Center Valley, Pa. –
on Wednesday introduced a Digital ED M.Zuiko 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ electronic
motorized zoom lens to its growing arsenal for the PEN Micro-Four-Thirds compact
system camera family.
The new lens, which will ship in mid January with a $500
suggested retail, has a focal range equivalent of 24-100mm in the 35mm format.
It has a zoom ratio of approximately 4.2x, allowing photographers
to capture anything from detailed, wide-angle group shots to medium
telephoto-range images for portrait work.
Electronic zoom speed can be controlled by turning the barrel
slowly for dramatic effect, quickly for performance, or at an intermediate
rate.
Manual zooming is also available.
In macro mode, which can be set by pushing the zoom ring forward
while depressing the macro button on the side of the lens, focusing is possible
between 8 and 20 inches for close-up shooting with a maximum image
magnification of 0.72x (35mm camera equivalent).
The L-Fn (Lens Function) button suspends the autofocusing
operation temporarily to avoid unintended focusing on obstacles that appear
suddenly between the camera and the subject.
A linear motor drives smooth and quiet autofocusing. The lens was
also constructed to be dust and splashproof, using multiple sealing rings
throughout the body.
