Olympus has just announced the launch of a new lens, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 (35mm equivalent 24-400 mm). It features the highest range of zoom of any lens available for mirrorless systems, giving users more than 16 times magnification. At just $899, it goes on sale at the end of March.
The lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-400mm and, being designed for Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds bodies, it’s tiny. Weighing a mere 455 grams (a shade over 16 ounces), this lens is just 10 centimeters long (3.9 inches) when not extended (i.e., at its widest angle) and with its weatherproof sealing, it is designed for use in tough conditions.
Olympus has long been renowned for creating lightweight, incredibly portable systems and the Japanese manufacturer seems to have produced something exceptional in terms of size and flexibility with this lens. While certainly not the fastest, this miniature beast is smaller than many full-frame prime lenses and will make an excellent travel companion.
The lens consists of 16 elements in 3 groups, giving a maximum aperture of f/3.5 at its widest and f/6.3 when zoomed in to 200mm.
Other features include its ability to close focus on subjects that are 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) from the lens, and Olympus are keen to emphasize its suitability for video shooters, claiming smooth, fast, quiet autofocus as a result of their MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 is available to preorder now.
This stuff always excites me, but i enjoy bokeh too much.. Trully wish i didnt have an obsession with shallow DoF so i could jump on this