Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 12mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 12mm
This compact wide-angle lens is praised for its sharpness, especially in astrophotography and low-light conditions. Users love its small size and metal build, though some note a rough mounting mechanism. Overall, it delivers excellent image quality for its class.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent sharpness
- Great for astrophotography
- Metal build quality
- Good micro contrast
Cons
- Rough mounting mechanism
- Not a daily lens for everyone
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 12mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 12 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 11 | — |
| Groups | 8 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | ZERO Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon F |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.13 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 46 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | MSC | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 200 mm★ | 380 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.08x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 12mm
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (75th percentile)
- Strong optical (69th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average macro (32nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.