Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 OIS

This Panasonic zoom spans 12-60mm on Micro Four Thirds, running from wide angle to short telephoto. That range suits photographers who want one lens for a varied day. At 12mm it handles interiors, streets and landscapes. At 60mm it tightens on portraits and distant details. Travel, family days and street photography all fit that span.

The main trade-off is the maximum aperture, which starts at f/2.8 and falls to f/4 as you zoom. The telephoto end therefore passes less light. Covering wide angle to short telephoto in one lens means fewer changes, which helps keep dust out of the camera outdoors. Sealing and stabilisation also support outdoor and handheld use, as covered below.

It weighs 11.3 oz (320 g) and runs 3.39 in (86 mm) long, with a 2.69 in (68.4 mm) body. That size stays manageable on a compact body through a long day. A screw-in filter must match the 62mm front thread.

The maximum aperture is the key optical decision. At 12mm the lens opens to f/2.8, admitting more light for dim interiors and evening streets. Toward 60mm the limit falls to f/4, one stop less light. Indoor telephoto shots then need a slower shutter speed or a higher ISO. Manual settings chosen at 12mm can leave zoomed indoor frames dark.

Wide open at f/2.8, close subjects gain a little separation from their background. Depth of field stays fairly deep on the Micro Four Thirds format, so blur remains moderate rather than dramatic. Nine blades shape the aperture opening. For the brightest setting, stay near 12mm and step closer to your subject.

Closest focusing is 0.7 ft (20 cm), so you can photograph food, flowers and market goods without stepping back. That close distance suits detail shots on a travel day, where space is often tight. Maximum magnification is 0.3x, so small subjects still reach a useful size in the frame. Its optics score is 66 out of 100.

Optical image stabilisation is built in. It helps counter camera shake, so handheld pictures can stay sharp at slower shutter speeds. The benefit shows most at the 60mm end and in dim rooms, where shutter speeds would otherwise drop. The steadier view also helps when recording handheld video.

Weather sealing guards against dust and moisture, so light rain and dusty paths become less of a worry on long outdoor days. Paired with a sealed camera body, it suits changeable weather while travelling.

There is no fluorine coating on the front element, and there is no zoom lock on the barrel.

The optical formula uses 14 elements in 12 groups, including four aspherical elements. Their specially shaped surfaces help correct distortion, which otherwise curves straight edges in interior walls and building lines. Two low-dispersion elements help reduce chromatic aberration, the coloured fringes that can appear along high-contrast edges such as branches against a bright sky.

Focusing is internal, so the barrel does not extend while focus changes.