Panasonic 12-32mm vs Small Primes

How does Panasonic 12-32mm lens compare to primes in 14-17mm range in terms of sharpness?

I have read a lot of quite negative reviews about Panasonic 14mm and Olympus 17mm (Panasonic 15mm seems to be better). I myself have Olympus 17mm and not happy with resolution, especially in the corners (maybe I have a bad copy?)

Since I shoot mainly street photography I value small and light lens. I use f/4 frequently so don’t need bright lens either (and can keep my 17mm for night shooting).

pixelTwister wrote:

How does Panasonic 12-32mm lens compare to primes in 14-17mm range in terms of sharpness?

I have read a lot of quite negative reviews about Panasonic 14mm and Olympus 17mm (Panasonic 15mm seems to be better). I myself have Olympus 17mm and not happy with resolution, especially in the corners (maybe I have a bad copy?)

Since I shoot mainly street photography I value small and light lens. I use f/4 frequently so don’t need bright lens either (and can keep my 17mm for night shooting).

F4 is the sweet spot of the 12-32mm, it's very sharp at that aperture and it's very sharp at the wide end. Personally I wouldn't worry about any difference between this lens and any of the primes unless you're a died in the wool pixel peeper, the 12-32mm is more than good enough IMHO.

pixelTwister wrote:

How does Panasonic 12-32mm lens compare to primes in 14-17mm range in terms of sharpness?

I should have added that AF speed is also very important for me.

pixelTwister wrote:

pixelTwister wrote:

How does Panasonic 12-32mm lens compare to primes in 14-17mm range in terms of sharpness?

I should have added that AF speed is also very important for me.

No problems there either, it's a snappy focuser.

Assuming your talking about the 17mm 2.8, I had that lens and mine we quite poor in edges and corner.  I've seen better sample shots on the web though.  Regardless, the 12-32mm is actually superb as a zoom, and better than the 17mm.  It's not as good as the 15mm for sure, but suspect it's close enough to the 14mm 2.5 to not justify that lens (except for the even smaller size and faster speed).

Question: From your gear list, you already own an Olympus EM-1 with the Oly 12-40 which is supposedly even better (and even pricier) than the Pana 12-35 and is a perfect match for the EM-1. So, why are you asking about the 12-35?

WhiteBeard wrote:

Question: From your gear list, you already own an Olympus EM-1 with the Oly 12-40 which is supposedly even better (and even pricier) than the Pana 12-35 and is a perfect match for the EM-1. So, why are you asking about the 12-35?

I suspect because he wants it for street shooting and the 12-32mm is tiny in comparison to the 12-40mm and a lot less "in your face".

I stand corrected... Still, the weight issue aside, which is a real one, 70 gr vs 382 is a mighty difference, I'm not so sure about the "in-your-face" aspect since from straight on (from the target's point of view) there's not that much of a difference.

WhiteBeard wrote:

I stand corrected... Still, the weight issue aside, which is a real one, 70 gr vs 382 is a mighty difference, I'm not so sure about the "in-your-face" aspect since from straight on (from the target's point of view) there's not that much of a difference.

It depends on the camera you're using, the GM1 and 12-32mm is very different compared to the EM1 and 12-40mm for street shooting. The bigger the rig the more attention you attract in my experience.

I use one for street. Great little thing.

WhiteBeard wrote:

I stand corrected... Still, the weight issue aside, which is a real one, 70 gr vs 382 is a mighty difference, I'm not so sure about the "in-your-face" aspect since from straight on (from the target's point of view) there's not that much of a difference.

Actually I do feel that 12-32mm would get less in people's face than my 12-40mm, but it may easily be just my imagination.

Another consideration is weight. 12-40mm isn't terribly heavy, but 12-32mm would make my kit one third lighter - something I would certainly appreciate when shooting whole day.

