I have a GX9 and this is my only lens. It's a first for me having just one body and one lens but it does everything I need it to with ease. If I do get another lens it would only be if I get into portraits or regular low light photography but as yet I'm very happy. We live in a great age where even kit lenses are fantastic!
This small lens is wonderful. I bought it for my summer trip to London with my son. With 14 - 140 on my G80 and the 12 - 32 in my pocket and no camera bag, I covered all my needs for city/street photos. The difference between 14mm and 12mm wide angle is important in a big city.
This is absolutely my preferred lens, I have a lot that I use depending on what kind of photo I want to make but in the street or when I travel around it's a must have with my gx80 and my gx9
I bought a second-hand Lumix GX8 together with the Lumix 12-32 quite cheaply and this combination has been my constant companion for street photography and landscape photography ever since. I am very satisfied with the little extra on the belt or in the backpack.
It is my go to lens with my GX85. I have used this lens many times and really enjoy it. I use my 14-140 lens when I need more zoom, but love my 12-32. Thanks for the review!
I think the reason that kit lenses get a bad reputation can be summed up in one word - Canon! I moved from Canon to micro 4/3 and was really impressed with the value of this kit lens. I did get an Olympus 12 to 60, but still use this on my small camera body.
It's a great little lens, and for the tiny weight, extremely well made. Ideally it would be good to have a little more zoom at the zoom end but it is still good for most purposes. It will produce a reasonable amount of Bokeh for portraits if that's what you need, but you have to set the camera up very carefully to achieve it.
Yes! Although I'm mainly a Olympus shooter but I'm completely in love with both the 12-32 and the 30-100 with a similar design. Both are surprisingly sharp!
I remember this videos and I'm pretty sure that I liked, some years later it shows on my timeline suggestions to watch and it's not marked as already liked, even not subscribed to channel anymore. I'm using the same account for the last 10 years.
I had this lens with my favourite Lumix, my GM5. I was great, but I replaced it with a 14-42 which with hindsight was a poor replacement. Now I use the tiny 12-32 and I am happy !
The 14-45mm is a very nice lens though not as small as the 12-32mm. I think people with all the 14-42mm lenses around forget about this lens which is very cheap secondhand and better I think than the kit Olympus 14-42 lenses though I cannot say as to the Panasonic ones. I wonder if production standards were higher and cost factors less of an issue when this original 14-45mm kit lens was produced. The 14-45mm just seems to pop in a way that really makes me really like it. It is Mega OIS which is noticeably inferior to the new Power OIS which does not need the marketing name fillip and IBIS does a better job on Olympus bodies.
A very good overview of a great little lens. I owned one with a GM1 and sold both (what a fool...!), and missed it as a tiny lens to have on any Lumix. Happily, they are are amazing value secondhand, so picked up another one from a dealer (inc warranty) for just £94, and its the 'better' metal mount version too. The sharpness is great, the zoom range really useful, and coupled with a Lumix 42.5mm f1.7, you've got a lens combo' outfit so small and light, you'll hardly know you've got them. Buy one!
It's very much as you said at 9:28. You can get great photos on cheaper or kit lenses, and nobody would ever "accuse" the image of being taken with a lowly kit lens!
Thanks for your video! I have this lens, I made videos and photos too, I usually film since it focuses fast and automatic, it is only simple and great. I love the simple
Re-watched your review, so I decided to try this lens again with my gx85. I've been shooting almost exclusively at 12mm out on the street with good results. I think you are right. There is a place for this tiny lens.
I have tested quite a few lenses for use in infrared photography. The biggest problem is finding a lens that doesn’t have an IR hot spot. This is the second best lens I have found and the most practical.
I have used this lens on the minuscule G100 with great success both in stills and video. This lens + the G100 makes for a superb street photography combination.
This lens is such a surprise. I didn’t even bother using it at first because I figured it would be mediocre but this is a seriously good lens and makes the smaller camera bodies into a pocket monsters.
Hi, I like this little Zoom because of its little measures and weight because that means I will take it with me! I combine it often with the 20mm/1,7 . As Lenshood I use a stepup ring 37-46mm and then a little wideangle metalhood. So I can use 46mm Filters on it and protect the lens a bit.Most time I use the GM1 with a modificated handgrip with a wooden grip. Thanks for the video!
I should be hunting one for myself too. Such a tiny and compact lens! Could not have done a better review for this lens myself, love your sample images in this review! I like how the skies are deep blue in some of your photos. Malaysian skies can be blue but never that deep in blue.
Hi Robin! Love your videos! This lens will be so sexy on my incoming Lumix GM1. I found the GM1 on eBay yesterday. Good price and in what appears to be mint condition. It had lived its entire life in a sturdy (old fashion) leather case. So nice looking. Greetings from Sweden!!!
I have this lens, It came with my GX800 and it's perfect to travel light. In fact in my last family travel I took this camera setup plus the 20mm f1.7 and I ended pretty happy with the results. I'm looking to add a 35-100 f3.5-5.6 to my bag for this kind of light setup just in case I need the long range. And just for context I own the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8, it's an awesome lens, relatively compact and light, and a much better lens overall than the 12-32, but in many situations I don't really need it, and the GX800 with the 12-32 is more than enough.
Just for those m43 shooters who don't own this lens already and are OK with the slightly slower apertures (f3.5-5.6) ... my older, black copy (metal lens mount) is a gem of a small all-day lens that on my E-M1s renders just beautifully and delivers about equally sharp images right into the extreme corners throughout the FL range like any of my prime lenses, hats off to Pana for this one.
Thanks for this video! It is nice to have a video on a lens that does not cost and arm and a leg. I have this lens and I use it mostly on holiday. It is a practical lens due to the size and weight. F3.5 at 12mm is ok, especially with Dual IS (GX80!) for low light shots. I agree that 32mm at the Tele end is a little bit limiting but... It has a sibling, the 35-100mm f4-5.6 lens. It is also very small (twice the length of the 12-32 closed) and gives great results, one day please do a video on that lens. For enthusiasts there are good alternative to the pro gear.
You can buy 37mm step up rings. These allow you to fit filters and lens hoods. I got a 37-52mm which allows me to use the same lens hood and filters for the 12-32 and my 45-150 lens.
