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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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 4 months newer.

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Wins

4categories

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

LandscapeTravel

Wins

1categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II wins 4 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 1 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Weight (382 g vs 1045 g)
  • AM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Length (84 mm vs 200 mm)
  • 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 lower Diameter (69.9 mm vs 88 mm)

Key specs at a glance

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO IIFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length12-40 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountMicro Four ThirdsSony E
CoverageMicro Four ThirdsFull Frame
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight382 g1045 g
Min Focus20 cm40 cm
Filter Size62 mm77 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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

88 × 200 mm

1045 g (2.30 lb / 36.86 oz)

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 116mm shorter and 18mm narrower than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II.

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 663 g lighter than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II.

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
3.0Limited
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
10.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
3.5Limited

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…

  • Weight

    382 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    84 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Control ring

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

  • Diameter

    69.9 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Max magnification

Both 0.3 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

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

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
40 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
14
17
Groups
9
14
Special elements
1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD, 2 HR
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
20 cm−20 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×
0.3 ×
Autofocus motor
MSC (stepping motor)
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
382 g−663 g less
1045 g
Length
84 mm−116 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
69.9 mm−18 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
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.