Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD Reviews & Tests

Expert review by : Szymon Starczewski (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

At the beginning of March 2007 the Olympus company announced the launch of four new Zuiko lenses. Among them was the Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD model – a lens unique in more than one way.

very solid barrel ; sensible dimensions when you take into account its wide focal lengths range, good fastness, weather-sealing and the presence of an SWD motor ; outstanding or very good image quality in the frame centre at all focal lengths and...

Nov, 2009

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Expert review by : Darren (digital photography blog)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD Lens

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD Lens The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD is a high-performance standard zoom lens, which covers a zoom range equivalent to 24mm to 120mm on a 35mm camera lens. Special optical glass elements are used to...

The lens' autofocus is powered by Olympus' breakthrough SWD. Designed to be the world's fastest AF system, this extraordinary autofocus drive provides both high speed and high precision while operating with lower noise than ever. Optimized for use with...

Oct, 2007

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

I used it on Olympus E3 and E30. It is the only zoom that I love. Now no longer use any zoom, only occasionally this zoom lens with adapter for m4/3. With 12-60 lens Zuiko gave a excellent glass!

Excellent performer at all focal. Very well build ( dust/ water proof and very solid - I often dropped it and no issue )

distorsion (but fix in post processing)

Nov, 2015

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

I used this lens on my OM-D E-M5 for all kinds of photos, including atop my 1-man raft for 5 days' float down the Grand Ronde River in Oregon and making huge panorama prints. It has never disappointed me. Now my normal lens on an OM-D E-M1 with an...

Likely the sharpest of any lens I have ever used since 1960, certainly sharper than any zoom of comparable range. Contrasty, weather resistant, life changing optic for this old photog

Size, if comparing to Micro 4/3 lenses. If comparing to the rest of the lenses we've been using the last 50 years, the size is advantageous. I have NO complaint with this lens

Dec, 2014

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

I used this lens on my OM-D E-M5 for all kinds of photos, including atop my 1-man raft for 5 days' float down the Grand Ronde River in Oregon and making huge panorama prints. It has never disappointed me. Now my normal lens on an OM-D E-M1 with an...

Likely the sharpest of any lens I have ever used since 1960, certainly sharper than any zoom of comparable range. Contrasty, weather resistant, life changing optic for this old photog

Size, if comparing to Micro 4/3 lenses. If comparing to the rest of the lenses we've been using the last 50 years, the size is advantageous. I have NO complaint with this lens

Dec, 2014

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

A work of art, surely the best standard zoom ever created. I need say no more about its quality, it's just that good. But unfortunately I had problems with focus accuracy on ALL my Olympus bodies. A replacement lens was exactly the same. I found the...

optical quality, speed, build quality

Autofocus on 4/3 bodies is unreliable, especially at wide angle

Jan, 2012

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

A work of art, surely the best standard zoom ever created. I need say no more about its quality, it's just that good. But unfortunately I had problems with focus accuracy on ALL my Olympus bodies. A replacement lens was exactly the same. I found the...

optical quality, speed, build quality

Autofocus on 4/3 bodies is unreliable, especially at wide angle

Jan, 2012

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

A real winner.

Better than all my very good Nikon lenses

I have not experienced any

Dec, 2011

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

A real winner.

Better than all my very good Nikon lenses

I have not experienced any

Dec, 2011

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Consumer review (lenstip.com)

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60 mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD

Great lens. If you need one all-rounder, this is it! 12@24 mm is great for wide end and 60@120 gives you a bit more edge compared to other basic-zooms.If you are running on tight budget, you should consider 14-54 f2.8-3.5 if the extra millimeters...

Great focal lengthIQ and contrast/color handling is well balanced with the focal length, but compared to 50-200, it feels a bit lame. Amazing all-rounderWeather sealingWell balanced with E-3 and E-5Works almost as a macro lens, focuses almost to the...

A bit dark in the tele endA bit expensiveWould need a bit more contrast/color capabilities compared to 50-200

Dec, 2010

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