OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm
Score: 84/100
Tokina ATX-i 100mm
Score: 82/100Rankings
The Olympus 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO is a professional-grade, weather-sealed zoom offering razor-sharp optics and industry-leading 7-stop image stabilization. Its trade-offs are a slower constant f/4 aperture, some distortion at extremes, and a heavier package. It excels for hybrid shooters and travelers needing a versatile, rugged all-in-one lens.
The Tokina ATX-i 100mm f/2.8 macro delivers true 1:1 reproduction, a fast aperture and a 55 mm filter thread in a compact package. It lacks an internal focus motor, causing autofocus limitations on some Nikon bodies. Perfect for macro photographers needing high sharpness and decent working distance.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 100 mmbest | |
4best | 2.8 | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.15 mbest | 0.3 m |
| ↓ lower better | 561 g | 525 gbest |
8.3best | — | |
7 | 9best | |
0.3 | 1best | |
17best | 9 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(1) | ||
Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon F |
Features(2) | ||
Autofocus Type | MSC | External focus |
Focus Type | autofocus | One-Touch Focus Clutch |
Optics(7) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 12-100 mm | 100 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 4.0 | 2.8 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 0.15 m | 0.3 m |
Macro Ratio | 0.32 | 1 |
Number of Optical Elements | 17 | 9 |
Number of Optical Groups | 11 | 8 |
Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9 |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 72 mm | 55 mm |
Weight (g) | 561 g | 525 g |
Length (mm) | 116.8 mm | 98 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the OM System 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO for its razor-sharp optics, industry-leading up to 7-stop Sync IS, and rugged IP53-sealed construction. They commend its fast, quiet MSC autofocus and the versatile 24-200mm equivalent range, calling it a class-defining all-in-one solution, while noting the constant f/4 aperture and occasional distortion as the main trade-offs.
Everyday users celebrate the lens as a travel-friendly "do-it-all" tool that delivers sharp images, reliable weather sealing, and game-changing stabilization for handheld video. Common criticisms focus on the f/4 aperture being too slow for indoor events, occasional corner softness at 100mm, and the lens's size and weight on smaller bodies.
“do-it-all convenience for travel (one lens replaces multiple)”
“sharp images wide open”
“reliable weather sealing in rain/dust”
Professional reviewers commend the Tokina ATX-i 100mm f/2.8 for its exceptional sharpness, especially at f/5.6, and its flat-field design that yields edge-to-edge clarity.
Everyday users praise the lens for its striking sharpness, soft bokeh, compactness, and fast aperture that handles low-light situations well. Recurring criticisms focus on the limited autofocus performance on certain Nikon bodies and the need for extra lighting when stopping down to very small apertures.
