Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

by Olympus

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000X1N56W
• Item model number: 261014
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 16, 2007

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

The Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD lens is a high-performance standard zoom lens that covers a zoom range equivalent to 24 to 120mm on a 35mm camera lens. Special optical glass elements are used to correct various types of aberrations, while the 100 percent digital design ensures high-definition performance with clear, crisp images from edge to edge. This lens also boasts impressive close-up shooting capability, allowing users to shoot from as close as 25cm throughout the zoom range.

The lens’ autofocus is powered by Olympus’ breakthrough SWD. Designed to be the world’s fastest AF system, this extraordinary autofocus drive provides both high speed and high precision while operating with lower noise than ever. Optimized for use with the new E-3, this lens enables the camera to demonstrate the full power of its high-speed capability, providing the fastest autofocus available in the world using a standard zoom lens.

About Supersonic Wave Drive Technology Olympus-proprietary SWD technology has enabled an ultra-fast, whisper-quiet, high-precision AF system. Two compact, high-powered Supersonic Wave Drive devices power autofocus at an ultra-high speed by exciting unique elliptical oscillations, while an ultra-compact 5.3mm x 4.3mm optical encoder detects and controls the lens drive position using direct rotation detection without reduction gear. This enables it to achieve a level of precision that’s accurate to 5 microns (5/1000 mm). When used in combination with the new E-3, which offers improved AF computation and lens-body communication rates, the SWD motors provide the fastest focusing speed of approximately 170 ms (0.17 seconds).

Product Description

D1) OLYMPUS 12-60MM F/2.8-4.0

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I could only have one lens, this would be it., November 27, 2007

By 

Ellamay B. Ward "Paradise" (Paradise, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This is an impressive lens, fast, wide, fairly long, and close focus abilities. I also own the 14-54mm F2.8-3.5, which had been my walk around lens until this one arrived. The 12-60mm is even sharper than then 14-54mm, which is not slouch.
The 2mm (4mm equivalent) difference on the wide end is VERY noticeable, especially if you are photographing indoors. The 6mm (12mm equivalent) is also noticeable and useful but not as extreme.
If you are used to the 14-54mm you find the 12-60mm very easy to get used to. It is a little bit larger, and slightly heavier but not noticeable after 30 minutes. Personally I rarely had my lens hood on when using the 14-54mm, with the 12-60mm it is on most of the time. This is due to the larger wide end which makes it easier to catch reflections and light flares.
The focus rings on the 12-60mm SWD and any new SWD lenses will feel strange compared to non SWD lenses. This is due to the other lenses being focus by wire, the SWD's have a mechanical connection. This means two things.
1. The focus ring is stiffer than the electronic versions.
2. Also with SWD lenses there is full time focus override. This IMHO makes it easier. If you happen to have the camera on the wrong setting with non SWD lenses at a critical moment, you can miss the shot.
The extra width, length, maximum magnification (.56X 35mm equivalent), weather sealing and VERY fast focusing speed make this an outstanding lens. I find myself changing lenses much less often due to this lenses versatility. I am being able to leave two other lenses (11-22mm & 50mm Macro) at home while hiking, which more than makes up for the slight weight and size increase from the 14-54mm. Also for those who don't have those lenses yet, it is cheaper as well.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect lens to leave on your camera, January 3, 2008

By 

Earl E. (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I bought this lens based on reviews seen here and my overall satisfaction with the Olympus brand. Out of the box revealed a high quality made in Japan (not China)lens. The zoom ring is a little tighter than I prefer but still perfectly acceptable.
My heart sank when my E300 wouldn't start after attaching the lens. After some frantic phone calls I learned that I had to update the camera's firmware. The Olympus website is very clear on the procedure and the whole process took less than 15 minutes. The first thing I noticed that this lens is one heavy hunk of glass. At 21.2 ounces compared to 10.9 ounces for the 14-45 kit lens, the extra weight does tend to unbalance the camera. The second thing I noticed was it focused noticably faster than the 14-45. Even in dim light I was surprised how quickly the lens popped into focus. The 12-60 zoom range is the ideal range for me and I truly appreciate the 12mm setting for those cramped quarters situations. Performance is exemplary. No noticeable linear or color distortion nor dark corners at any setting. This is the perfect lens to leave on your camera. One final bit of nitpicking; the velvet "sock" supplied as a lens case provides minimal, if any, protection. A soft leather pouch would be more appropriate for a $900 lens.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Olympus 12-60mm, December 23, 2007

By 

John C. Pucel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I own the Olympus 11-22mm and the 18 to 180 mm and found this to be an great addition. It is quick to focus, a bit more responsive than my former carry aound lens (18-180) and not too bulky to keep on for most of the day. A bit pricey but the results in my photos have been noticeable. It is now my everyday lens. I also have the Olympus 50 to 200mm so have most of my needs covered in the two lenses. Will probably sell the 11-22mm but it is a real quality lens as well