Text & photos Ugo Baldassarre – Translation: Giorgio Aprile
Together with the launch of the new OM-D E-M1 Mark III, the Japanese company presented a new component of the now well-fed array of professional zooms.
We had already talked about it in the preview; now it is time to draw some conclusions in light of the performance shown.
I believe it is essential, in order to fully understand the lens in question, to catch how it fits into the Olympus line up and product philosophy.
Given its focal range, it is a lens that overlaps with other lenses already on the market for this photographic system and this detail has not spared the newcomer a little scepticism.
Below I will try to explain to you why instead this lens turns out to be really balanced and interesting for a good amount of Olympus and Micro4/3 camera owners in general.
If we step back a few years, we will discover that Olympus has always had a “predilection” for quality all-purpose zooms. The 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 Pro was made in two versions within a few years and the 12-60 f/2.8-4 Pro went to “overlap” it shortly after, and let’s not forget the remarkable 12-35 f/2 Top Pro.
The fact that Olympus is going to thin the differences of its products so deeply to adapt them to everyone’s needs should prompt us to reflect on the presumed uncertain future of the system: who would make this type of investment if they did not think long-term?
Studio portrait test. Final version of the file. The lens performed very well, returning sharpness and excellent details without ever being excessively “surgical” in terms of yield.
The new Zuiko 12-45 Pro seems to be the true quality heir of what was the first zoom to accompany the release of the OM-D E-M5, the 12-50 EZ: a compact but extremely versatile all-purpose with a high aptitude for extreme outdoor (it was in fact the first splash proof lens for OM-D). Far from being a qualitatively impressive lens, it has been for years the reference kit lens for those looking for a versatile all-purpose (starting from 12mm and having good macro capabilities).
The first thing the new-born stands out for is its very compact size. The constant aperture range of f/4 made it possible to contain both size and weight.
The second thing that immediately catches the eye is the lack of both the L-Fn button and the mechanical MAF on the barrel: the ring nut used for manual focusing is in fact only by-wire and not mechanical.
This is a choice that makes this new born in the PRO family unique, almost a new progenitor of a new professional series more oriented towards containing weights and dimensions.
The lack of the AF-MF selector by moving the ring could be, for many, even more an advantage than a disadvantage: in fact, the AF could be often deactivated accidentally when removing the camera from the camera bag.
Obviously, the selection of the focusing mode can be done directly from the camera body, as always.
The image quality that this zoom returns is very, very good, on the other hand we are talking about a Zuiko Pro series: the file is always well balanced and shows excellent homogeneity over the whole frame.
The autofocus is fast and responsive, it responds to the characteristics of all Pro lenses both in terms of video and advanced shooting functions where full compatibility by the AF engine is required.
The ability to close up is very interesting: it is possible to get very close to even very small subjects and obtain very detailed and sharp images.
This is a feature that, together with that extra focal mm, make it a truly versatile all-rounder.
I wanted to try the 12-45 Pro even in studio photography situations, with portraits: the yield was excellent with high detail and a pleasant and never excessive sharpness. Even in the photos to my children, it was always extremely pleasant and well balanced in the yield.
“But was this lens really needed?” is the question that has been bouncing on the web for weeks. The answer is YES.
Yes, because not all Olympus users have a professional camera that balances well with larger lenses; not everyone is interested in having an additional handgrip; many, on the other hand, are really attentive even to a few grams and cm of difference in the dimensions: for example, hikers, cyclists, and all those who want to minimize the size of their baggage, not just photographic, come to mind.
Landscape photographers invest very high figures, for example, to remove even a few hectograms from their tripod, or any other accessory.
A lens that maintains constructive and optical quality and at the same time offers an advantage in size and weight is certainly welcome for these categories. Just think of how many users, extremely satisfied with their E-M 10 (first series), PEN, PEN-F are there: all camera bodies that seem perfect companions, without further modifications, for the new Pro 12-45 zoom.
The new OM-D E-M5 Mark III, for example, together with this lens becomes a perfect combination for 360 ° use, covering 90% of situations and 100% of environmental conditions. (And in fact it is precisely the camera that will benefit from the first bundle-kit with this lens).
The perfect companion for those who want to keep the original ergonomics of the OM-D or PEN bodies unchanged
On the field, he behaved really well: excellent colour rendering and quality on the whole frame, without particular failures even in backlighting. At 12 mm, the lines are very correct and I have not noticed any particular defects to report.
Fast and reliable autofocus, robust and well built with regard to the mechanical part.
The constant aperture f/4, of course, makes it less suitable than the 12-40 Pro in certain situations, but if you are used to shooting in aperture situations from f/4 up (panoramas, product photography, travel, trekking and climbing…) there will be nothing to complain about.
Inside the package, there are the hood and a soft protective bag. The official list price places it as the cheapest of the Olympus Pro series lenses: about 30% less than the 12-40 Pro.
Conclusion
An indispensable product, in my opinion, for those who have always postponed the purchase of their first Pro zoom for reasons of size and handling; a very interesting purchase for those who want to differentiate their photographic equipment according to different situations.
It is a highly recommended lens for all those who were waiting to be able to take advantage of the advantages of a professional lens on non-pro bodies (without forgetting many other applications of the Micro 4/3 system in the video field, for example).
All those who do not feel limited by the weight and size of their current professional zoom, can safely expect more targeted products for their needs.
In any case, it remains a very positive attitude to note that a manufacturer tries to please all its customers with diversified products without making quality renounce.
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