What is the best all-around travel lens for M4/3 cameras?

Question

I am planning a three-week trip through Japan this fall and I really want to stick to a one-lens setup to keep my kit lightweight. I am currently shooting with an OM-5, and while I love my primes, I do not want to be swapping glass constantly while sightseeing.

I have been looking at the Olympus 12-100mm f4 IS Pro because of that incredible range, but I am worried it might be too bulky for all-day carry. On the other hand, the Panasonic-Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 seems like a great middle ground for size and speed. Does anyone have experience with these, or is there a hidden gem I am missing? What is your personal go-to do-it-all lens for travel?

TidalTamarind · Accepted Answer

Quick question - what do you actually shoot most? Like, street or landscapes?

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO: Sync IS is basically magic for handheld night shots, but its heavy...

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.: Faster at 12mm and way lighter for an OM SYSTEM OM-5 right? I've carried both on trips for years and weight is highkey the biggest factor tho!

Miguelacimb · Answer

just saw this thread and it reminds me of my first big trip to Osaka. honestly i spent way too much on a heavy pro lens before i left and ended up regretting the weight big time. by day three i was basically looking for a post office to mail it back home because my shoulder was screaming lol. i ended up grabbing a used, basic kit zoom from a shop in Akihabara for super cheap and you know what? the photos were basically indistinguishable for my travel album. if you're worried about the bulk of the larger zooms, trust your gut. Japan involves a crazy amount of walking and subway stairs. i usually check out sites like mirrorlesscomparison or look through flickr groups for the om-5 to see what people are actually getting with the lighter glass. sometimes the cheaper, non-pro stuff is 90% as good for way less cash and half the weight. might be worth looking into the slower f/5.6 options that people usually ignore... they're surprisingly sharp in daylight and wont break the bank.

ObsidianOrca · Answer

Unfortunately my experience with the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 II wasnt as good as expected. While the range is nice, the build felt a bit flimsy for a long trip and I was always worried about getting grit inside the barrel. It just didnt feel reliable enough for a big trip like Japan. Instead, the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4.0 PRO has been a much better fit. Its way more reliable and has that pro build quality without the massive weight of the 12-100mm. You lose some zoom but the lens feels solid and wont let you down. It matches the OM-5 size perfectly too. Quick tip: stick to native lenses to make sure the weather sealing gaskets actually match up perfectly with your camera body.