I to have owned this lens for five years and out of my 5 lenses it's the one I use most often. The pictures are always sharp as in focus. My camera is a Lumix GX7 so I have double stabilization.
@@rayl.7760 The full name of the lens is Panasonic 12-32 mm/F 3.5-5.6 LUMIX G VARIO MEGA OIS ASPH(H-FS12032) 12 mm Lens Maga OIS is the Lumix name for stabilisation. In my case my camera also offers stability so I have something double stable. In the video he speaks about taking a long exposure hand held and it works well. I hope that helps.
@@BoyanLove not trying come at you, simply informing, so you can understand your camera a little better. My friend, unfortunately the gx7 doesnt have the dual IS feature, yes the body has a stabilized sensor (2 axis system), and yes the lens has OIS. When a Panasonic Lumix lens, with Stabilization is placed on the gx7, the Lens Stabilization will be active, and the IBIS will deactivated (automatic), as the lens Stabilization is more effective then this old style IBIS on the GX7. On Pansonic lenses, where there is an On/off switch, if you have the switch to off, the IBIS will then be active on the gx7. All Olympus, and Pansonic lenses without Stabilization will have active IBIS on the gx7. On the GX8 (4 axis), they introduced the dual IS function for still photography only. On gx85, g85 generation ( 5 axis IBIS, current sytem) Panasonic added the capability of the dual IS feature in video. The smaller lines gx850, gf10, do not have stabilization and will use lens OIS when applicable.
That being said if you ever want to upgrade from the gx7, and love the handling, the gx85 is the best natural upgrade, slightly smaller grip, and the EVF doesnt tilt, but you gain crazy improved stabilization, if you think you had DUAL IS on your gx7 (which you dont), you wont believe a camera that actually does! They also removed the AA filter, which sharpened the images a bit more, and the video quality has come a long way. The microphones aren't very good, not sure why?.. Can be had for 350 open box on ebay, and will come with a second copy of this lens for ya, plus a 45-150!
This is very interesting. I don't know if it's a regional thing or what exactly is going on, but I have this lens in silver - it's nine years old now. This lens can be prone to barrel separation when the glue in the front barrel dries up. This happened to mine and I had to take it apart and re-glue it (!). What was interesting to discover though was that the entire shell was, in fact, made of a very fine aluminium with a poly-carbonate core . Also, mine has a metal bayonet connector - go figure. I am in the UK - and mine came as a kit lens so perhaps the metal construction has something to do with that. All I can say is, I was kind of happy it fell apart in the end. It's a great little lens. It's great to know it comes in a metal guise as well - even if that doesn't stop it falling apart!😄
Thanks for the information re the lens hood for that lens Just ordered it, the lens i have I have gave me vignetting at the wide end of the lens . Using this lens most of the time except in poor light, as a retired professional photographer I find the m4/3 system so light and fast in comparison to full frame DSLRs Thanks again for the info
@@DerVagabundli Sure... I bought it at online store here in Indonesia. I'll give you the link. But I'm not sure how they can manage shipping abroad in this chalanging situation. Beli Metal Lens Hood 37 Vented - 37mm Black tokopedia.link/VqxQFNGL26 di toko Relics Store Rp47.500 di Tokopedia dengan Bebas Ongkir, Sekarang! Dapatkan cashback 50% hingga 30Rb untuk pembelian pertama kamu dengan kode: TPMELIFC0B. Belanja? Tokopedia Saja!
I love using the Panasonic 12-32 on my Olympus EM10 Mark II for general hobbyist photos and for my professional photography (commercial, architectural, landscape; and parties and events). All my work is published online at 1280x1024. This lens easily does pro quality work for viewing photos on websites at 1280x1024 for subjects that require (or tolerate) high depth of field. For stationary subjects it works well handheld indoors and outdoors in daytime (sunny or cloudy). For moving subjects it does well outdoors (sunny to moderately cloudy). I shoot all architecture and landscapes at F5.6. For other commercial subjects, and people, events, parties (usually outdoors in daylight, but sometimes indoors) I use F4 to 5.6, depending on lighting, amount of motion, desired DOF, and focal length). I get excellent results. If there is insufficient light (dim indoors with motion), or if I need less DOF, then I switch to an Olympus F1.8 prime lens (usually 17mm or 25mm) or Sigma 30mm F1.4. The Olympus 14-40 is the only Olympus zoom lens I own. I rarely use the Oly 14-40 because it's zoom range is less useful to me, and it's a very flimsy lens. I don't trust it. Its lock button broke the first time I used it. It's sharpness seems fine, bit I feel the Pan 12-32 may be sharper. I said "feel" because I haven't done any formal tests. I don't buy Pro lenses because to big and heavy, and unnecessary for 1280x1024 photos for web use. Olympus Pro lenses are especially overweight. I used and abused the Pan 12-32 for 3 years now, and it's still as good as new. Below are two old school tips and tricks. Trick 1: I put a Tiffen 37 to 46 step ring on the Pan 12-32. I added a little black fingernail polish to threads to keep step ring from ever coming loose. This way step ring stays in place when I (occasionally) want to remove (unscrew) my lens hood. Trick 2: I bought a 46mm thread collapsable rubber lens hood from BH Photo. It's for a normal (20mm to 30mm) lens. I purposely bought a normal lens hood, not a wide angle lens hood because a normal lens hood provides much more shade. From 14-32mm I shoot with hood fully extended. No vignetting occurs, also no flares, and better contrast and color. From 12-14mm I collapse the hood into its storage position. This still provides a some protection from flares (very appreciated at wide angle) while NOT causing any vignetting. Another advantage of the step ring is this lens now uses my same 46mm Heliopan linear polarizer, ND filters, and caps as the rest of my lenses. All my Oly primes and both of my Pan zooms (12-35, 35-100) have 46mm or smaller filter threads. Any that were smaller I stepped up to 46mm. So now all my lenses use 46mm filters and caps.
I have used this lens with my Lumix GX80 for street photography during the day and later on, in a cafe also, with good results for static photos. Inside a church by night for moving people (concert) for the photos it was not that easy, but the videos look great.
I just got this lens for an Olympus OM-D-M10 I bought 2nd hand. Another BONUS of this lens is the "manual" zoom as it gets to my zoom point faster and consumes less battery.
