With the two-times field reduction of the Four Thirds standard, the Zuiko Digital 12-60mm delivers an equivalent coverage of 24-120mm. This makes it an ideal general-purpose lens, taking you from decent wide angle to respectable telephoto coverage

In use it really does cover most bases, whether you’re squeezing in a big landscape, building or group shot at one end, or getting close to detail or shooting portraits at the other. This 5x optical range is certainly one of our favourites in general-use.

To illustrate the 12-60mm’s coverage we mounted it on an E-3 body on a tripod and shot the same scene fully zoomed-out, then fully zoomed-in. We then shot the same scene from exactly the same position moments later using the original 14-45mm kit lens, again using the E-3 body.

Olympus ZD 12-60mm coverage wide		Olympus ZD 14-45mm coverage wide
12-60mm at 12mm, f8 (24mm equivalent)		14-45mm at 14mm, f8 (28mm equivalent)

Above you can see coverage examples with both lenses zoomed-out to their widest focal length. The 14-45mm kit lens is capturing a decent field of view at an equivalent of 28mm, but the 24mm equivalent of the 12-60mm squeezes in that much more and can be invaluable in situation where you want more dramatic perspective or simply can’t step back any further.

Olympus ZD 12-60mm coverage tele		Olympus ZD 14-45mm coverage tele
12-60mm at 60mm, f8 (120mm equivalent)		14-44mm at 45mm, f8 (90mm equivalent)

Above are coverage samples taken with each lens zoomed-into their maximum focal lengths where the difference between them becomes more obvious. The 120mm equivalent of the 12-60mm allows you to get noticeably closer to the subject, and again is useful for isolating detail or accentuating a blurred background on portrait shots.

Ultimately the focal range of the 12-60mm is much more flexible than a typical kit zoom and will satisfy the requirements of most photographers in day-to-day use.