Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
Panasonic

LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.

$399~
MSRP (prices vary)
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Released: March 24, 2016
12-60mm
Focal Length
f/3.5
Max Aperture
Micro Four Thirds
Coverage
Stabilized
210g
Weight
58mm
Filter

Who the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. is for

The Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. is a Micro Four Thirds 12-60mm f/3.5 standard zoom.

Best for

  • Handheld stills and video — optical stabilisation smooths shake.

How the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. compares to other Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds standard lenses

Every figure below is measured against the 22 Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds standard lenses in the catalogue, so you can see where this lens actually sits rather than reading its spec sheet in isolation.

SpecThis lensWhere it lands
Weight210g (7.4 oz)11th heaviest of 22
Price (MSRP)$399joint 10th cheapest of 22
Maximum aperturef/3.5joint 7th narrowest of 22

What 12-60mm at f/3.5 actually gives you

12-60mm is wide enough to take in interiors, landscapes and architecture without the pronounced edge stretching of an ultra-wide. On the Micro Four Thirds bodies it covers, it frames like 24mm would on full-frame.

f/3.5 is a moderate maximum aperture. There is less low-light headroom and less background blur than an f/2.8 lens gives, which is generally the trade for lower weight and cost.

Size, close focus and filters

At 210g (7.4 oz) it is light enough that it stops being a decision — the kind of lens that stays on the body or in the bag without thought.

Maximum magnification is 0.3x, enough for close-up work on flowers or detail shots without reaching genuine macro reproduction. It focuses as close as 20cm.

Filters are 58mm — worth checking against what you already own, since polarisers and ND filters at this size are reusable across any other lens sharing the thread.

Autofocus and stabilisation

Autofocus is driven by a Stepping motor.

Optical stabilisation is built in, which stacks with in-body stabilisation on bodies that have it and does the work alone on bodies that do not.

Full Specifications

Optical Design

Focal Length12-60mm
Lens TypeZoom
Optical Elements14
Optical Groups12

Aperture & Iris

Maximum Aperturef/3.5
Minimum Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades7
Rounded ApertureNo

Coverage & Angle

Format CoverageMicro Four Thirds
Lens MountMicro Four Thirds
Angle of View84° – 20°
35mm Equivalent24-120mm

Focus

AutofocusYes
Focus MotorStepping
Focus LimiterNo
AF/MF SwitchNo
Min Focus Distance20 cm
Max Magnification0.3x

Stabilization & Video

Optical StabilizationYes
Aperture RingNo
Declickable ApertureNo
ParfocalNo
Internal ZoomNo

General

Price (MSRP)$399
Filter Size58mm
Diameter63mm
Length71mm
Weight210g (7.4 oz)
Weather SealedNo
Tripod CollarNo

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