Nice little lens, got one for my GX9 and it makes it a versatile and compact walkabout. I agree with everything you say about its handling and performance. I picked one up new for £129 from an authorized dealer in UK.
They sell 37mm lens hoods on Amazon that thread in just like a filter, so if you buy a CPL filter with threads on the outer ring you can use a hood and CPL filter together! My 14mm f2.5 prime lens from Panasonic didn’t come with a hood so I was in the same boat!
This lens is nuts, it could work in low light too despite preceived a bit slow. The versatility is unparalleled I don't feel like getting prime for m43 And sharpness is great, it resolves 16 MP very well wide open. Flare resistance is meh, but it's enough, very enough for me.
I have this lens on my little Olympus Pen E-P5 and it is the perfect size. I am very happy with the performance of this lens. The images are very sharp if the lighting is good. I bought my lens used at a decent price and then found a Lumix G 37mm lens cap that works well.
Great little lens that you can get for $100 second hand. Dinner bother with a hood. But the auto cap for the Olympus 14-42ez works just fine on this little gem.
I have the silver version that has the metal mount. I also have the 12-45 f4 Pro from Olympus which undoubtedly has better quality but the differences are few in terms of image quality and the portability of the 12-32 is incomparable. The only thing I don't like about the 12-32 is that under bright lights it can generate some annoying flares.
I'm new to micro four-thirds and just bought this lens new ($132) for my Olympus E-PM1 (purchased used for less than $70). So far I'm impressed with the sharpness of the lens and I love the compactness, which is why I bought the Olympus in the first place. This will be my go-to camera and lens for travel and general photography. At some point I'll look for a faster prime lens, but the image stabilization in the camera and the lens means I don't need to be in. hurry to get a faster lens.
Hey Matti... I bought a 37mm-46mm filter step-up adapter and used a 46mm threaded hood... Perfect!!! The problem with using a 37mm hood directly with this lens is severe vignette that is overcome by using the step-up adapter...
I had this kit lens with my GX85 at a very good price £375 including the camera! It has been used in a wide variety of photo shoots including holidays and a wedding. I was in fact the main stills photographer and only used this lens but the results were very good and the bride and groom were very happy with the results especially as my services were free! It does have one down side and that is the low light capability which I now use a Lumix 25mm f1.7 for. This lens is also a bit sharper and gives me way better results in low light.
Thanks for your review. I just ordered the 12-32 for my 2011 Olympus Pen Mini 1. I wanted a small compact zoom for the little Pen Mini, thought I'd give this one a try...
A true masterpiece of a lens! Great for travel. Paired with by GH5s it is a robust light weight solution for all my travel videography and photography. It will be great if Panasonic release more lens of this caliber giving a bit more range in a pancake size with OIS!
I totally agree as I had the GM1 with this lens and sold it as it did not have the EVF. Well, I bought the GM5 and later had to buy the 12-32 used because it is so good relative to size and weight. This I can pocket any time, with my G9 even with smaller lenses I need a strap of some kind.
I own this lens and switch from the 14-42 Olympus zoom. I use it with an OLY E-PL9. The reasons for switching are, firstly wider field of view (12 and 14 make a difference) and secondly the sharpness, which is better, especially at wide end. You can find many 37mm lens hood on Amazon or eBay, which can help a little.
I found a used one in excellent shape for less than $100 USD. It is a great and fun little lens. What it does outdoors is great, low light is ok. For a budget lens it can do more and really pushes me to work on my technique and not rely totally on the lens and camera.
Quick update - Spent some time with this lens today and got a few great shots of ice drips off of a branch and leaves. This lens for it's price continues to amaze me. Though I just saw today prices are back up on this used little gem to between $150-$180 USD. Still a bargain if you can find one.
Don't know where I purchased it...if it came with the lens (bought second hand) or maybe I bought it separately on eBay...but I do have a LUMIX branded cap for this little lens. Also, a collapsible 37mm silicon lens hood fits the bill perfectly for this little lens. About USD10 on AliEx.
This is my most used lens. I have two. I keep one on my Olympus PM2 as my carry about camera. I keep another in my kit for my Pen F. At first I was worried about the dual IS with different brands but I can't find any problems with either lens. Its amazingly sharp and contrasty. I like it better than Oly's 14-42 which is also a pretty darn sharp kit lens. However, I ilke the handling and size of this lens and prefer the extension to 12 mm. I recommend the Lumix 25mm if you need to have just one fast prime in your kit.
Great review Matti. I got this as a kit lens with one of my m4/3 bodies. I haven't used it much, because I gravitate toward the 20mm f1.7 for street shooting. I agree with most of what you say about it. The biggest thing I dislike is that I have to extend it before using it. I also miss a manual focus ring.
This 12-32 mm kit lens is pretty good to take along for street or travel photography. The metal lens hood from 3rd party manufacturers fits but cut off on the edges esp. 12 mm. It's better not to use the lens hood.
I bought a kit of GX-80 and this lens to my friend as a birthday present. I was curious about this lens for some time, and when I found out that my M.Zuiko 12-42 EZ is probably damaged i was looking for a different backup lens. in the end i decided for Leica DG 12-60... Long story short i had an oportunity to compare 12-32 with Olympus PRO 12-40 and Lumix G X 35-100. The sharpness of this budget kit lens is exceptional, while bokeh - even when limited by speed - is very pleasant, and its almost impossible to tell the difference.
I am using this lens with Olympus OM-D E-M10 mk II. I got this lens as a good second-hand because some of the unused kit lenses were sold in the second-hand market. It is small, lightweight and easy to carry, ther is no reason not use this lens for snapshots.
