get significantly better IQ up to 150mm.

I seem to recall one poster comparing the 12-100mm @ 100mm but cropped to 200mm to the 12-200mm @200mm. He indicated the cropped image from the 12-100mm was cleaner than the 200mm image from the 12-200mm. If this is true, then think for me the option 2 is better for 200mm photos than the option 1.

Would appreciate your thoughts on how an option 2 image @150mm but cropped to give an effective 200mm view would compare to the option 1 image @ native 200mm.

Hope1943 · Feb 28, 2022

I think I'd go with option 2 - solid f4 all the way. I'll probably go with the 40-150 f4 for the f4 and for the size and weight. I do have the 12-200. It's not nearly as bad as some of the reviews portray it, but it is slow - for good light only. Bought it used on one of those "pants on fire, gotta have it" days. Don't regret it, but for the reasons above, I'd get the 40-150 f4 next time. I already have the 12-45 f4. It's a good lens. Gotta wat until the price drops a bit to consider the 40-150 f4 lens.. My 2 cents worth.

Peace.

John

Skeeterbytes · Mar 1, 2022

Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom. It crops very successfully.

Both are constant-aperture. The 40-150 additionally allows use of the MCs, has snap-MF and has a tripod foot.

The 12-200 is very ambitious but not optically in the same category as the two Pro zooms. I'll also suggest the 12-100 over the 12-200 for a one-lens option.

My $0.02.

Rick

--
Equivalence and diffraction-free since 2009.
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drmarkf · Mar 1, 2022

Skeeterbytes said:
Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom. It crops very successfully.

Both are constant-aperture. The 40-150 additionally allows use of the MCs, has snap-MF and has a tripod foot.

I prefer #2 as well, but it looks like you’re talking about the f2.8 40-150, Rick.

Skeeterbytes · Mar 1, 2022

drmarkf said:
Skeeterbytes said:

Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom. It crops very successfully.

Both are constant-aperture. The 40-150 additionally allows use of the MCs, has snap-MF and has a tripod foot.

Click to expand...

I prefer #2 as well, but it looks like you’re talking about the f2.8 40-150, Rick.

Do believe I read too quicky; you're right I'm referencing the old 40-150.

Think I need to see the tech reviews with measurements before chiming in on the new lens. Will be very interesting in how it compares alongside the 12-100 where they overlap.

Cheers,

Rick

Nacha · Mar 1, 2022

im not good at changing lenses on vacation. i think i will, but i guess im just too lazy. i typically dont carry a camera bag when im walking around. my usual lens is the 12-100. currently i am using the 12-200 to see if that can be a substitute for the 12-100. the 12-100 just feels much nicer to use. the 12-200 isnt as well machined, but the photos are pretty good. in good light, i have come to conclude that the 12-200 @200 is better than a cropped 12-100.

i bought my 12-200 used . a pretty good copy, i feel. $450 usd

depending on your needs/purpose, i would go for the 12-200 or 12-100. i personally would never change a lens to get hte extra 50mm if i had the 12-100 on the camera.

Henry Richardson · Mar 2, 2022

I don't know the answer, but I like my 12-200mm. See this thread of mine about it:

12-200mm: 3 strikes and out?

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65611240

Reshot in raw today

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65611713

If you go through the thread you will see many full-size example photos with the 12-200mm:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65618439

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65620291

bunch of 12-200mm reviews

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65681777

Size comparison:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65658286

2 more full-size photos

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

ttbirds · Mar 3, 2022

Really appreciate this feedback.

I read in several posts that the 12-200mm has very good image quality from 12mm to about 50mm. If that is true and if at 200mm it is a bit better than a cropped image from the 12-100mm, then the 12-200mm may suit my needs.

The older posts of the 12-200mm are quite critical but the newer ones seem more positive so maybe Olympus tweaked something along the way.

ttbirds · Mar 3, 2022

Thanks for the info. I actually read every one of those posts and to my eye, I like the pictures you posted. There seem to be very different views on the quality of the lens and so I'm looking at many full res pics to get a better sense of the actual IQ.

ttbirds · Mar 3, 2022

Thanks. I'll probably go in this direction also,

Albert Valentino · Mar 3, 2022

I incline to option 2, better IQ and the 12-45 is small and light and nice to always have.

