<p>We've just published our Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 lens review over on SLRgear, and by all counts, this lens is an excellent chunk of glass. Yet-to-be released, this bright, fast zoom lens was introduced alongside the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and is part of the company's new "Zuiko PRO" line of professional-grade Micro Four Thirds lenses. The optic's 12-40mm focal range translates to a 24-80mm field of view in 35mm terms, and with a constant f/2.8 aperture, it's very versatile and works great in low-light settings. The lens is also rugged, with splash-, dust- and freeze-proof construction, which makes it a great match with the equally-rugged E-M1.</p><p>By our tests, the new Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 delivers some very impressive results, particularly in terms of sharpness and distortion. Handling and build quality is fantastic as well. The lens features an all-metal construction that feels solid. While it's larger than your typical Micro Four Thirds lens, it's still much more compact than most full-size 24-70mm f/2.8 zooms geared for DSLRs. Nonetheless, it's still a lightweight, balanced lens that pairs nicely with both the larger Olympus E-M1 as well as with smaller bodies such as the Panasonic GX1 we use in our test lab.</p><p>Olympus clearly is trying to capture some of the professional market with its new E-M1 and a corresponding professional series of lenses. The typical 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are a favorite among photojournalists, for instance, and the relatively small size of the Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 lens should be a big draw for these users -- as well as other photographers who are constantly on the go, shoot in harsh environments or simply need a rugged, fast zoom lens in a small package. With this glass, Olympus has shown that it can make a lens with the optical quality as well as build quality that such users demand, and professional and enthusiast shooters should take note.</p><p>Jump on over to SLRgear to read our full Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 M.Zuiko PRO lens review, and see all of our detailed test results.</p><p><a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2013/11/01/olympus-12-40mm-f-2.8-lens-review-rugged-super-sharp-zoom-perfect-for-pros">Keep reading...</a></p>