New Gear: Olympus E-P2

The Micro Four Thirds parade marches on as Olympus has just unleashed the details about the follow up to the E-P1 we like so much. The camera body itself hasn't seen much of an upgrade. It boasts the same 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor as its predecessor and those hoping for a built-in flash are bound to be a little disappointed. But, each E-P2 will come standard with an articulating VF-2 electronic viewfinder to occupy the hot shoe. It works in conjunction with an "accessory port" that's new to the E-P2. While it opens up new possibilities for this camera, it also means that E-P1 users hoping to grab the viewfinder as a standalone will be out of luck. The accessory port can also be used for an external microphone using an EMA-1 Microphone adapter.

The rest of the upgrade list includes a black finish that more reminiscent of the classic Olympus PEN series as well as a Continuous Autofocus tracking system, which is a very welcome addition. Frequent video shooters will be glad to see that full shutter and aperture control is now unlocked in movie mode.

Two different kits will be available starting in February. Choose from an ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens or a 17mm f2.8 Zuiko lens. Both will cost $1099 including the electric viewfinder. Get more pictures and the rest of the crucial specs after the jump.

--HDMI control using a TV remote when camera is connected to an HDTV
--VF-2 viewfinder provides 1.15x maginification, rotates 90-degrees
--New C-AF Target Registration locks onto a subject and tracks it as it moves through the frame
--iEnhance mode intensifies colors
--Bigger than the E-P1, but ever so slightly: 4.74"(W) x 2.75" (H) x 1.37" (D)
--Body weight of 11.1 ounces
--Image stablization in the body
--12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor
--TruePic V Image Processing promises lower noise levels at ISO 6400
--3-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels. Viewing angle of 176-degrees
--Uncompressed CD-quality 16 bit/44.1kHz Linear PCM stereo recording capability
--19 scene-select modes
--Internal Digital Level Sensor that detects the camera's pitch and roll and indicates it on the control panel

 

Comments

[Ilan]

It looks really cool, but the damn price :\

*sigh* Guess the GX200 will do for now - although the IQ is not as good - http://www.ilanbresler.com/2009/10/lexus.html

[John]

Another overpriced "boutique" camera.

[cokids]

Wonder if you'll post a photo of the front view with viewfinder attached? Would love to see what THAT looks like! Check out more thoughts on my blog.

[cokids]

Oops! Realized that my blog does not show up even though you ask for and i gave link to it. Here it is, http://storyhourphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/olympus-e-p2.html.

[wayne a]

Is that a periscope attached to the body? Really completes the classic look! NOT

[D. Peterson]

Thanks, but I already have a Ricoh. Darn sight less expensive, too.

[Sayam Witiphat]

One can't help wonder what Panasonic will do next. My baht is on them.

[Mohsen]

I can still relax and take magnificient photos with my panasonic FZ50 and its huge leica super zoom eye without any temptation for next 5 years!

[Nick Rao]

We'll have to evaluate the price once street prices are established. Even if the street price has a hefty discount, the quality of the images under all conditions will have to justify the expense. Since there is no mention of actual shooting experience, we will just have to wait.

[William]

Interesting camera. Perhaps it might lend itself to more unique approaches.

[Mohamed Didi]

Equipped with a built-in eye level viewfinder, electronic or optical, will make this camera truly great. But compensating this vital feature with addition of an external viewfinder makes the sleek innovation horribly cumbersome and unattractive - both in look and practice!