Olympus E-P2 Finally Unveiled

10th November, 2009 by Adina
Tags: , , ,

As promised, Olympus has released the E-P2, a second-generation Micro Four Thirds camera. This camera is rather a refinement of the original idea than a real successor of the E-P1 camera. Lack of viewfinder and built-in flash were generating most complaints from the customers. There is still no integrated flash, but the 12.3-megapixel E-P2 device adds motion-track auto focusing that allows better following of the subject across the frame, maybe the most important improvement. There is manual control of the aperture and shutter speed. A new VF-2 electronic viewfinder providing a 1.44-megapixel image is a big step forward compared to the previous version. It also allows 1.15× magnification with any attached lens and 100 percent coverage. This accessory port of the new camera allows a microphone adapter for a stereo microphone attachment. CEC support is added to the HDMI video output and is controllable by a compatible TV remote. The E-P2 is in black version only.

Olympus has also launched new Micro Four Thirds lenses working with both E-P cameras. A super wide 9-18-milimeter (an 18-36-millimeter film equivalent) f4.0-5.6 lens will enable a wide-angle zoom lens for the mounting system; a super zoom 14-150-millimeter (a 28-300-millimeter equivalent) f4.0-5.6 lens will give users the alternative to Panasonic’s telephoto-ranged lens. The lenses will not ship until the first half of 2010 and pricing will not be available until nearer launches.

The kits containing the 14-42-millimeter f3.5-5.6 lens or the17-millimeter lens will equally cost $1,100. What is even better is that the E-P1 camera will be cheaper this way, its actual price being $750 with a lens.

The camera comes with iEnhance, a mode that boosts the color saturation for pictures seeming unusually dull. Live Art Filter image effects include a Cross Process mode flipping color values for surreal look and a Diorama mode simulating the narrow depth of field.


  • Share/Bookmark

 

Readers Comments