This lens is absolutely stunning, I got it as the kit lens with my GX9 for an extra £99; what a bargain. I assumed it was rubbish till I tried it. I cant think of a better small zoom lens at any price. My other zoom is the 14-140mm for nature shots. Not interested in the other zooms as I am a prime lens user and this lens has to perform well above other zooms to be useable in my bag. Optically the images are as good as anything you will get from any zoom at any price; you are just restricted by focal length and aperture but, this lens has few glass elements which means it drips microtones and the images are so alive; not something you will get from a Pro zoom with more than 14 elements. I use this lens when I am travelling on a trip as it takes up no room in my handbag; I get my primes out of my luggage when i get there. It has never failed me. No it doesnt use lots of corrections. I dont use Adobe software so I dont get any of the Lumix corrections, my lenses have to stand up on their own and this doesnt disappoint. Apart from a small amount of barrell distortion at 12mm i never use corrections with this lens. This lens does need a lens hood as, at first, it was unusable as the front elementy kept getting covered by cold cream from my arm and fingers. The item you need is this one JJC LH-37EPII Metal Lens Hood for Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm ( www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M7WRB3S/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item ) and it looks stunning. I leave the hood, which is the classic metal Leica design, in place permanently and use a 58mm pinch cap over the end to protect in my bag. This protects the front element and looks like the collapsible Leica Summicron on my IIIg; it transforms this lens from plug ugly to looking stylish.This lens is now one of my main and favourite lenses and I cant praise it highly enough ;-) Image from my recent show "Dark Paths", done at the 12mm end that convinced me that this lens is special instagram.com/p/BjzjORkASfx/
I have this lens which came with my GM1 for more than 5 years. It has a metal mount. They only cost down the production in later years. So far, my copy works well and I have taken many nice photos eith it even in low light. Not an issue. Just rest it on a tabletop tripod. It is great for street photography on my GM1 making it looking like a point & shoot camera. I often get the shot as no one take me seriously. I would pair this lens with my 7artisans 25mm f/1.8 (manual focus and manual aperture) lens when I require shallow depth of field with my GM1. For the super wide angle I would pair it with the Laowa 7.5 f/2.0 manual lens. For the longer focal length, I will pair it with my Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens.
It's a quite excellent little lens, within its design limits. Be careful with the front outer casing though - mine slipped off, and had to be reglued. This is a common problem.
Love my 12-32. It is my only convenient 12. I bought it second hand do the price is right. On the Panasonic bodies, you can use a body dial to Manual Focus? I sometimes get blur or maybe jello shots but I think that is me quickly shooting in a quick draw, not using EVF. If I slow down and aim, hold the camera properly, it is Sharp. Visually I like the photos more compared to my Olympus FT 14-42 or Panasonic 14-42 which I don't enjoy.
I believe there areafter-market lens hoods available for 37mm. Most, I saw, were rubber fold down types. Don't know what's available in Helsinki but the sources here in the US were; B&H, Amazon, Panasonic and Ebay, as well as others.
I had this lens and was not excited - and I am quite experienced. I gifted it to a friend who is willing to borrow it back to me, so I might test it in comparison to the tiny 14-42 motor zoom from Olympus (very similar in size, but it has a focusing ring).
“This review is based on a long term use, not a loan.” Thank you
When I watch his reviews it's just feels like his a good person.
Thank you.
@@adamusamuel I agree with what you said! the world needs more people with the positive energy you 3 have 🙃
Thanks for this great review. You deserve a lot of credit for reviewing inexpensive equipment. Most serious reviewers will only review expensive kit.
Thanks. I think all kinds of equipment deserve a review.
I have a GX9 and this is my only lens. It's a first for me having just one body and one lens but it does everything I need it to with ease. If I do get another lens it would only be if I get into portraits or regular low light photography but as yet I'm very happy. We live in a great age where even kit lenses are fantastic!
I wonder how the stabilization is on this lens? Looks like a great little lens.
Do you still use it to this day?
This small lens is wonderful. I bought it for my summer trip to London with my son. With 14 - 140 on my G80 and the 12 - 32 in my pocket and no camera bag, I covered all my needs for city/street photos. The difference between 14mm and 12mm wide angle is important in a big city.
Thanks for your comment. The difference between 12mm and 14mm is actually quite a lot.
This is absolutely my preferred lens, I have a lot that I use depending on what kind of photo I want to make but in the street or when I travel around it's a must have with my gx80 and my gx9
I bought a second-hand Lumix GX8 together with the Lumix 12-32 quite cheaply and this combination has been my constant companion for street photography and landscape photography ever since. I am very satisfied with the little extra on the belt or in the backpack.
If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for the GX8?
@@BrawndoCorporation 425€ Togather in 2021
@@carstenheine602 Nice deal 👌
It is my go to lens with my GX85. I have used this lens many times and really enjoy it. I use my 14-140 lens when I need more zoom, but love my 12-32. Thanks for the review!
Thanks again😀 This zoom is really nice indeed.
I think the reason that kit lenses get a bad reputation can be summed up in one word - Canon! I moved from Canon to micro 4/3 and was really impressed with the value of this kit lens. I did get an Olympus 12 to 60, but still use this on my small camera body.
Thank you for making me feel good about my first 2 lens choices for my MFT camera!
Thanks! Glad you liked the video.
It's a great little lens, and for the tiny weight, extremely well made. Ideally it would be good to have a little more zoom at the zoom end but it is still good for most purposes. It will produce a reasonable amount of Bokeh for portraits if that's what you need, but you have to set the camera up very carefully to achieve it.
Get a fast prime for bokeh shots, great complement with this variable focal length lens.
Yes! Although I'm mainly a Olympus shooter but I'm completely in love with both the 12-32 and the 30-100 with a similar design. Both are surprisingly sharp!
Thanks for your comment.
I can confirm this on the 30-100, an underrated lens that should get more attention.
I remember this videos and I'm pretty sure that I liked, some years later it shows on my timeline suggestions to watch and it's not marked as already liked, even not subscribed to channel anymore.
I'm using the same account for the last 10 years.
You're right is a gem, simply cute and very beautifull contrast on my Lumix G100, i use Leica lenses and this 12-32 are very good !
Couldn't agree more!
I had this lens with my favourite Lumix, my GM5. I was great, but I replaced it with a 14-42 which with hindsight was a poor replacement. Now I use the tiny 12-32 and I am happy !
Thanks for sharing.
The 14-45mm is a very nice lens though not as small as the 12-32mm. I think people with all the 14-42mm lenses around forget about this lens which is very cheap secondhand and better I think than the kit Olympus 14-42 lenses though I cannot say as to the Panasonic ones. I wonder if production standards were higher and cost factors less of an issue when this original 14-45mm kit lens was produced. The 14-45mm just seems to pop in a way that really makes me really like it. It is Mega OIS which is noticeably inferior to the new Power OIS which does not need the marketing name fillip and IBIS does a better job on Olympus bodies.
