Olympus brings back the black with release of the E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera
Olympus has updated its Micro Four Thirds E-P1 camera, introducing new features such as AF tracking and an electronic viewfinder to the E-P2, which now comes in a black finish
As with the E-P1, the E-P2 sports a 12 million pixel resolution sensor built around the new Micro Four Thirds (MTF) format, it can shoot up to 3fps and features an image stabilisation system with four EV steps. It also has a 30 fps 720p HD video mode, with stereo sound and an AF live view. It also features 'art filters' for special effects such as monochrome shooting (that can also be used in video mode), variable aspect ratios and a multi-exposure mode.
The MTF format, co-developed by Olympus and Panasonic, uses a smaller sensor (17.3x13mm) than in other DSLR cameras, achieving the gains in compactness by doing away with a mirror box and TTL optical viewfinder. The size has also been reduced with a six-millimetre smaller lens mount.
However, the E-P2 adds new features such as AF tracking, making ‘the sharp capture of moving subjects easier,’ says Olympus. It also offers a 1.44 million dot electronic viewfinder with 100% field of view. The viewfinder is tiltable by up to 90 degrees, ‘reminiscent of medium format camera viewfinders.’
Olympus will also release other accessory port attachments, such as an external microphone adapter to record sounds while shooting video.
Two new Art Filters have been added to the six already introduced with the E-P1. The Diorama mode creates the illusion of a model world, while the Cross Process mode flips colours around. Both filters can also be used in video mode.
Another feature introduced with the E-P2 is the i-Enhance function, which boosts specified colours within a frame to add ‘more punch to the image,’ says Olympus.
The E-P2 keeps the same retro design as the E-P1, which harks back to the innovative Pen camera, which was launched 50 years ago, and proved groundbreaking due to its compact size. The E-P1 and E-P2 share some similarities with the older Pen F and Pen FT cameras.
‘With the E-P1, many experts already told us that we had defined a totally new camera segment. Adding superb new features like an accessory port, viewfinder and new Art Filters has made an already incredible camera even better,’ says Mark Thackara, national marketing manager at Olympus UK. ‘This retro-cool model is finished in classic black and will become available from January 2010 at a price of £849 including the electronic viewfinder. An optional, matching black leather body jacket will also be on offer.’
‘All bodes well at the moment,’ says BJP contributor Jonathan Eastland in his first impressions of the E-P2. ‘One of the problems with this type of Micro Four Thirds mini cameras is that they try to be a compact model while offering DSLR image quality. But, in the end, they are compromised by the size of the camera. What it really comes down to is the user interaction. Now, that it’s in black and has a viewfinder, which is great news, I will have to look at it again.’
The E-P2 will be available from January 2010 at £849 with the 14-42 zoom lens. For more details, visit Olympus.co.uk.
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