When you're choosing a lens for your camera, versatility matters: being able to handle different kinds of photography keeps things simple, making trips and shoots more enjoyable. A perfect all-arounder for Micro Four Thirds users might seem elusive, but this video tests one contender that's well worth your attention.
Coming to you from Chris Baitson, this practical video explores using the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO lens for different situations. Baitson usually prefers Olympus's popular 12-40mm f/2.8 option, but he decided to shake things up by experimenting with this slightly more telephoto zoom. While the f/4 aperture gives up a stop of light compared to the faster lens, it offers a longer focal range (24mm to 200mm full frame equivalent) which might benefit you depending on your typical scenarios. Throughout the video, Baitson takes the lens out in interesting conditions that push its capabilities, from landscapes and slow shutter shots to informal bird photography. He admits upfront that this isn't a dedicated wildlife lens. Instead, he sees if the combination of extended reach and compact flexibility makes it a strong generalist choice.
The lens itself has key practical strengths: built-in image stabilization means steadier handheld shots, while its rugged, weather-sealed construction suits outdoor photography. Having a constant f/4 aperture through the zoom range, although slower than an f/2.8 lens, remains advantageous in brightly lit scenes or when moderate background blur matters more than absolute light-gathering power. Baitson takes advantage of the OM system camera's bird autofocus mode, covering casual wildlife photography in scenarios where close subjects offset shorter maximum reach. Though he mentions this isn't truly the ideal lens for serious wildlife shooting, its performance surpasses expectations in less demanding scenarios.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 12 to 100mm (35mm Equivalent: 24 to 200mm)
- Aperture: Maximum: f/4, Minimum: f/22
- Angle of View: 84° to 12°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 5.91" / 15 cm
- Magnification: 0.3x Magnification (1:3.33 Macro Reproduction)
- Optical Design: 17 Elements in 11 Groups
- Aperture Blades: 7, Rounded
- Autofocus: Yes
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Filter Size: 72 mm (Front)
- Dimensions: ø: 3.05 x L: 4.59" / ø: 77.5 x L: 116.5 mm
- Weight: 1.23 lbs / 561 g
Baitson's real-world approach demonstrates practical upsides when getting creative: taking portraits at 100mm (200mm equivalent), or zoomed-in detail compositions of waves and cliffs that highlight small elements of motion and color. He emphasizes that these aren't ideal conditions for this lens, but it performs well enough to justify its place as a solid choice for people who want flexibility without carrying numerous lenses. If your shooting doesn't always focus on a single specialized niche and you often need to adapt on the fly, this lens delivers. However, he makes clear that serious low-light photography or night sky shooting still benefits from the brighter f/2.8 lens. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Baitson.
1 Comment
This excellent lens was an important reason for me to switch to Olympus/MFT 8 years ago. I've since bought and sold many lenses, but I still have this 12-100 lens.