I'm having loads of fun with this lens!
Amazing shots! They really show its not the lens but the photographer which counts!
A very good overview of a great little lens. I owned one with a GM1 and sold both (what a fool...!), and missed it as a tiny lens to have on any Lumix. Happily, they are are amazing value secondhand, so picked up another one from a dealer (inc warranty) for just £94, and its the 'better' metal mount version too.
The sharpness is great, the zoom range really useful, and coupled with a Lumix 42.5mm f1.7, you've got a lens combo' outfit so small and light, you'll hardly know you've got them. Buy one!
I absolutely love this lens especially for video! Super sharp and stabilized.
Step up and step down rings are very handy for standardising hoods and filters. Use them a lot without vignetting✌️
It's very much as you said at 9:28. You can get great photos on cheaper or kit lenses, and nobody would ever "accuse" the image of being taken with a lowly kit lens!
Thanks.
Just started my photography/filmmaking journey with a G85 this week, and I love your vids!
That is awesome! Thank you!
Thanks for your video! I have this lens, I made videos and photos too, I usually film since it focuses fast and automatic, it is only simple and great. I love the simple
Re-watched your review, so I decided to try this lens again with my gx85. I've been shooting almost exclusively at 12mm out on the street with good results. I think you are right. There is a place for this tiny lens.
Thanks. It is a great little lens.
I have tested quite a few lenses for use in infrared photography. The biggest problem is finding a lens that doesn’t have an IR hot spot. This is the second best lens I have found and the most practical.
Thanks for that. I'm sure that is valuable info for IR shooters.
Interesting...,
And the best lens for that iR thing?
I have used this lens on the minuscule G100 with great success both in stills and video. This lens + the G100 makes for a superb street photography combination.
Thanks for sharing!
big fan of small lenses like that
Luv that lens came with my gx85 that I bought this year. Very nice for all day use.
Thanks for your comment.
Hello Matti I have this lens and use it on my GX9 it's brilliant for street photography and the GX9 with its tilt screen is a very discreet setup
Thanks for sharing. It sure is a discreet setup.
Lovely lens, I got it with my GX80 camera and it’s really amazing to see the quality of the photos I’m taking with it.
This lens is such a surprise. I didn’t even bother using it at first because I figured it would be mediocre but this is a seriously good lens and makes the smaller camera bodies into a pocket monsters.
It really is a gem.
Hi, I like this little Zoom because of its little measures and weight because that means I will take it with me! I combine it often with the 20mm/1,7 . As Lenshood I use a stepup ring 37-46mm and then a little wideangle metalhood. So I can use 46mm Filters on it and protect the lens a bit.Most time I use the GM1 with a modificated handgrip with a wooden grip. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for sharing!
I prefer the 12-42mm from Panasonic, it has stabilization and focus ring. It's almost the same size as this one and the mount is made of metal.
I should be hunting one for myself too. Such a tiny and compact lens!
Could not have done a better review for this lens myself, love your sample images in this review! I like how the skies are deep blue in some of your photos. Malaysian skies can be blue but never that deep in blue.
Hi Robin! Love your videos! This lens will be so sexy on my incoming Lumix GM1. I found the GM1 on eBay yesterday. Good price and in what appears to be mint condition. It had lived its entire life in a sturdy (old fashion) leather case. So nice looking. Greetings from Sweden!!!
@@rudolfabelin383 the GM1 was one camera that I regretted selling. Thanks for the kind words!
Thanks, Robin. Come over here and shoot some blue skies with me and Peter😀
Great channel and reviews. Thank you!
Thank you.
I love it. Little and very good
I have this lens, It came with my GX800 and it's perfect to travel light. In fact in my last family travel I took this camera setup plus the 20mm f1.7 and I ended pretty happy with the results. I'm looking to add a 35-100 f3.5-5.6 to my bag for this kind of light setup just in case I need the long range. And just for context I own the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8, it's an awesome lens, relatively compact and light, and a much better lens overall than the 12-32, but in many situations I don't really need it, and the GX800 with the 12-32 is more than enough.
I know what you saying. I use the GX880 and the 12-32mm a lot.
Just for those m43 shooters who don't own this lens already and are OK with the slightly slower apertures (f3.5-5.6) ... my older, black copy (metal lens mount) is a gem of a small all-day lens that on my E-M1s renders just beautifully and delivers about equally sharp images right into the extreme corners throughout the FL range like any of my prime lenses, hats off to Pana for this one.
Just Super ! for me ,Love-it, ,Thanks for the review, and explenations,
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for another excellent review!
My pleasure! Thank you.
Thanks for this video! It is nice to have a video on a lens that does not cost and arm and a leg. I have this lens and I use it mostly on holiday. It is a practical lens due to the size and weight. F3.5 at 12mm is ok, especially with Dual IS (GX80!) for low light shots. I agree that 32mm at the Tele end is a little bit limiting but... It has a sibling, the 35-100mm f4-5.6 lens. It is also very small (twice the length of the 12-32 closed) and gives great results, one day please do a video on that lens. For enthusiasts there are good alternative to the pro gear.
Thanks for your comment. I have to think about the 35-100mm too.
You can buy 37mm step up rings. These allow you to fit filters and lens hoods. I got a 37-52mm which allows me to use the same lens hood and filters for the 12-32 and my 45-150 lens.
I to have owned this lens for five years and out of my 5 lenses it's the one I use most often. The pictures are always sharp as in focus. My camera is a Lumix GX7 so I have double stabilization.
But isn't this lens not stabilized? I think you need to have a stabilized lens to use double stabilization. I'm looking into this one too.
To answer my own question, I did notice MEGA O.I.S on the lens near the end of the video. But B&H website didn't show that in their G85 bundle.
@@rayl.7760 The full name of the lens is Panasonic 12-32 mm/F 3.5-5.6 LUMIX G VARIO MEGA OIS ASPH(H-FS12032) 12 mm Lens Maga OIS is the Lumix name for stabilisation. In my case my camera also offers stability so I have something double stable. In the video he speaks about taking a long exposure hand held and it works well. I hope that helps.
