Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Haruo Ogawa) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO, scheduled to go on sale in the end of November 2013. This lens is a standard zoom lens that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard and features a constant aperture f2.8. This lens features a dustproof and splashproof construction that can withstand even professional use, and is the first model in the “M.ZUIKO PRO” high-performance lens category.
Along with the release of the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1, the new M.ZUIKO PRO lens category will be established for the lens group that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard. This large-aperture standard zoom is the first in the M.ZUIKO PRO category which covers focal lengths equivalent to 24-80mm on a 35mm camera. In addition to dustproof and splashproof construction, its constant aperture value at all focal lengths was one of the requirements from professional photographers for a high-performance lens. This product maintains the brightness of a constant aperture f2.8 for the perfect response to high-grade image creation.
This product also remains both high-performance, compactness and lightweight form at a constant aperture f2.8 thanks to the Micro Four Thirds System standard compliant. This lens is also equipped with the Olympus exclusive MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism, and achieves the title of the world’s fastest AF*1 high-performance standard zoom lens when combined with the OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1. Additionally, it is equipped with Manual Focus Clutch mechanism, an evolved version of the Snapshot Focus mechanism, and is possible to shoot using a distance scale.
In addition to the “M.ZUIKO PRO”, the new lens category of Micro Four Thirds System standard becomes three in total with the “M.ZUIKO PREMIUM” which includes high-performance and high quality single-focal-length lenses, and “M.ZUIKO”. The future products will be created for each of these groups.
Main Features:
- Constant aperture fixed to f2.8, compact, lightweight form and superior depictive performance
- Dustproof and splashproof construction that expands shooting possibilities
- Equipped with the MSC mechanism for quick and silent auto focusing
- The Manual Focus Clutch mechanism, an evolved version of the Snapshot Focus mechanism
- Macro shooting performance of a minimum focusing distance of 20cm at all focal lengths, with a maximum magnification of 0.6x (35mm equivalent)
