ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD

Product Outline

The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD is a high-performance standard zoom lens that features for the first time the SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) autofocusing system and covers a zoom range equivalent to 24 to 120 mm on a 35 mm camera lens. Special optical glass elements are used to correct various types of aberrations, while the digital-dedicated design ensures high-definition performance with clear, crisp images from edge to edge. This lens also boasts impressive close-up shooting capability, allowing users to shoot from as close as 25 cm throughout the zoom range.

Autofocusing is powered by Olympus's breakthrough SWD. Developed as the world's fastest AF system, this extraordinary autofocusing drive provides both high speed and high precision while operating with lower noise than ever. Optimized for use with the concurrently released E-3 camera, this lens enables the E-3 to demonstrate the full power of its high-speed capability, providing the fastest autofocusing available in the world*1 using a standard zoom lens.

Main Features

1. SWD for ultra-fast autofocusing
The newly developed Olympus-original SWD has made possible an ultra-fast, whisper-quiet, high-precision AF system. Two compact, high-power supersonic wave drive devices drive autofocusing at an ultra-high speed by exciting unique elliptical oscillations, while an ultra-compact optical encoder detects and controls the lens drive position using direct rotation detection without a reduction gear, enabling extraordinary 1/1000 mm-order precision.

When used in combination with the new E-3, which features improved AF computation and lens-body communication rates, the SWD makes possible the fastest autofocusing in the world*1.

*1 Among Standard-class interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras. Measurement with E-3 at a focal length of 60mm (120mm: 35mm equivalent). based on our in-house measuring standard. (As of Oct. 17, 2007, surveyed by Olympus).

2. High-performance 5x standard zoom lens with a zoom range equivalent to 24-120 mm
The Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens element and three ED lense elements effectively correct the chromatic aberration produced by magnification on the wide-angle side and axial chromatic aberration on the telescopic side, while the asphericity of the lenses provides compatibility between size reduction and high picture quality. The digital-dedicated design ensures high imaging performance with one-step higher sharpness and contrast throughout the zoom range, while the lens coating is optimized to reduce glare when shooting against the light and to minimize ghosts and flare. Wide angle capability equivalent to 24 mm on a 35 mm camera lens makes possible dynamic, wide-perspective landscape photography.

3. Close-up shooting from as close as 25 cm throughout the zoom range
The focusing system uses floating and inner focusing mechanisms to provide a minimum shooting distance of 25 cm throughout the zoom range. This dramatically enhances perspective at the wide-angle end and close-ups of main subject at the telescopic end. With a maximum shooting magnification of 0.28x (equivalent to 0.56x on a 35 mm camera lens), this lens out-performs any other in its class (large-aperture zoom lenses with wide-angle coverage).

Other Features

* Mechanically interlocked manual focusing mechanism
Mechanical interlocking of the manual focusing mechanism allows smooth, natural manual focusing with an extremely high level of precision. Seamless switching from AF to MF is possible at any time thanks to the Full-Time Manual Focusing function,

* Circular aperture mechanism
The circular aperture makes it possible to create a smooth, uniform, aesthetically pleasing blur.

* Mechanically interlocked manual focusing mechanism
To support photography in the extreme conditions often faced by professionals, the external finish is sealed at multiple points for maximum protection from dust and spray.

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