My favourite wide-angle for use with MFT had previously been the four thirds Olympus ZD 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 lens, which I eventually and regretfully sold. But this new lens outperforms the zoom comfortably.

Absolutely superb build quality and good looks; Fast and reliable auto-focus and very useful 'snapshot' manual alternative; Colours and contrast similarly outstanding, and corner to corner sharpness can be obtained from f4 onwards.

None; so long as you can afford it

Sharp optics, great contrast, an elegant and well-built lens. Great for street photography. It would have been perfect if it was black and with a lens hood.

On the Olympus PEN E-P3 body we used for this review, the lens focused quickly and quietly. AF speeds were extremely fast, with the lens locking on to the subject almost instantly in most cases.

This premium optic from Olympus for Micro Four Thirds system compatible cameras costs around ￡650 and offers a wide field of view equivalent to a 24mm lens on a 35mm camera, internal focusing and a fast f/2 maximum aperture.

Handling and features Performance Verdict Specification This premium optic from Olympus for Micro Four Thirds system compatible cameras costs around ￡650 and offers a wide field of view equivalent to a 24mm lens on a 35mm camera, internal focusing and a fast f/2 maximum aperture.

Superb metal build quality; Good AF/MF control; Hyperfocal scale; Excellent optical performance in the centre at fast apertures

Premium price (although in this case; you get what you pay for; No hood or case provided

I'm a wide angle snob but I must say this lens does meet my expectations. Low distortion, and fantastic image quality out of this lens. One of my favourite shots out of this lens is this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kinematic/6174448530/in/photostream Superb build quality and although I am a...

Fantastic build quality; super fast AF; snap focus ring; low distortion

Expensive, no lens hood or pouch included; Kind of pointless wide aperture

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 12m f/2.0 lens is a 'fast' prime lens that covers a field of view equivalent to a 24mm lens on a 35mm camera. Ideal for landscape photography, its wide maximum aperture also makes it suitable for candid and street photography in poorly-lit situations.

You want a well-built; wide-angle lens with quiet autofocusing for shooting video; You'd like to explore the creative options of the wide maximum aperture; You want good manual focusing

You need close focusing and macro capabilities; You require excellent edge-to-edge sharpness.

Got the Olympus 12mm f/2 lens for M4/3 mount about a week ago and have had a chance to play with it a bit. Many people like me use the micro four-thirds cameras with old 35mm manual-focus film lenses adapted to them, which, based on the field of view you get, effectively multiplies the focal length...