Olympus announces its highest zoom ratio lens, the M.Zuiko 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 super telephoto zoom

posted Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 2:00 AM EDT

One of the biggest advantages of a Micro Four Thirds camera system is that manufacturers can create lenses which offer extensive zooming capabilities while remaining compact. Olympus' newest super telephoto zoom lens, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3, is a perfect example of this. Offering a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 24-400mm, which is a 16.6x zoom ratio, the 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lens weighs just over a pound (455 grams) and is only 3.9 inches long (99.7 millimeters). In typical Olympus fashion, the compact form factor does not come at the cost of ruggedness as the new lens features the same level of weather resistance as M.Zuiko PRO lenses.

Looking at specifications, the optical formula includes 16 elements in 11 groups and features a trio of aspherical lenses, a pair of Super ED lenses, two ED lenses, one Super HR lens and finally, two HR lenses. The angle of view offered by the lens ranges from 84 degrees at 12mm to 6.2 degrees at 200mm. Regarding minimum focus distance, at the widest end of the lens, the lens can close focus to just under nine inches (22 centimeters). At the telephoto end, the close focus distance is a little over two feet (70 centimeters), which results in a 35mm-equivalent magnification of around 0.46x.

This image shows the focusing system in the new Olympus 12-200mm lens. The lens uses a single lightweight cemented lens for focusing, which is moved via a stepping motor. The lens has been designed to deliver good focusing performance for both motion and stills photography. For video shooters in particular, the lens promises minimum focus breathing.

Regarding additional features, the lens is equipped with Olympus' Movie and Still Compatible (MSC) mechanism designed to provide fast, smooth, quiet and accurate autofocus for both still and video shooting. On the optical side of things, the lens includes Olympus' cutting-edge Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical (ZERO) coating. This technology was originally devised for lenses in microscopes, but has since been applied to M.Zuiko lenses to help reduce ghosting and flare. It is worth noting that the 12-200mm lens does not feature built-in Optical Image Stabilization, although OM-D cameras do offer in-body image stabilization.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lens

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lens will be available in late March with a price in the United States of $899.99 USD. In Canada, the lens will cost $1,149.99 CAD. Stay tuned to Imaging Resource for gallery shots captured with the new zoom lens!