p.1 #2 · Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 vs Olympus 12-100 f/4
I can’t answer your question, other than to say I found the 12-100 too large and I’m not a fan of variable aperture lenses or widest aperture being f/4, so I opted for the 12-40mm f/2.8.
(I do own the 8-18mm variable aperture lens, because I dislike the bulbous front of the Olympus 7-14mm more than I dislike variable aperture).
p.1 #3 · Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 vs Olympus 12-100 f/4
I had both of those lenses for a time. I found myself always choosing to take the Olympus lens due to the extra reach and in my opinion nicer rendering, so ended up giving away the PanaLeica lens.
p.1 #4 · Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 vs Olympus 12-100 f/4
Are you shooting an Olympus camera or a Panasonic camera? The 12-100mm f/4 offers 'Synch IS' on Olympus bodies, it won't function on Panasonic bodies.
I have the 12-100mm and the stabilization on my E-M1X and OM-1 Mkll is downright insane. It is a very sharp lens at all focal lengths and at all apertures. Its only down side is that it is a little large and heavy -- but it is a Pro grade lens.
If I could only keep one lens I own it would have to be this lens -- it is just too versatile.
p.1 #5 · Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 vs Olympus 12-100 f/4
I chose the Olympus 12-40 f/2.8 PRO over the Panasonic Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 because it just felt more than usable to get 80mm FF equivalent on the long end and also keep that brighter f/2.8 aperture for times where it was really needed at night. I love it!
p.1 #6 · Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 vs Olympus 12-100 f/4
I have both (and many others, 12-40/2.8, 12-45/4...). The 12-100 is better optically, a dream lens when travelling but also slightly too big to be convenient for me.
So a year ago, I bought the 12-60/2.8-4 to get a compact lens with more reach than the 12-40 or 12-45. I can complement it with a 35-100/4-5.6 if needed.
And it proved to be a winner. Going up to 60mm makes all the difference compared to the 12-40.
I also shoot social events and theater. I never used the 12-100: too big, f/4 even a short focal length... I tried but it was not a good fit.
But the 12-60 does 80% of the job, meaning I use the extra Pana 50-200/2.8 I needed for portraits a lot less.
So I plan to sell the 12-100 but if it fits your needs, this is one the best lenses I have ever used.
p.1 #7 · Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4 vs Olympus 12-100 f/4
I have both and kept both. The 12-60 has nice IQ and the highest mag is on the long end and is small for what it is. The 12-60 fits in my hiking pack well where the 12-100 does not. I miss the sync IS but that is not a killer for the12-60. We sometimes do these hiking Inn to Inn trips and I leave the other gear at a stop and retrieve it later. The macro on the 12-100 f4 natively isn't as good but I found a Sigma achromatic close up diopter that works well with it. If not hiking I use the 12-100 for the extra reach and sync IS but both have there place.
