Panasonic Lumix G Vario

12-32mm ASPH f/3.5-5.6 Mega OIS

 

This tiny Lumix lens is a gem for the Micro-Four-Thirds format. Collapsed, the lens is under 1 inch in length, and at its 32mm focal length the lens extends to 1.75” in length. It is a super compact wide-angle zoom for the Micro-Four-Thirds format with an equivalent (35mm) field-of-view of a 24-64mm zoom that focuses down to 8 inches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although it is barely over 2 ounces in weight, don't let its diminutive size fool you. Its maximum aperture extends from 3.5 at 12mm to 5.6 at 32mm and its sharpness extends well into the corners.

 

Although the lens does not have a manual focus ring its performance is unhindered with any autofocus M4/3 camera. Originally released as such for the Panasonic GM1 to retain its extremely compact dimensions, it is easy to use as AF on any m4/3 Panasonic or Olympus (EM-10 or EM-1, OM-D series) camera, and even has O.I.S. (optical image stabilization).

 

It weighs nearly nothing in the hand and makes the ideal travel companion for  any compact camera either Panasonic or Olympus. Although the lens does not come with a lens hood it does have a 37mm filter thread, which gives you the option of a step-up ring to adapt other small hoods. At the time of this writing its retail price (USD) is $350.

 

April 15, 2015

Toy Truck, 2014 (pictured above) was taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M10 and the Panasonic Lumix 12-32mm at 28mm, ISO 200, f/5.6@ 1/60sec. Detail shown (below) is pictured at 50% of full resolution.