@@BoyanLove not trying come at you, simply informing, so you can understand your camera a little better.
My friend, unfortunately the gx7 doesnt have the dual IS feature, yes the body has a stabilized sensor (2 axis system), and yes the lens has OIS.
When a Panasonic Lumix lens, with Stabilization is placed on the gx7, the Lens Stabilization will be active, and the IBIS will deactivated (automatic), as the lens Stabilization is more effective then this old style IBIS on the GX7.
On Pansonic lenses, where there is an On/off switch, if you have the switch to off, the IBIS will then be active on the gx7.
All Olympus, and Pansonic lenses without Stabilization will have active IBIS on the gx7.
On the GX8 (4 axis), they introduced the dual IS function for still photography only.
On gx85, g85 generation ( 5 axis IBIS, current sytem) Panasonic added the capability of the dual IS feature in video.
The smaller lines gx850, gf10, do not have stabilization and will use lens OIS when applicable.
That being said if you ever want to upgrade from the gx7, and love the handling, the gx85 is the best natural upgrade, slightly smaller grip, and the EVF doesnt tilt, but you gain crazy improved stabilization, if you think you had DUAL IS on your gx7 (which you dont), you wont believe a camera that actually does! They also removed the AA filter, which sharpened the images a bit more, and the video quality has come a long way. The microphones aren't very good, not sure why?..
Can be had for 350 open box on ebay, and will come with a second copy of this lens for ya, plus a 45-150!
This is very interesting. I don't know if it's a regional thing or what exactly is going on, but I have this lens in silver - it's nine years old now. This lens can be prone to barrel separation when the glue in the front barrel dries up. This happened to mine and I had to take it apart and re-glue it (!). What was interesting to discover though was that the entire shell was, in fact, made of a very fine aluminium with a poly-carbonate core . Also, mine has a metal bayonet connector - go figure. I am in the UK - and mine came as a kit lens so perhaps the metal construction has something to do with that. All I can say is, I was kind of happy it fell apart in the end. It's a great little lens. It's great to know it comes in a metal guise as well - even if that doesn't stop it falling apart!😄
It seems there are at least two versions of the lens. One with a plastic mount and one with a metal mount.
Same here, I also have metal mount on 12-32mm lens. It came with Lumix GM1 👌
I own this lens and i love it. Now i just have to learn to use it.
Thanks for the information re the lens hood for that lens
Just ordered it, the lens i have I have gave me vignetting at the wide end of the lens .
Using this lens most of the time except in poor light, as a retired professional photographer I find the m4/3 system so light and fast in comparison to full frame DSLRs
Thanks again for the info
Thanks for your comment.
Most kit lenses should be like this!
This is my GX9 kit lens. And I found 3rd party metal vented hood for it. Its very handy lens and easy to use.
Thanks for sharing.
Nice! Would you care to share e where you got it?
@@DerVagabundli put this in ebay JJC LH-37EPII Metal Lens Hood Shade for Panasonic Lumix G Vario, by the way a 62mm pinch cap fits inside
@@ronaldembree3932 thanks!
@@DerVagabundli Sure... I bought it at online store here in Indonesia. I'll give you the link. But I'm not sure how they can manage shipping abroad in this chalanging situation.
Beli Metal Lens Hood 37 Vented - 37mm Black
tokopedia.link/VqxQFNGL26 di toko Relics Store Rp47.500 di Tokopedia dengan Bebas Ongkir, Sekarang! Dapatkan cashback 50% hingga 30Rb untuk pembelian pertama kamu dengan kode: TPMELIFC0B. Belanja? Tokopedia Saja!
I love using the Panasonic 12-32 on my Olympus EM10 Mark II for general hobbyist photos and for my professional photography (commercial, architectural, landscape; and parties and events).
All my work is published online at 1280x1024.
This lens easily does pro quality work for viewing photos on websites at 1280x1024 for subjects that require (or tolerate) high depth of field. For stationary subjects it works well handheld indoors and outdoors in daytime (sunny or cloudy). For moving subjects it does well outdoors (sunny to moderately cloudy).
I shoot all architecture and landscapes at F5.6. For other commercial subjects, and people, events, parties (usually outdoors in daylight, but sometimes indoors) I use F4 to 5.6, depending on lighting, amount of motion, desired DOF, and focal length). I get excellent results.
If there is insufficient light (dim indoors with motion), or if I need less DOF, then I switch to an Olympus F1.8 prime lens (usually 17mm or 25mm) or Sigma 30mm F1.4.
The Olympus 14-40 is the only Olympus zoom lens I own. I rarely use the Oly 14-40 because it's zoom range is less useful to me, and it's a very flimsy lens. I don't trust it. Its lock button broke the first time I used it. It's sharpness seems fine, bit I feel the Pan 12-32 may be sharper. I said "feel" because I haven't done any formal tests.
I don't buy Pro lenses because to big and heavy, and unnecessary for 1280x1024 photos for web use. Olympus Pro lenses are especially overweight.
I used and abused the Pan 12-32 for 3 years now, and it's still as good as new.
Below are two old school tips and tricks.
Trick 1: I put a Tiffen 37 to 46 step ring on the Pan 12-32. I added a little black fingernail polish to threads to keep step ring from ever coming loose. This way step ring stays in place when I (occasionally) want to remove (unscrew) my lens hood.
Trick 2: I bought a 46mm thread collapsable rubber lens hood from BH Photo. It's for a normal (20mm to 30mm) lens. I purposely bought a normal lens hood, not a wide angle lens hood because a normal lens hood provides much more shade.
From 14-32mm I shoot with hood fully extended. No vignetting occurs, also no flares, and better contrast and color.
From 12-14mm I collapse the hood into its storage position. This still provides a some protection from flares (very appreciated at wide angle) while NOT causing any vignetting.
Another advantage of the step ring is this lens now uses my same 46mm Heliopan linear polarizer, ND filters, and caps as the rest of my lenses.
All my Oly primes and both of my Pan zooms (12-35, 35-100) have 46mm or smaller filter threads. Any that were smaller I stepped up to 46mm. So now all my lenses use 46mm filters and caps.
