4.2X motorised zoom lens with 24mm (35mm equivalent) wide angle capability and
Micro Four Thirds System standard compatibility – The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ
(equivalent to 24-100mm of 35mm equivalent)
Main Features
1. 4.2X (approx.) zoom starting from a wide angle of 24mm (35mm camera equivalent) – ideal for wide shots even indoors
2. Motorised zoom mechanism for stable zooming at a constant rate
3. MSC mechanism enhanced by linear motor drive for faster, quieter AF control
4. Convenient features including macro mode for close-up shooting at 0.72X magnification (35mm camera equivalent) and the L-Fn (Lens Function) button with focus stop function
5. Dust/splash-proof mechanism
Olympus Imaging Singapore (General Manager: Jimmy Loh) is pleased to announce the release of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ, a Micro Four Thirds System standard-compliant zoom lens featuring a motorised zoom mechanism with zoom ratio of 4.2X starting from a wide angle of 24mm (35mm camera equivalent).
This zoom lens has a zoom ratio of approximately 4.2X, covering a range that extends from a wide angle of 24mm (35mm camera equivalent) – ideal for taking wide shots even indoors – to a medium telephoto focal length of 100mm (35mm camera equivalent), which is optimal for portraits. It is the first Olympus interchangeable lens to incorporate a motorised zoom mechanism, which is especially useful in movie shooting, thanks to the smooth, quiet zooming. The AF system is based on the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism enhanced by a newly developed linear motor drive that enables faster, quieter focusing.
To assure the best possible image quality, this sophisticated lens comprises 9 lens groups with 10 elements, including three aspherical elements. Special glass materials are used extensively to correct various aberrations and all lens surfaces are multi-coated to ensure high transmittance and clear imaging performance.
The lens also features a macro mode for close-up shooting with a closest focusing distance of 0.2 meters and maximum image magnification of 0.72X (35mm camera equivalent). In addition, an L-Fn (Lens Function) button is also provided to allow the user to stop autofocusing temporarily.
Finally, as befits a lens designed for the highly mobile Micro Four Thirds System, this new lens employs the proven dust-/splash-proof mechanism originally featured in the ZUIKO DIGITAL SHG (Super High Grade) series lenses. The result is a versatile zoom lens usable in the toughest conditions and capable of everything from close-up wide angle shooting to medium range telephoto shooting of both still images and movies.
Main Feature Details
1. 4.2X (approx.) zoom starting from a wide angle of 24mm (35mm camera equivalent) – ideal for wide shots even indoors
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ is a zoom lens with a zoom ratio of approximately 4.2X, covering a range that extends from a wide angle of 24mm (35mm camera equivalent) – ideal for taking wide shots even indoors – to a medium telephoto focal length of 100mm (35mm camera equivalent), which is optimal for portraits.
To enable a wide 84-degree angle of view to be captured at 24mm wide-angle, this zoom lens uses a DSA (Dual Super Aspherical) element that requires high-precision manufacturing because of the extremely large ratio between the thickness of the lens center and periphery, as well as double-sided aspherical elements located at an intermediate position between the lenses to correct spherical and comatic aberrations that can accompany changes in the zoom ratio.
In addition, an HR (High Refractive index) element and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element are combined for optimum correction of color aberrations. Thanks to the extensive use of special glass materials, the 9-group, 10-element lens construction of the zoom lens ensures high imaging performance throughout the zooming range. In addition, all lens surfaces are multi-coated to ensure high transmittance and clear imaging performance even under unfavourable conditions such as shooting against light.
The use of an inner zooming system means that there is no variation in overall lens length during zooming, ensuring that stability can be maintained during handheld shooting.
2. Motorised zoom mechanism for stable zooming at a constant rate
This zoom lens is our first interchangeable lens to use a motorised zoom mechanism. This mechanism enables smooth, quiet, stable zooming at a constant rate, which is especially convenient for movie shooting.
This mechanism drives the zoom lens at one of three selectable speeds and allows the user to control zooming as desired, including slow zooming during movie shooting, detailed composition setting, and quick zooming when required.
– Manual zooming is also available, allowing the user to take full control over zooming if desired.
3. MSC mechanism enhanced by linear motor drive for faster, quieter AF control
Developed independently by Olympus, the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism features advanced optical design technology developed for fast, quiet focusing. The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ enhances the MSC mechanism by a new linear motor drive. Driving the coil linearly with a direct electromagnetic force without using a gear that would produce noise, the new lens can drive autofocusing with swift start-up and faster, quieter and smoother operation. The smooth autofocusing enables comfortable, stress-free shooting with both movies and still images.
4. Convenient features including macro mode for close-up shooting at 0.72X magnification (35mm camera equivalent) and the L-Fn (Lens Function) button with focus stop function
The macro mode can be set by pushing the zoom ring forward, while depressing the macro button on the side of the lens. In this mode, focusing is possible between 50 and 20 cm for close-up shooting with a maximum image magnification of 0.72X (35mm camera equivalent). Another new feature is the L-Fn (Lens Function) button, which can activate the focus stop function that stops the autofocusing operation temporarily. This makes it possible to avoid unintended focusing on an obstacle that may appear suddenly between the camera and the subject.
5. Dust/splash-proof mechanism
Already proven with the SHG (Super High Grade)/HG (High Grade) series of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, our highly reliable dust/splash-proof mechanism is now incorporated for the first time in a product compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System. This mechanism uses multiple sealing rings fitted in key positions of the lens to prevent water splashes and dust from penetrating the lens.
Main Specifications
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ
| Mount type | Micro Four Thirds System standard |
| Focal length | 12mm – 50mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 24mm – 100mm equivalent |
| Lens construction | 10 elements in 9 groups (DSA element x 1, aspherical element x 2, HR element x 1, ED element x 1, etc.) |
| Angle of view | 84° – 24° |
| AF system | High Speed Imager AF (MSC: Linear motor drive) |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.2 m* |
| Maximum image magnification | 0.36X* |
| 35mm equivalent | 0.72X equivalent |
| Maximum field size | 36 × 48 mm²* |
| Number of blades | 5 blades (Circular diaphragm) |
| Maximum aperture | f3.5 (12mm) – f 6.3 (50mm) |
| Minimum aperture | f22 |
| Filter size | Φ52 mm |
| Dimensions (Max. diameter x Overall length) | Diameter 57 x 83mm |
| Weight | 211g |
| Provided accessories | Lens cap (LC-52C), lens rear cap (LR-2),
Instruction manual, Olympus International Warranty Card |
* in the macro mode.
Pricing and Availability
The OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ is available at a suggested retail price of S$698 (with GST) and is available at Olympus authorised retailers. For more information, please visit http://home.olympusimage.com.sg/contactus/authorised_retailers.asp
About Olympus Imaging Singapore
Olympus Imaging Singapore is the unparalleled industry leader in opto-digital technologies, delivering award-winning digital imaging products for the consumer and professional markets in Singapore. Driven by a strong commitment in providing innovative products and solutions of the highest quality, Olympus Imaging Singapore works closely with industry partners, customers and other Olympus business units in producing leading-edge products. These include analogue and digital cameras, professional SLR imaging systems, and voice recorders, amongst others. Olympus Imaging Singapore’s unrelenting efforts in superior customer service also bear testimony to its brand promise of delivering the best user experience to all consumers and professional users in the imaging field. For more information, please visit http://www.olympusimage.com.sg.
