Olympus 12mm Black
Score: 86/100
Tamron 150-500mm
Score: 86/100Rankings
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 is an ultra-compact, all-metal prime lens offering a fast f/2 aperture and excellent sharpness. Its trade-offs include noticeable vignetting and barrel distortion at the widest aperture. Ideal for street, travel and low-light shooters who value portability.
The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD offers superb sharpness and effective 3-mode vibration compensation in a relatively portable super-telephoto package. Its drawbacks include a variable aperture that hampers low-light AF and a heavy build that benefits from tripod use. Best suited for wildlife and sports photographers who need long reach without the bulk of native lenses.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
12 mmbest | — | |
2best | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.2 mbest | 0.6 m |
| ↓ lower better | 130 gbest | 1,879 g |
— | 3.3best | |
— | 9best | |
0.1best | — | |
11best | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(2) | ||
Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
Mount Compatibility | Micro Four Thirds System Camera | Sony E-mount |
Features(1) | ||
Autofocus Type | MSC | VXD |
Optics(3) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 12 mm | 150-500 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 2.0 | 5-6.7 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 0.2 m | 0.6 m |
Build & Design(4) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 46 mm | 82 mm |
Weight (g) | 130 g | 1879 g |
Length (mm) | 43 mm | 211 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 56 mm | 94 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the OM System 12mm f/2 for its ultra-compact build, silent MSC autofocus, and outstanding sharpness across the frame even wide open. They highlight the premium all-metal construction, precise manual-focus clutch, and excellent flare resistance from the ZERO coating. The main criticisms focus on the visible vignetting at f/2, slight barrel distortion, occasional purple fringing, and the omission of a lens hood.
Everyday users love the lens's "true magic" image quality, rapid and accurate autofocus, and the lightweight, sturdy metal body that fits comfortably in a travel kit. Common praise centers on low-light performance, portability, and the satisfying manual-focus feel. Recurring complaints involve sample-to-sample variation, noticeable vignetting and distortion at wide apertures, purple fringing in high-contrast scenes, and the lack of an included hood.
Professional reviewers consistently praise the Tamron 150-500mm for its excellent sharpness throughout the zoom range, especially when stopped down, and for its 2-3 stop VC system that makes handheld shooting at 500mm viable. The VXD autofocus is lauded for speed, quietness and reliable bird-tracking, while the weather-sealed build and Arca-Swiss tripod collar add rugged appeal. Critics note the extending barrel's exposure to elements, the slower variable aperture that hampers low-light AF, and the reduced 15 fps burst on Sony A1 compared with native lenses.
Everyday users echo the pros highlighted by experts, valuing the lens's sharp handheld wildlife results, close-focus flexibility and strong price-to-performance ratio. Recurring complaints focus on the lens's weight during extended handheld use, occasional low-light autofocus hesitation, and concerns about the extending barrel in dusty or rainy environments.
“"true magic" rendering”
“"super fast accurate focus (quicker than some full-frame lenses)"”
“excellent throughout focal range”
