Olympus E-PL2 "New Generation System Camera"

Featuring new Art filters, new 14-42mm kit lens, the E-PL2 is annouced by Jimmy Loh, General Manager of Olympus Imaging Singapore. The E-PL2 is an entry-level "new generation system camera" compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard that boasts an impressive array of functions designed to boost performance, support creativity, and enhance ease of use when taking still pictures or shooting movies. It is scheduled to go on sale in the end of January 2011.

Main Features

1. New and updated Live Guide user interface for easy, intuitive adjustment of brightness, gradations, hue (colour balance), dynamic feeling and all other photographic parameters. Dial operation is easier to control and adjustments can be applied to movies, as well as to still images.
2. Improved Art Filters with selectable new Art Filter variations that allow users to customize each filter with different moods and effects and an Art Effect function to add various composition effects to the picture. Six Art Filters are incorporated including the new Dramatic Tone filter.
3. Excellent extendibility with a wide selection of easy-to-use, convenient, unique accessories and excellent portability thanks to light weight of 474 grams* including the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II standard zoom lens.
4. The MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism built into the lenses in the lens kits enables fast and quiet AF operation during and movie recording. The face detection AF employs an "Eye detect AF" that adjusts focus automatically on the subject's eyes during portrait shooting.
5. Excellent operability with a large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD monitor and a control dial.

The OLYMPUS PEN E-PL2 is an interchangeable lens camera compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard. It is the latest addition to the OLYMPUS PEN series of new generation system cameras. The E-PL2 was designed to offer users an easy entry to the world of system cameras. It offers the user-friendliness of the E-PL1's (March 2010) simple interface, compact size, and light weight, as well as the excellent operability and design. The new E-PL2 also features new features that provide users with more ways than ever to enjoy photography itself, not only while shooting, but afterwards as well. To make it easy even for novices to take full advantage of the photographic power of the SLR, the E-PL2 features a new user interface called "New Live Guide", an enhanced version of the Live Guide interface*1 originally featured on the E-PL1. All the user has to do is follow the guidance provided by the New Live Guide interface. Right away, they will be able to take pictures that turn out exactly as desired by setting image brightness, hue and background defocusing with intuitive dial operation. The New Live Guide interface also works in movie shooting.


The highly acclaimed Art Filters have also been improved with selectable Art Filter variations that allow users to apply a variety of moods and effects to each filter and an Art Effect function that adds various composition effects to the Art Filters. With the addition of picture composition effects, users will be able to create truly unique images that express their individual creative vision. The Art Filters themselves now include the popular "Dramatic Tone" effect, first available on the E-5, which applies dramatic tones of light and shade based on local changes in contrast. All six Art Filter effects can also be applied in movie recording.

The E-PL2 is a true system camera. More extendable than previous entry-level cameras, the E-PL2 features a new Accessory Port 2 extension terminal that can accept the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder, the SEMA-1 Stereo Microphone Set 1, or any one of the new accessories announced together with the E-PL2 such as the OLYMPUS PENPAL PP-1 Communication Unit*2 or the MAL-1 Macro Arm Light. The newly launched optional accessories also include three different lens converters including the FCON-P01 Fisheye Converter, the WCON-P01 Wide Converter and the MCON-P01 Macro Converter. When a lens converter is attached to the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II standard zoom lens and the scene modes exclusive to that converter are loaded in the camera, users will be able to take advantage of new photographic possibilities made possible by changing the angle of view.

Several new camera functions have been added, which not only make the camera easier to use, they enhance performance and help ensure high-quality results. Perhaps the most notable is an Eye detect function to improve the effectiveness of the face detection AF by adjusting focus automatically on the subject's eyes when shooting a relatively large image of a person. Operability has been enhanced with a big, bright, easy-view 3.0-inch, 460,000-dot LCD monitor and a rugged control dial. The control dial can be used for quick exposure compensation during shooting and quick frame advance during playback. A convenient Movie button lets users switch instantly to HD movie recording even when the camera is not set to the movie mode. Switching back to still image shooting is just as easy.

