Limited no more: Olympus adds a standard black color for its 12mm f/2.0 Micro Four Thirds lens

Back in late 2012, when Olympus launched the PEN E-PL5 compact system camera -- a model just replaced by the Olympus E-PL7 this very day -- it also unveiled a new, limited-edition variant of its M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 prime lens.

The new optic was identical to the silver variant first released by the company in mid-2011, but with a black finish that we understand significantly outsells the silver one in the US market. At the time, it was described as a limited-edition variant (with about a $300 price boost), and for at least the least couple of years, that's been the case.

Soon, though, it will be "limited" no more. Alongside the announcement of the Olympus E-PL7, the company has also revealed that it's making the black-bodied 12mm f/2.0 optic broadly available at retail, which will be good news for anyone with a Micro Four Thirds camera body in black.

It's worth pointing out that at the current time, this optic is the second highest-rated M.ZUIKO optic by readers of Imaging Resource sister site, SLRgear.com. Only the company's 60mm f/2.8 optic is held in higher regard by SLRgear readers, who've currently given the 12mm f/2.0 an overall rating of 9.75/10.

And when we reviewed the lens back in 2011, we agreed, noting that it "offers excellent results for sharpness in a quality package". And now, it does all that, and it matches your black camera body too. Oh, happy day!

This is sure to be a very popular lens for Micro Four Thirds shooters, so get your spot in line and place your pre-order with a trusted Imaging Resource affiliate now:

• Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f/2.0 Black: ADORAMA | AMAZON | B&H