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OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

IP53 weather-sealed standard zoom with constant F2.8, MSC autofocus, and 0.3× magnification at 40mm.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Feb 2022

vs
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

Micro Four Thirds Mount

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 — 12mm f/2 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the om-system lineup.

$799

Launch price

Released Jun 2012

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 9.7 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

LandscapeTravel

Wins

5categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

LandscapeTravel

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II wins 1 categories·M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 wins 4 categories
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.08 ×)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Weight (130 g vs 382 g)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Length (43 mm vs 84 mm)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2 vs f/2.8)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO IIM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Focal Length12-40 mm12 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2
MountMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
StabilizationNoNo
Weight382 g130 g
Min Focus20 cm20 cm
Filter Size62 mm46 mm

Size and weight, to scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

70 × 84 mm

382 g (0.84 lb / 13.47 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 shown to scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

56 × 43 mm

130 g (0.29 lb / 4.59 oz)

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 41mm longer and 14mm wider than M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 252 g heavier than M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO IIM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Portrait
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Landscape
10.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Travel
7.0Good
8.0Excellent
Wildlife
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
2.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA…

  • Control ring

    Only M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.08 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED

  • Weight

    130 g vs 382 g — lower is better

  • Length

    43 mm vs 84 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    56 mm vs 69.9 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 20 cm

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Pros

  • Constant F2.8 across 12–40mm (24–80mm equiv.)
  • IP53 dust/splash/freeze resistance with ZERO coating
  • Compact 382g body with MF clutch and L-Fn button

Cons

  • No lens-based IS — relies on Sync IS in compatible bodies
  • Extending barrel design

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Micro Four Thirds mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 at major authorized retailers.

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
12 mm
Focal length (Max)
40 mm
12 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2+1 stop wider
Elements
14
11
Groups
9
8
Special elements
1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD, 2 HR
1 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Min focus distance
20 cm
20 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×3.8× more
0.08 ×
Autofocus motor
MSC (stepping motor)
MSC
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Weight
382 g
130 g−252 g less
Length
84 mm
43 mm−41 mm less
Diameter
69.9 mm
56 mm−14 mm less
Filter thread size
62 mm
46 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
7
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Micro Four Thirds
Micro Four Thirds

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.