To achieve the high resolution and advanced picture quality proper to SLR, the image sensor uses a 4/3-inch 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor, while the image processing engine uses TruePic V.
The E-PL2 is as mobile as a conventional compact camera. Despite the incorporation of a flash and an image stabilization mechanism, the size and weight of both the body and lens have been reduced. The body colour is available in four variations including Champagne Gold, White, Red and Black.

Combining compact, eye-catching designs with full SLR performance, the OLYMPUS PEN series has staked out an important position in the digital SLR market. To expand the entry-level user segment and meet growing market demand with a wider line-up, we are proud to introduce the new E-PL2, a new generation system camera with richer expressive power and higher functionality to supplement the E-PL1.
Olympus is planning to enhance the "OLYMPUS PEN" new generation system camera series to create a wider market for the series.

Other Key Features

• 4/3-inch, 12.3-megapixel high-speed Live MOS image sensor and TruePic V image processing engine for high-quality, SLR-class imaging
• Easy-to-operate controls that can be customized to suit various shooting styles
• Enlarge button to facilitate focusing and composition check
• Magnified-frame AF for both small AF target and wide-area AF target
• Built-in image stabilization mechanism for compensation of camera shake with any lens
• Proven dust reduction system for worry-free lens changes
• Choice of 4 aspect ratios to suit users' creative objectives and display format preference
• Multi-exposure function with simultaneous LCD monitor display
• ENHANCE Picture mode for clear imaging with a heightened sense of realism
• Multi-Mix Slideshow playback with background music
• e-Portrait function for smooth rendering of skin texture
• MF Assist function for manual focusing with auto image magnification
• Continuous-tracking AF that locks onto subject and tracks movement in the frame
• Seamless recording of movie and still images using the dedicated Movie button and shutter button
• Shadow Adjustment Technology for beautifully exposed portraits and group photos
• Gradation Auto to prevent blown highlights and blocked-in shadows
• HDMI output for high-quality image and movie playback
• High-precision 324-zone evaluative metering system
• SDHC/SDXC card compatibility
• RM-UC1 Remote Cable compatibility
• Available colours: Black, Champagne Gold, Red, White

Details of other key features Updated Live Guide lets users easily obtain the results they want The OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 (March 2010) featured a new user interface called "Live Guide" designed to assist users without expert knowledge of photographic techniques to achieve the results they wanted. Using straightforward, easily understandable language free of technical terminology, Live Guide lets the user adjust parameters important in SLR photography such as colour intensity, hue (colour balance), image brightness, background defocusing and dynamic feeling simply by selecting the corresponding icons and controlling the slide bars, while viewing the image on the Live View screen.
The new OLYMPUS PEN E-PL2 incorporates an enhanced version of this system called the New Live Guide. The slide bars can now be adjusted using the rotary dial on the rear panel for even improved ease of control. With the E-PL2, Live Guide can also be used to set the movies. Pressing the shutter button starts still image shooting with the settings* made with Live Guide, and pressing the Movie button starts movie recording with its own settings. Naturally, still image can be captured any time during movie recording.
Live Guide also features "Shooting Tips", a handy selection of tips and tricks covering a wide range of photographic techniques such as the selection of the angle and composition on the LCD monitor. By explaining the purpose and method of each technique in clear language, the Shooting Tips function helps users take advantage of advanced photographic techniques that will enable them to obtain more impressive results. Techniques discussed include those that depend on optional accessories such as the Converters and Macro Arm Light.

* The movie is recorded in the Programmed exposure mode. The shutter speed and aperture values are different between the still image and movie.



Improved Art Filters
The new E-PL2 comes with selectable new Art Filter variations that allow users to customize each filter with different moods and effects and an Art Effect function to add various composition effects to the picture. Six Art Filters are incorporated including the new Dramatic Tone filter.