Thanks for than very extensive comment.
I have used this lens with my Lumix GX80 for street photography during the day and later on, in a cafe also, with good results for static photos. Inside a church by night for moving people (concert) for the photos it was not that easy, but the videos look great.
I just got this lens for an Olympus OM-D-M10 I bought 2nd hand. Another BONUS of this lens is the "manual" zoom as it gets to my zoom point faster and consumes less battery.
Manual zoom is good.
could you focus manualy from menu to infinity with this lens? Thanks
Nice little lens, got one for my GX9 and it makes it a versatile and compact walkabout. I agree with everything you say about its handling and performance. I picked one up new for £129 from an authorized dealer in UK.
Thanks. It’s an amazing lens indeed😀
They sell 37mm lens hoods on Amazon that thread in just like a filter, so if you buy a CPL filter with threads on the outer ring you can use a hood and CPL filter together! My 14mm f2.5 prime lens from Panasonic didn’t come with a hood so I was in the same boat!
This lens is nuts, it could work in low light too despite preceived a bit slow. The versatility is unparalleled I don't feel like getting prime for m43
And sharpness is great, it resolves 16 MP very well wide open. Flare resistance is meh, but it's enough, very enough for me.
I have this lens on my little Olympus Pen E-P5 and it is the perfect size. I am very happy with the performance of this lens. The images are very sharp if the lighting is good. I bought my lens used at a decent price and then found a Lumix G 37mm lens cap that works well.
Thanks for sharing
0:11 lol nice montage.
Great little lens that you can get for $100 second hand. Dinner bother with a hood. But the auto cap for the Olympus 14-42ez works just fine on this little gem.
Thanks for commenting. The lens cap tip is great.
I’ll second the recommendation of the Olympus auto cap. Some people report vignetting, but I don’t have that problem.
I have the silver version that has the metal mount. I also have the 12-45 f4 Pro from Olympus which undoubtedly has better quality but the differences are few in terms of image quality and the portability of the 12-32 is incomparable. The only thing I don't like about the 12-32 is that under bright lights it can generate some annoying flares.
I'm new to micro four-thirds and just bought this lens new ($132) for my Olympus E-PM1 (purchased used for less than $70). So far I'm impressed with the sharpness of the lens and I love the compactness, which is why I bought the Olympus in the first place. This will be my go-to camera and lens for travel and general photography. At some point I'll look for a faster prime lens, but the image stabilization in the camera and the lens means I don't need to be in. hurry to get a faster lens.
Thanks for sharing. That little lens is very good indeed.
Hey Matti... I bought a 37mm-46mm filter step-up adapter and used a 46mm threaded hood... Perfect!!! The problem with using a 37mm hood directly with this lens is severe vignette that is overcome by using the step-up adapter...
Thanks! Sounds like a good solution.
excelente revisión!
I had this kit lens with my GX85 at a very good price £375 including the camera! It has been used in a wide variety of photo shoots including holidays and a wedding. I was in fact the main stills photographer and only used this lens but the results were very good and the bride and groom were very happy with the results especially as my services were free! It does have one down side and that is the low light capability which I now use a Lumix 25mm f1.7 for. This lens is also a bit sharper and gives me way better results in low light.
Thanks for your comment. The 25mm is definitely better in low light.
Thanks for your review. I just ordered the 12-32 for my 2011 Olympus Pen Mini 1. I wanted a small compact zoom for the little Pen Mini, thought I'd give this one a try...
Thanks! I hope you'll be happy with the zoom.
A 37mm metal lenshood is available from 3rd parties thru' Lazada for a few dollars in Black or Silver!
A true masterpiece of a lens! Great for travel. Paired with by GH5s it is a robust light weight solution for all my travel videography and photography. It will be great if Panasonic release more lens of this caliber giving a bit more range in a pancake size with OIS!
Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a perfect street photography lens... want a little zoom on the street, but not too much. Set it at AP f/8 and go!
It's exactly that.
Btw really nice photos in review
Thanks.
It works very nicely with the Pen F. I found a brand new plastic mount version for around half the price you quoted, presumably from a Lumix kit.
Thanks for your comment.
Agree - and it works great on my Olympus E-PL7
On my Lumix GX880. I love this light little lens, but I often pick the Lumix 25mm 1.7 instead (with the 35-100 a great combo imho).
The 25mm is another great value lens.
this is my standart for G9 💪👍
I totally agree as I had the GM1 with this lens and sold it as it did not have the EVF. Well, I bought the GM5 and later had to buy the 12-32 used because it is so good relative to size and weight. This I can pocket any time, with my G9 even with smaller lenses I need a strap of some kind.
Thanks, Tapsa.
I own this lens and switch from the 14-42 Olympus zoom. I use it with an OLY E-PL9. The reasons for switching are, firstly wider field of view (12 and 14 make a difference) and secondly the sharpness, which is better, especially at wide end. You can find many 37mm lens hood on Amazon or eBay, which can help a little.
Thanks for your input. I'll have to search Amazon and eBay.
The focus is manual. Thanks with this information.
If this lease had a manual focusing ring it would be perfect for gimbal use
8:30 Used off eBay you can get this for a price that makes a lot more sense.
Of course.
I found a used one in excellent shape for less than $100 USD. It is a great and fun little lens. What it does outdoors is great, low light is ok. For a budget lens it can do more and really pushes me to work on my technique and not rely totally on the lens and camera.
That sounds really awesome.
Quick update - Spent some time with this lens today and got a few great shots of ice drips off of a branch and leaves. This lens for it's price continues to amaze me. Though I just saw today prices are back up on this used little gem to between $150-$180 USD. Still a bargain if you can find one.
I recently got a GX85 that came with the 12-32 and 45-150 lenses. I need desperately to learn how to use it better.
Very useful video, thanks!!!!
Thanks!
Great Review, thx
Thanks for watching!
Don't know where I purchased it...if it came with the lens (bought second hand) or maybe I bought it separately on eBay...but I do have a LUMIX branded cap for this little lens.
