Olympus 12mm Black
Score: 86/100
Tamron 17-70mm
Score: 82/100Rankings
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 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a versatile, constant-aperture zoom with built-in vibration compensation and weather-sealed construction, delivering sharp images across a useful focal range. Minor vignetting and by-wire focus quirks are its main trade-offs. It excels for APS-C mirrorless shooters needing a fast, all-round travel lens.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
12 mmbest | — | |
2 | 2.8best | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.2 m | 0.19 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 130 gbest | 525 g |
— | 4.1best | |
— | 9best | |
0.1 | 0.2best | |
11 | 16best |
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| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(2) | ||
Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Mount Compatibility | Micro Four Thirds System Camera | Sony E-mount (APS-C) |
Features(2) | ||
Autofocus Type | MSC | RXD |
Focus Type | MSC internal focusing system | Autofocus |
Optics(7) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 12 mm | 17-70 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 2.0 | 2.8 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 0.2 m | 0.19 m |
Macro Ratio | 0.08 | 0.21 |
Number of Optical Elements | 11 | 16 |
Number of Optical Groups | 8 | 12 |
Coating | ZERO | Fluorine, BBAR |
Build & Design(4) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 46 mm | 67 mm |
Weight (g) | 130 g | 525 g |
Length (mm) | 43 mm | 119.3 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 56 mm | 74.6 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 commend the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 for its travel-friendly size, constant fast aperture, and the added benefit of VC, which together deliver high-resolution, homogenous images and quiet, responsive autofocus. The lens is praised as a well-balanced, versatile option that feels solid in hand, though critics point out its noticeable vignetting, slight edge softness at 70 mm, and the quirks of its by-wire focus system.
Everyday users love the lens's portability, sharpness and the ability to shoot handheld in low light thanks to the f/2.8 aperture and VC. They frequently cite its "do-it-all" range as a major value, while repeatedly noting the need to correct vignetting and occasional autofocus oddities as the main pain points.
“"true magic" rendering”
“"super fast accurate focus (quicker than some full-frame lenses)"”
“Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture enables consistent exposure and depth-of-field control.”
