Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO

Heralding a new standard of M.ZUIKO lenses as the first model in the new M.ZUIKO PRO category, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO lens is engineered to meet the needs of professional photographers in all respects. When combined with the OLYMPUS OM-D, this large-aperture lens achieves the reputation of an unbelievably fast AF high-performance standard zoom. Its constant, bright aperture value of f2.8 at all focal lengths (equivalent to 24-80mm on a 35mm camera), combined with other sophisticated technologies including an MSC and Manual Focus Clutch mechanism, deliver high-grade image creation for a wide range of photographic styles, regardless of lighting conditions and distance. The compact and lightweight design also has a dustproof, freezeproof and splashproof construction compliant with professional use, expanding shooting capabilities even in the most testing of environments.

Compact yet powerful: Fast constant aperture (f2.8) in a lightweight body

Its state-of-the-art PRO lens architecture is composed of 14 lens elements in 9 groups, aligned to achieve the fast constant f2.8 aperture and high imaging performance with exceptional sharpness throughout its focal range. The bright fixed aperture lends itself to a wide range of photographic styles - from high-precision night shots thanks to its impressive low-light performance, through to portrait photos incorporating a versatile control of depth and background blur effects. With a minimum focus distance of 20 cm at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.6x (in 35mm terms), this lens is also well-suited for capturing amazing details in macro photography.

The lens configuration is also designed to make it incredibly portable and lightweight, so you can concentrate on getting great photography and videos rather than being slowed down with heavyweight kit. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO weighs just 382 grams, has a filter diameter of 62mm, and offers dimensions of just 69.9 x 84mm.

DSA and HR lenses boost performance and reduce size

The adoption of a DSA (Dual Super Aspherical) lens element has made high aberration correction performance possible with this M.ZUIKO PRO lens. By combining this with an HR (High refractive Index) element, the number of lens elements has been successfully reduced, thereby shortening the length of the lens and reducing its overall size and weight to a minimum. Thanks to the incorporation of a thin fast aperture doublet, a high-quality optical surface has been achieved. This is also combined with an HD (High Definition) element, which has the two-fold effect of enhancing image quality and reducing chromatic aberration.

Engineered for outstanding MFT lens image quality

The superior performance of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO does not stop at the amount of detail this lens is capable of capturing. It also excels beyond the performance of other equivalent fixed focal-length lenses in terms of the actual quality of the detail that is captured. When coupled with a Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor, it has the potential to truly excel in terms of resolution, contrast and MTF across its whole focal range.

As the curves in the MTF charts on the right show, there is exceptionally good contrast preservation - as opposed to the loss of contrast with many lenses towards the edges of an image - with minimal drop-off away from the image's centre, even for small-scale contrast. As such, it's a powerful and versatile tool for producing impactful stills and movies with excellent image quality right into the corners of the image.

Dustproof, freezeproof and splashproof

Even when subjected to heavy professional usage in harsh and testing conditions, the specification standard and resilient construction of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO makes sure that you can depend on reliable operation and all-terrain usage in the long term.

It has been engineered with strategically placed special sealing that prevents dust particles and splashes of water from entering the body of the lens itself. Meanwhile the material used to build the lens housing itself has a splashproof specification, as well as having a breathable permeability to allow for air to flow through. Securely sealed from the harshest elements, you can embark on the most extreme photography adventures and also be able to concentrate fully on capturing the action, rather than worry about protecting your equipment.

Autofocusing with high speed and low noise

The MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism of the linear motor drive focusing unit inside the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO has been made faster and quieter for the M.ZUIKO PRO category. The linear motor moves the focusing lens via coils driven linearly with an electromagnetic force produced by the magnetic field of the incorporated magnet and the current of the coils. By replacing the use of a gear, which is usually the cause of focusing noise, this mechanism ensures virtually silent operation. High-precision synthetics optimise its quick, smooth, silent and moreover accurate AF drive. This standard of autofocusing promises stress-free shooting without the whirr of lens mechanics both for movies (e.g. for improved sound quality when shooting HD movie clips and stereo) and stills images (e.g. for macro nature photography when you don't wish to disturb your subject).

Manual Focus Clutch Mechanism: Enhanced manual focusing

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO is equipped with a manual focus clutch mechanism, which allows you to switch to manual focus instantly just by moving the focus ring back. You can then use the lens in the same manner as a conventional manual focus lens, shifting the focusing point to a specific distance. Sliding the focus ring towards you moves the focusing point to a specific distance, and rotating the focus ring moves the focal distance within the scale range indicated on the lens cylinder. The focus ring stops at infinity and the closest focus distance. The resolution of the manual focus mechanism has now been improved even further for smooth and precise manual focusing.

ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating

In order to minimise unwanted yet hard-to-prevent artifacts in photographs such as ghosts and flares as far as possible, the lens surfaces of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO are coated with Olympus's special ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, which cuts the reflectance of wavelengths between 450 and 650 nm in half to ensure clear imaging performance even under unfavourable conditions, such as when shooting against the light. The ZERO coating is an application of the thin film control technology that Olympus originally developed for the multilayer film deposition technology for microscopes. As well as offering clear images, this technology also helps maintain the lens's low reflectivity by preventing scratches and degradation due to the enhanced strength and durability made possible by vacuum deposition.

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