And no matter how nice 12-40mm is, it may get replaced by 7-14mm. When I use it, I mostly set it somewhere between 12 to 14mm or at 40mm. I have already covered the long end with a 42.5mm prime and quite often find myself needing to go wider than 12mm.

I really enjoy my 12-32 and have been surprised with its sharpness. I favor it on my EP5 when I want the most compact package to carry and expect the light to be good.

Its light weight and pancake configuration are great but keep in mind that it does extend when in the shooting mode and consequently is not quite as inconspicuous as a pancake prime.

Lee

It depends on the camera you're using, the GM1 and 12-32mm is very different compared to the EM1 and 12-40mm for street shooting. The bigger the rig the more attention you attract in my experience.

I decided for relatively heavy and big EM1 because I like it's grip and viewfinder a lot. I tried GM1 - it's a really nice and cute camera, but didn't feel comfortable to hold.

pixelTwister wrote:

It depends on the camera you're using, the GM1 and 12-32mm is very different compared to the EM1 and 12-40mm for street shooting. The bigger the rig the more attention you attract in my experience.

I decided for relatively heavy and big EM1 because I like it's grip and viewfinder a lot. I tried GM1 - it's a really nice and cute camera, but didn't feel comfortable to hold.

I have both, they make a great pairing, one for using zooms and bigger lenses and the GM1 for the 12-32mm and small primes.

Hello.  I use the 12-32 on my GM5 (and GX7) and find it to be sharp and pleasant to use.  It is very light and I have added the auto lens cap so I do not have to worry about losing a 37mm cap.  It will make a grate street lens.

pixelTwister wrote:

Actually I do feel that 12-32mm would get less in people's face than my 12-40mm, but it may easily be just my imagination.

Another consideration is weight. 12-40mm isn't terribly heavy, but 12-32mm would make my kit one third lighter - something I would certainly appreciate when shooting whole day.

I am going through the same quandary. I have the 12-40, and even though it's a gorgeous lens, it does get heavy by the end of the day.  And I agree that the 12-32 would be a lot less "in-your-face" than the 12-40.   At the moment, my 17mm f1.8 is my preferred lens for street shooting, but sometimes a small zoom would be convenient.

Does anyone have any experience getting the Panny 12-32 from (the mostly Asian sources on) Ebay? How can they sell them for almost half the price of local sources? Are they grey market versions? It's a lot cheaper on Ebay than on B&H.

kaphinga wrote:

pixelTwister wrote:

Actually I do feel that 12-32mm would get less in people's face than my 12-40mm, but it may easily be just my imagination.

Another consideration is weight. 12-40mm isn't terribly heavy, but 12-32mm would make my kit one third lighter - something I would certainly appreciate when shooting whole day.

I am going through the same quandary. I have the 12-40, and even though it's a gorgeous lens, it does get heavy by the end of the day. And I agree that the 12-32 would be a lot less "in-your-face" than the 12-40. At the moment, my 17mm f1.8 is my preferred lens for street shooting, but sometimes a small zoom would be convenient.

Does anyone have any experience getting the Panny 12-32 from (the mostly Asian sources on) Ebay? How can they sell them for almost half the price of local sources? Are they grey market versions? It's a lot cheaper on Ebay than on B&H.

Panasonic 12-32 is an amazing lens.  Just get it.  Its tiny, its sharp, it focuses quickly.  Its smaller than the Olympus 17mm 1.8.  I also have the Olympus 12-40 but honestly the 12-32 gets more use.  The only downside is build quality.  The lettering rubs off easily and you have to be careful when he barrel is extended.  Also I would say the lens lacks micro contrast.   But you are talking about a pancake 24-70 zoom that produces great results.  Its a game changer and at sub $200 a must have.  Asian retailers split the GM1/5 kits and resell the parts at a small profit.  GM series is cheaper there.  Only downside is there is practically no warranty.

To the OP. The 12-32 lives on my EM1 most of the time. It is sharp, fast focusing, and tiny. I retired my 14-54 due to size and image quality. 12 beats 14 any day.