Support Camera Labs by price checking using the flags below



RSS Feed Camera Labs RSS Feed




Latest camera reviews

Olympus Stylus µ 1050 SW
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Pentax Optio W60
Panasonic Lumix FZ28

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Canon PowerShot A2000IS
Canon PowerShot G10
Canon IXUS 870 / SD 880IS
Sony Alpha A900
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D90
Panasonic Lumix LX3
Canon EOS 1000D / XS
Nikon D700

Olympus E-520
Canon EOS 450D / XSi
Sony Alpha A350

Panasonic Lumix TZ5


All reviews ....
   
 
  Latest DSLRs
     



Canon
Olympus
Pentax
Nikon
Panasonic
Sony
     
 
  Best Buys: our top models
     



Compacts / Super-zooms
Budget DSLRs / Mid-range DSLRs / Semi-pro / Lenses
   
 



   
 



Camera Labs Forum

Any questions, comments or a great tip to share? Join our Forum and let everyone know.
   
 
  DSLR Tips



 
Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm 1:2.8-4 Gordon Laing, September 2008

More Results : Outdoor / Resolution / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting


Support this site by shopping via these links

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Olympus ZD 12-60mm wide-angle uniformity comparison

 

To measure and compare the Olympus 12-60mm's vignetting and light fall-off we photographed a white target with a highly diffused custom filter using it and a number of rival lenses.

Here are the results for each lens set to their widest focal lengths, with the aperture fully open and the focus set to infinity.

The images were analysed with Imatest and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution. Bigger percentages are better.

12-60mm at 12mm f2.8
Mean corner fall-off: 85.4%
 
The image above was taken with the Olympus 12-60mm lens zoomed-out to 12mm with its aperture wide open. Here the light falls off in the corners to an average of 85.4% of the centre measurement. While a little darkening can be seen in the extreme corners, this is a very impressive result for a wide angle lens, comfortably beating the other lenses shown below, along with most models from rival manufacturers. An impressive result for the 12-60mm and the Four Thirds system.

Olympus ZD ED 14-42mm
Olympus ZD 14-45mm
Leica D 14-50mm
Olympus ZD ED 14-42mm wide angle uniformity
Olympus ZD 14-45mm wide angle uniformity
14-42mm at 14mm f3.5
Mean corner fall-off: 63.6%
  14-45mm at 14mm f3.5
Mean corner fall-off: 74.1%
  14-50mm at 14mm f2.8
Mean corner fall-off: 66%



Olympus ZD 12-60mm telephoto uniformity comparison

 

To measure and compare the Olympus 12-60mm's vignetting and light fall-off we photographed a white target with a highly diffused custom filter using it and a number of rival lenses.

Here are the results for each lens set to their longest focal lengths, with the aperture fully open and the focus set to infinity.

The images were analysed with Imatest and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution. Bigger percentages are better.

12-60mm at 60mm f4
Mean corner fall-off: 95.7%
 

The image above was taken with the Olympus 12-60mm lens zoomed-in to 60mm with its aperture wide open. Here the light falls off in the corners to an average of 95.7% of the centre measurement. Again while there's a little darkening in the extreme corners, this result essentially shows the 12-60mm performing almost perfectly in this test, beating the other models below - and again comfortably leading rival lenses. A great end to our formal tests with the 12-60mm delivering an excellent result when it comes to light fall-off, whether zoomed-out or zoomed-in. Now let's take a look at the lens in action in our 12-60mm sample images gallery.


Olympus ZD ED 14-42mm
Olympus ZD 14-45mm
Leica D 14-50mm
Olympus ZD ED 14-42mm telephoto angle uniformity
Olympus ZD 14-45mm telephoto uniformity
14-42mm at 42mm f5.6
Mean corner fall-off: 85.7%
  14-45mm at 45mm f5.6
Mean corner fall-off: 71.3%
  14-50mm at 50mm f3.5
Mean corner fall-off: 72.5%

Olympus ZD 12-60mm results

Outdoor / Resolution / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting

All words, images, videos and layout, copyright 2005-2009 Gordon Laing. May not be used without permission.

About Us / How we test / Best Buys / Home