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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

OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro

Micro Four Thirds Mount

M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro — 30mm f/3.5 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the om-system lineup.

$549

Launch price

Released Jun 2020

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 1.7 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

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

LandscapeTravel

Wins

5categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro

Macro & Close-upTravel

1 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 30mm F3.5 Macro wins 4 categories
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro has higher Max magnification (1.25 × vs 0.3 ×)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro has lower Weight (128 g vs 382 g)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro has lower Min focus distance (9.5 cm vs 20 cm)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro has lower Length (60 mm vs 84 mm)
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)

Key specs at a glance

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO IIM.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro
Focal Length12-40 mm30 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/3.5
MountMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
StabilizationNoNo
Weight382 g128 g
Min Focus20 cm9.5 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 30mm F3.5 Macro

56 × 60 mm

128 g (0.28 lb / 4.52 oz)

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 24mm longer and 14mm wider than M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro.

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 254 g heavier than M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro.

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 30mm F3.5 Macro
Portrait
3.0Limited
1.0Limited
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
3.5Limited
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Landscape
10.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
6.0Good
Wildlife
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
8.5Excellent

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 aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 ED

  • Max magnification

    1.25 × vs 0.3 × — higher is better

  • Weight

    128 g vs 382 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    9.5 cm vs 20 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    60 mm vs 84 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    56 mm vs 69.9 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

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 30mm F3.5 Macro

Pros

  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • 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 30mm F3.5 Macro at major authorized retailers.

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro

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 30mm F3.5 Macro
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
30 mm
Focal length (Max)
40 mm
30 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+0.6 stops wider
f/3.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+0.6 stops wider
f/3.5
Elements
14
7
Groups
9
7
Special elements
1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD, 2 HR
1 ED
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro
Min focus distance
20 cm
9.5 cm−11 cm less
Max magnification
0.3 ×
1.25 ×4.2× more
Autofocus motor
MSC (stepping motor)
MSC
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro
Weight
382 g
128 g−254 g less
Length
84 mm
60 mm−24 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 30mm F3.5 Macro
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.