Also, a collapsible 37mm silicon lens hood fits the bill perfectly for this little lens. About USD10 on AliEx.
i LOVE this lens. your phot of the train station is great, been there many times. It's not good at tele. great for video also
This is my most used lens. I have two. I keep one on my Olympus PM2 as my carry about camera. I keep another in my kit for my Pen F. At first I was worried about the dual IS with different brands but I can't find any problems with either lens. Its amazingly sharp and contrasty. I like it better than Oly's 14-42 which is also a pretty darn sharp kit lens. However, I ilke the handling and size of this lens and prefer the extension to 12 mm. I recommend the Lumix 25mm if you need to have just one fast prime in your kit.
Thanks for sharing.
Its sharp on the bmpcc as well
I love mine but have now got the 12-60 G because I like to manual focus.
Good and easy explanation - I like your Finnish accent and your hands
Thanks!
Great review Matti. I got this as a kit lens with one of my m4/3 bodies. I haven't used it much, because I gravitate toward the 20mm f1.7 for street shooting. I agree with most of what you say about it. The biggest thing I dislike is that I have to extend it before using it. I also miss a manual focus ring.
Thanks. It's a budget lens and not perfect, but still very good.
I just found this lens for under $100 US and it is excellent condition. Well worth the price.
Congrats on your new lens!
This 12-32 mm kit lens is pretty good to take along for street or travel photography. The metal lens hood from 3rd party manufacturers fits but cut off on the edges esp. 12 mm. It's better not to use the lens hood.
I bought a kit of GX-80 and this lens to my friend as a birthday present.
I was curious about this lens for some time, and when I found out that my M.Zuiko 12-42 EZ is probably damaged i was looking for a different backup lens. in the end i decided for Leica DG 12-60... Long story short i had an oportunity to compare 12-32 with Olympus PRO 12-40 and Lumix G X 35-100.
The sharpness of this budget kit lens is exceptional, while bokeh - even when limited by speed - is very pleasant, and its almost impossible to tell the difference.
Thanks for sharing.
You can just get a 37mm hood. Although I'm unsure if there's one with the petal/tulip design.
I am using this lens with Olympus OM-D E-M10 mk II. I got this lens as a good second-hand because some of the unused kit lenses were sold in the second-hand market.
It is small, lightweight and easy to carry, ther is no reason not use this lens for snapshots.
This lens is absolutely stunning, I got it as the kit lens with my GX9 for an extra £99; what a bargain. I assumed it was rubbish till I tried it. I cant think of a better small zoom lens at any price. My other zoom is the 14-140mm for nature shots. Not interested in the other zooms as I am a prime lens user and this lens has to perform well above other zooms to be useable in my bag. Optically the images are as good as anything you will get from any zoom at any price; you are just restricted by focal length and aperture but, this lens has few glass elements which means it drips microtones and the images are so alive; not something you will get from a Pro zoom with more than 14 elements. I use this lens when I am travelling on a trip as it takes up no room in my handbag; I get my primes out of my luggage when i get there. It has never failed me. No it doesnt use lots of corrections. I dont use Adobe software so I dont get any of the Lumix corrections, my lenses have to stand up on their own and this doesnt disappoint. Apart from a small amount of barrell distortion at 12mm i never use corrections with this lens. This lens does need a lens hood as, at first, it was unusable as the front elementy kept getting covered by cold cream from my arm and fingers. The item you need is this one JJC LH-37EPII Metal Lens Hood for Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm ( www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M7WRB3S/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item ) and it looks stunning. I leave the hood, which is the classic metal Leica design, in place permanently and use a 58mm pinch cap over the end to protect in my bag. This protects the front element and looks like the collapsible Leica Summicron on my IIIg; it transforms this lens from plug ugly to looking stylish.This lens is now one of my main and favourite lenses and I cant praise it highly enough ;-)
Image from my recent show "Dark Paths", done at the 12mm end that convinced me that this lens is special instagram.com/p/BjzjORkASfx/
Thanks for your comment and the hood tip.
I have this lens which came with my GM1 for more than 5 years. It has a metal mount. They only cost down the production in later years. So far, my copy works well and I have taken many nice photos eith it even in low light. Not an issue. Just rest it on a tabletop tripod. It is great for street photography on my GM1 making it looking like a point & shoot camera. I often get the shot as no one take me seriously.
I would pair this lens with my 7artisans 25mm f/1.8 (manual focus and manual aperture) lens when I require shallow depth of field with my GM1. For the super wide angle I would pair it with the Laowa 7.5 f/2.0 manual lens. For the longer focal length, I will pair it with my Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens.
Thanks for sharing!
It's a quite excellent little lens, within its design limits. Be careful with the front outer casing though - mine slipped off, and had to be reglued. This is a common problem.
Thanks for sharing, I've never heard of that problem.
Does your lens has metal or plastic mount?
@@ariunboldgaram-ayush8914 Metal.
@@timauger That makes sense. Latest batch of lenses with plastic mount fixed that issue
I got it today whith the GM1, thanks for your advice. It comes whith a 35-100mm for 150 U$ i`m happy.
Great to hear!
Love my 12-32. It is my only convenient 12. I bought it second hand do the price is right. On the Panasonic bodies, you can use a body dial to Manual Focus? I sometimes get blur or maybe jello shots but I think that is me quickly shooting in a quick draw, not using EVF. If I slow down and aim, hold the camera properly, it is Sharp. Visually I like the photos more compared to my Olympus FT 14-42 or Panasonic 14-42 which I don't enjoy.
Thanks, Ananda. You can use the touch screen to focus manually.
I believe there areafter-market lens hoods available for 37mm. Most, I saw, were rubber fold down types. Don't know what's available in Helsinki but the sources here in the US were; B&H, Amazon, Panasonic and Ebay, as well as others.
Thanks. Yes, of course. I forgot about those rubber things😀
maybe you can 3d print the hood.... idk, just an idea, great info by the way... thanks
Thanks for the tip!
I had this lens and was not excited - and I am quite experienced. I gifted it to a friend who is willing to borrow it back to me, so I might test it in comparison to the tiny 14-42 motor zoom from Olympus (very similar in size, but it has a focusing ring).
Let me know how your comparison turned out.
I bought it together with the GM1 (very, very tiny) and the results blow my Nikon aps-c with a kit lens away.
Thanks for commenting.
I bought mine to use with my GX1.... then with my GM1.... and now with my GX80!