Olympus E-PL2

The Olympus E-PL2 is the 4th Generation PEN Digital Interchangeable Lens (DIL, aka compact mirrorless DSLR) camera. It retains more or less the same design as the E-PL1 with a couple of minor differences. The horizontal bar ascross the front of the camera is gone, the handgrip extends both toward the front and rear, and the LCD is 3.0-in. with 460k-dot resolution. The Gentle Sepia Art Filter is replaced by Dramatic Tone, and all Art Filters gain several variations. Face Detection now incorporates Eye Detect so the camera knows to focus on the eyes when it detects a face. The E-PL2 now accepts the larger capacity SDXC memory card. It is available in 4 colors: black, white, silver and red. An interesting accessory is the Close Up Spotlight MAL-1 which slides onto the hot shoe and uses adjustable light intensity LED lights on two long flexible arms (à-la-Dr. Octopus).

PRESS RELEASE

POWERFULLY SIMPLE OLYMPUS PEN® SYSTEM GROWS WITH INTELLIGENT ENHANCEMENTS AND BLUETOOTH® CAPABILITY: THE OLYMPUS PEN E-PL2 CAMERA

Enhance Your High Definition Videos and Stills with Movie and Still Compatible Lens Technology, New Live Guide II, More Robust Art Filter Effects and a New Range of Accessories

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 5, 2011 – Today Olympus announces the new powerfully simple PEN E-PL2, the fourth generation of the award-winning and pioneering Olympus PEN family of compact interchangeable lens digital cameras. Known for pro quality, point-and-shoot simplicity and high-definition video, the PEN E-PL2 continues the PEN family’s legacy of simple design, intuitive interface and Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) image quality. The new camera also expands your creative potential with Live Guide II, new in-camera creative features, new auxiliary lenses, a new Close-Up Spotlight accessory (MAL-1) and the new Olympus PENPal™ Bluetooth accessory. Capturing amazing still images and HD video just got a lot more fun. Further proof that Olympus lets you capture it all.

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OLYMPUS ANNOUNCES WINNER OF THE “PEN Create It” CONTEST

Winner Receives Exclusive 12-Day Photography Trip to Japan

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 27, 2010 – Olympus names the winner of the “PEN Create It” photo and Haiku contest which began in July 2009 and celebrated the launch of the first Olympus® PEN® camera, the E-P1, and its creative capabilities. The contest was open to residents of Canada, and challenged consumers to capture a photo or video with the E-P1 digital camera and write a Haiku to best corroborate their art. Ted Nodwell was selected for his image and Haiku, and will receive a 12-day all-expenses-paid photography trip to Japan.

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The Online Photographer has chosen a different tack in awarding its top award for the best cameras of 2009. It asked 2009 contributors to mention their favorite camera of 2009.

Not surprisingly, the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF1, the Digital Interchangeable Lens (DIL) cameras [aka "mirrorless" DSLRs], were two favorites for their compactness and light weight as compared to a DSLR.

Other winners: Panasonic GH1, Pentax K-x, Leica M9 and Sony A850. Oh, and the Fujifilm GF670 / Voigtlaender Bessa III 120-roll film camera [FOMC]?

Olympus E-P2

“Yes, I am smitten with the Olympus E-P2. It’s a combo of take anywhere fun and quality all in one compact package.”

Steve Huff Photo has published their review of the Olympus E-P2 [Specs], a Digital Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, AF Tracking, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards. Included in the box is also a high resolution (1.44M dots) electronic Live Viewfinder.

[ Read the Olympus E-P2 Review at: Steve Huff Photo ]

Olympus E-P2

Steve’s Digicams is giving out an Olympus E-P2 to the lucky winner of their December 2009 Photo of the Day submissions.

[ Enter the POTD contest at: Steve's Digicams ]

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Olympus E-P1 with 17mm pancake lens

“It’s the first camera I’ve used in quite some time that I’m very sure would significantly increase my happiness minute supply.”

The Online Photographer has published their Part III review of the Olympus E-P1 [Specs], the world’s smallest Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards.

[ Read the Olympus E-P1 Review [Part II] at: The Online Photographer ]

Olympus E-P1 with 17mm pancake lens

“Responsiveness [is]not perfect … but it’s sufficient.”

The Online Photographer has published their Part II review of the Olympus E-P1 [Specs], the world’s smallest Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards.

[ Read the Olympus E-P1 Review [Part II] at: The Online Photographer ]

Olympus E-P2

“To the eye, the viewfinder is as good as the viewfinder on my E-3 [...]: Nice, bright and good for manual focusing.”

The Online Photographer has published their review of the Olympus E-P2 [Specs], a Digital Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, AF Tracking, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards. Included in the box is also a high resolution (1.44M dots) electronic Live Viewfinder.

[ Read the Olympus E-P2 Review at: The Online Photographer ]

Olympus E-P1

Just Posted! Olympus E-P1 Review

The Olympus E-P1 succeeds in incorporating DSLR image quality in a relatively compact and light body, thanks to the use of a large Four Thirds image sensor. It is a beautiful camera with a retro look that harks back to the PEN era. The micro Four Thirds mount makes its compact form possible and accepts interchangeable lenses. But good looks are just the starting point…. If you are principally a landscape photographer and are tired of lugging around a heavy DSLR and lenses, the E-P1 may just be your perfect digital interchangeable lens camera.

[ Read more in our Olympus E-P1 Review... ]