Gadzuiko! Or, WTF (What The Focalplane) is a Zuiko?

We are going to take a little timeout from the amazing OM-D E-M10 to talk about the Olympus brand of lenses, the Zuiko line. As an aside to an aside, the word Zuiko loosely translated means "auspicious optics" or "auspicious light". Auspicious, indeed.

M.Zuiko ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ

I opted for the M.Zuiko ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ lens to go with my E-M10. Since the MFT crop factor (more on this later) is two, this is the equivalent of a 35mm 24-100mm zoom. The EZ means the lens has the option to use electronic zooming instead of ring-twist. Did I mention it also has a "macro" mode?

In short, I'm as impressed with this lens as I am the E-M10. 

The zoom ring normally twists to accomplish the 4.2x zoom. Slide the ring forward one click and viola! Now it is an electronic zoom, perfect for videos. Press a buttom on the side of the lens and slide the ring forward another click and presto-change-o, you have a 43mm macro lens! Oh, and the lens is also weather proofed - nothing other than the zoom ring, focus ring and mode buttons move on the outside of the lens body.

I can't really speak to the IQ (image quality) too extensively, but to the casual eye this is a heckofa lens. Only downside: no built-in WiFi.

Maybe some sunshine today. I'll be chasing the light...