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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

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 11 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

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

LandscapeTravel

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Weight (382 g vs 778 g)
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Min focus distance (20 cm vs 40 cm)
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.17 ×)

Key specs at a glance

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO IIFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length12-40 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountMicro Four ThirdsSony E
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight382 g778 g
Min Focus20 cm40 cm
Filter Size62 mm72 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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 24mm shorter and 17mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 396 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

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 IIFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
3.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
10.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Travel
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
0.0Limited

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…

  • Weight

    382 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    84 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    69.9 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
40 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
14
14
Groups
9
10
Special elements
1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD, 2 HR
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
20 cm−20 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+76%
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
MSC (stepping motor)
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
382 g−396 g less
778 g
Length
84 mm−24 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
69.9 mm−17 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds
Sony E
Format coverage
Micro Four Thirds
Full Frame

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