Option 3: if you do not truly need 150 or 200mm, consider the 12-100 Pro, especially if you are using an EM1 body. No compromises and dual stabilization. I used to own the 12-40 and 40-150 Pro lenses and sold both after getting the 12-100 Pro

Option 4: 8-25 f/4 + 40-150 f/4. 12mm FOV for m43 is very nice, but for indoor and dramatic compositions, wider is a great option. My two go to lenses are my PL 8-18 and 12•100 Pro. A wonderful combo

Henry Richardson · Mar 3, 2022

ttbirds said:
Thanks for the info. I actually read every one of those posts and to my eye, I like the pictures you posted. There seem to be very different views on the quality of the lens and so I'm looking at many full res pics to get a better sense of the actual IQ.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Harold66 · Mar 4, 2022

Skeeterbytes said:
Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom.

Not only unusual but very likely inaccurate

I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm

The 40/150 still produces very good results at 150mm BUT it is not the sharpest point of the zoom

Harold

Girish vaze · Mar 4, 2022

12-100 with 1.4x tc?

Skeeterbytes · Mar 4, 2022

Harold66 said:
Skeeterbytes said:

Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom.

Click to expand...

Not only unusual but very likely inaccurate

I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm

The 40/150 still produces very good results at 150mm BUT it is not the sharpest point of the zoom

Harold

Well, I'm right so try again.

Harold66 · Mar 4, 2022

Skeeterbytes said:
Harold66 said:

Skeeterbytes said:

Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom.

Click to expand...

Not only unusual but very likely inaccurate

I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm

The 40/150 still produces very good results at 150mm BUT it is not the sharpest point of the zoom

Harold

Click to expand...

Well, I'm right so try again.

do you want to post identical images posted at 100 and 150mm ?

or maybe read the professional tests for this lens ?

Harold

Skeeterbytes · Mar 4, 2022

Girish vaze said:
12-100 with 1.4x tc?

Not possible. The MCs only work with the 40-150, 100-400, 300 and 150-400.

Cheers,

Rick

Skeeterbytes · Mar 4, 2022

Harold66 said:
Skeeterbytes said:

Harold66 said:

Skeeterbytes said:

Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom.

Click to expand...

Not only unusual but very likely inaccurate

I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm

The 40/150 still produces very good results at 150mm BUT it is not the sharpest point of the zoom

Harold

Click to expand...

Well, I'm right so try again.

Click to expand...

do you want to post identical images posted at 100 and 150mm ?

or maybe read the professional tests for this lens ?

Harold

"I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm"

Your claim so ball's in your court, Sparky. Show us. "Serious" of course.

Just because it doesn't fit your Weltanschauung doesn't make it incorrect.

Harold66 · Mar 4, 2022

Skeeterbytes said:
Harold66 said:

Skeeterbytes said:

Harold66 said:

Skeeterbytes said:

Door #2. Each lens is clinically sharp and has very close minimum focus for near-macro performance. Importantly, the 40-150 is sharper at the long end, unusual for a zoom.

Click to expand...

Not only unusual but very likely inaccurate

I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm

The 40/150 still produces very good results at 150mm BUT it is not the sharpest point of the zoom

Harold

Click to expand...

Well, I'm right so try again.

Click to expand...

do you want to post identical images posted at 100 and 150mm ?

or maybe read the professional tests for this lens ?

Harold

Click to expand...

"I have not seen ONE single serious review which says that. Most say that the sweet spot is around 100mm"

Your claim so ball's in your court, Sparky.

Sparky ? what this is supposed to mean

Anyway , one of the site which is trust the least is on your side but ONLY for the max aperture if you look at both center and corners of the image

if you ONLY look at the center of the image lens tip says the lens is better at 150mm than 90mm at both 2.8 and f4

The imo more serious optical limits say a different story

Skeeterbytes said:
Show us. "Serious" of course.

Just because it doesn't fit your Weltanschauung doesn't make it incorrect.

again I have nothing invested in this subject . I do not own the lens because I have the PL 50-200 which is equal in optical quality and offers two advantages over the Olympus

Harold

Oly 12-200mm@200mm vs 40-150mm f4 cropped to 200mm equiv

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