27/02/2026 5:10 pm
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Im finally heading to Scotland in three weeks and I really want to travel light with my OM-5. Ive been digging through reviews and everyone keeps raving about the Olympus 12-100mm f4 Pro as the ultimate do-it-all lens but man it looks huge and heavy for a hike. Then I saw the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 which is much smaller but Im worried 35mm isnt gonna be long enough for those distant castle shots. My budget is capped at like $800 so Id probably have to find the Oly used anyway. Is there a middle ground Im missing or should I just suck it up and carry the heavier glass for the better range?
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27/02/2026 5:35 pm
To add to the point above: I went through this exact same struggle before hiking the West Highland Way. I was so worried about my gear getting soaked or being too heavy to enjoy the trail. I ended up playing it safe with the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4.0 PRO and it was a solid choice. Its much smaller than the 12-100 and fits your budget easily even brand new. Quick tips:
- Check camerasize.com to see how these lenses actually look on your OM-5 body before buying.
- Pack a spare battery since the Scottish dampness drains them fast. The constant f4 is decent for landscapes and the weather sealing gave me peace of mind when it poured near Glencoe... you might miss the 100mm reach sometimes tho. Check out the lens groups on Flickr to see if 45mm feels long enough for those distant castles.
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27/02/2026 5:11 pm
Scotland is gonna be amazing! If the 12-100mm is a brick, get the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. instead. It is the perfect middle ground for reach and weight.
- It weighs way less than the big Pro zoom.
- Weather sealing is essential for those Highlands. Honestly, that extra reach over a 12-35mm is totally worth it for distant castles! Its a fantastic travel choice.
