The IBIS should/will go a long way to compensate for the lack of fast glass in the 12-50. The IBIS cannot compensate for an optimum portrait focal length, extremely sharp lens and shallow DOF. The 45mm is perfect to get portraits when sitting across a table from your subject. Get the 45mm.

Gary

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"Everywhere you look there are photographs, it is up to us photogs to see them."- Gary Ayala
My Snaps are Here: Unsharp At Any Speed
Critiquing my images is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

thanks for all the advice, I will monitor my usage and see which focal length I use most.

leaning towards the 25...it seems more of a jack of all trades.

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Oly 45 mm Oly 45 mm and Oly 45 mm 1.8
If you are thinking about portrait length and portrait special lens then there is nothing which beats Oly 45 mm 1.8 . Now you do have 12-50 mm which seems to be quite decent and covers 45mm but 45 mm 1.8 obviously is a fast prime and has its own advantages . Now I had PL25 mm 1.4 for 2-3 months and It was a decent lens but nothing spectacular. PL 25 mm 1.4 is heavy , expensive and IQ is almost same as 20 mm 1.7 , so why would you spend more ? Another more important point is your fav focal length . I am quite comfortable with 45mm 1.8 but the focal length many not suit u . But if you want a portrait lens then there is no alternative to 45 mm 1.8 and 25mm 1.4 can't replace it . They are different tools for different jobs.
Cheers
Bhupinder
HAve a look at this
CAUTION - If you see this thread , u might be poorer by USD399 soon ..

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OMD Silver with battery Grip
Olympus 45mm 1.8
Panny 20mm 1.7
Olympus 4/314-54mm MrkII,
Fuji X100 Black LE

I second this. Having the 45 for a while and doing a lot of indoor shots I find it a bit too long. In a crowded setting it forces you to move too far away, taking away candid shots completely. The 25 on the other hand is perfect for some quick shots in confined settings, I find myself using it far more indoors. I believe that the PL25 has the best IQ of the three lenses I have and it works great at night (the 45 is no slouch though!!).

I agree it can a be bit problematic indoor but OP is after a portrait lens and PL 25 mm is no way a portrait lens . Now IQ of PL is not at all above Oly 45mm . When it comes to AF , sharpness , value for money and portrait photography , Oly 45 mm 1.8 truly shines . This the best MFT native prime which money can buy IMHO.
Cheers
Bhupinder

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OMD Silver with battery Grip
Olympus 45mm 1.8
Panny 20mm 1.7
Olympus 4/314-54mm MrkII,
Fuji X100 Black LE

I own the 45; used to own the 25. Both are great lenses. If I had to just rank them outright on an absolute scale I'd give a slight edge to the 25. But for portraits I'd go with the 45 without question, unless you are expecting to be shooting in tight settings.

As others have suggested, do a little recon with your 12-50 at both FL and figure out what will work for you.

The reason I brought up the indoor situations is that he mentions it right after the portrait usage. I fully agree that the 45 is better for portraits if that is your intended use.

However at the end of the post he says,
"is the 45mm a good middle ground? or will I just be limiting myself either way? I have a feeling that the 25mm is better for all around photography, and the 45mm is more ideal for portraits."

I think everyone should ideally have the 45 but as I stated previously it is simply too long for me for overall use. I've seen pictures from both lenses that amaze me. However all of my best pictures on this format so far have been taken with the PL25, including portraits (which will change as I take more with the 45).

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