• Art Filter variations expand the range of Art Filters*1 The Art Filters so highly acclaimed on previous Olympus digital SLRs and new generation system cameras have been significantly enhanced with the addition of Art Filter Variations, a selection of filters that can be used to subtly vary the mood of each Art Filter to create a more unique, personalized image. The original filters are identified by the Roman numeral I, while the variations are identified by Roman numeral II and higher.
• Art Effect functions add composition effects to Art Filters*2 The Art Effect function makes it possible to add various picture composition effects to each Art Filter. Three effects are provided, including the Art Frame effect to add a stylish frame, the Pin Hole effect to reduce the brightness of the peripheral area, and the Soft Focus effect to blur the focus while maintaining the core. Together with the Art Filter variations, the Art Effect function allows the user to enjoy unprecedented creative possibilities with both still images and movies*2.
• New Art Filter "Dramatic Tone" added A total of six Art Filters are provided, including the new Dramatic Tone filter introduced on Olympus’s digital SLR flagship, the E-5 (November 2010).

Included Art Filters

• Pop Art (I, II)

1. Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid to create high-impact images with a pop-art feel.
2. Fluorescent colours are less prominent than in I, but colour contrast has been enhanced to create a more striking image. The Soft Focus, Art Frame or Pin Hole effect can be used with this filter.

• Soft Focus

Gives images a dream-like quality that creates a romantic and mystical atmosphere

Grainy 1

Grainy 2

• Grainy Film (I, II)

Gives images a dream-like quality that creates a romantic and mystical atmosphere

1. Recreates the classic grainy look and tonality of black & white photography, imparting a dramatic feel to images.
2. Has less contrast than I, optimizing the image’s impact. The Art Frame effect can be used with this filter.

Diorama

• Diorama

Creates the look of a miniature diorama by enhancing colour and contrast, and blurring the periphery to distort distance perception.

Dramatic

• Dramatic Tone

Represents real space in a more imaginary way by applying unrealistic tones of light and darkness based on local changes in contrast.

The Art Frame effect can be used with this filter.

New Picture modes integrating Art Filters
The Art Filters are now integrated into the conventional Picture Modes, making it possible to shoot Art Filter-applied images using Picture Modes such as the aperture-priority mode, shutter speed-priority mode and manual mode. In addition, sequential shooting performance has been improved with up to 4 frames* and improved Live View frame rate, making possible faster Art Filter shooting.
* The number of frames that can be shot sequentially varies depending on Art Filters.

Excellent extendibility with a wide selection of easy-to-use, convenient, unique accessories and excellent portability to light weight of 474 grams* including the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II standard zoom lens.

• Accessories for easy system extension; VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder, SEMA-1 Stereo Microphone Set 1, OLYMPUS PENPAL PP-1 Communication Unit and MAL-1 Macro Arm Light. The Accessory Port 2 on the back of the camera facilitates functional extension using a variety of optional accessories. These include the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder featuring 100% field of view and high 1,440,000-dot definition. Equipped with diopter adjustment to ensure a clear view for users who normally wear eyeglasses, the VF-2 offers excellent viewability thanks to its high brightness and contrast. When the microphone adapter for the SEMA-1 Microphone Set 1 is connected, external microphones can be connected for clearer stereo recording of the targeted sound.
• Connecting the new OLYMPUS PENPAL PP-1 Communication Unit enables users to easily send pictures to friends and family immediately after shooting, adding a new level of fun and mutual enjoyment to photography. The MAL-1 Macro Arm Light is ideal for shooting small subjects.
• Excellent portability thanks to size/weight reduction of both body and lens Users who upgrade to an interchangeable-lens camera from a point & shoot camera take it for granted that a camera should incorporate image stabilization and a flash. To accommodate these users, the size and weight of the new E-PL2 has been further reduced relative to previous models, while at the same time both a flash and an image stabilization mechanism have been incorporated. When combined with the compact new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II standard zoom lens, the total weight is just 474 grams. With the PEN series, Olympus has leveraged the power of the Micro Four Thirds System standard to fulfil its commitment to offering SLR-style cameras that deliver true SLR performance in a compact, user-friendly design that can be taken anywhere, anytime.

SummaryA very impressive list of specifications to add on formidable Olympus PEN line-up. The 3 inch display, varied art filters seems to target entry and mid-level users. How does this fare against the Samsung NX10, Sony NEX? Time only only tell! We can't wait to get our hands on a review unit!!