DPreview just finished their full in-depth review of Olympus E-PL2 , the latest micro four-third camera from Olympus. The E-PL1 successor comes with improved build quality, better LCD and controls. So, what DPReview thinks about E-PL2 ? From the review , the camera got a silver award and overall score 71% .
Its image quality in good light is excellent and at higher sensitivities is pretty much on the same level as many entry-level DSLRs. The focus speed has noticeably improved over previous models and is now amongst the best in class. The camera is more customizable than many entry-level DSLRs and you get all of this in a camera/lens package that is currently as small as it gets if you want a large sensor in your camera. If you frequently change your exposure settings we would recommend that you try before you buy and check if the E-PL2′s one-dial user interface is right for you. For everyone else the Olympus is a great combination of image quality and portability.
Kirk Tuck review : the review has lots of real-world images so you can see the camera’s potential in creating beautiful photos. Overall , there is no image quality improvement over the previous E-PL1 but he likes its better and simple less attractive design.
I want to shoot as discreetly as possible. I want people to believe I am a hapless tourist or a rank amateur so that I don’t become part of a distracting, self sabotaging center of attention. And you can’t do that if you are a walking camera store.
SteveHuffPhoto : almost similar image quality with the E-PL1 but it has over 12 improvements such as ISO , LCD size , shutter speed etc. Steve also compares the camera to Sony NEX5
The E-PL2 is basically a “Hot Rodded” E-PL1 and it really is a fantastic photographic tool
Latest Olympus E-PL2 sample / test images available online from Imaging Resource. The images are in ORF (Olympus Raw Format ) and JPEG format , full resolution and available from ISO 200 to ISO 6400. You can then view , compare and judge the result yourself. I compared the E-PL1 versus E-PL2 images at ISO 3200 and i think the E-PL2′s images is have more contrast and slightly sharper too. And dont forget , E-PL2 also 1 stop better because it is support up to ISO 6400.
Well don’t just believe my words. Download and compare the test images yourself ( link )
Olympus E-PL2 now available for pre-order at Amazon ! current price is set at $600
In terms of specifications , what is the better camera ? the new Olympus E-PL2 or Panasonic Lumix GF2 ? First , let see the numbers ( taken from DPReview ):
Great news ! the new Olympus XZ-1 and Olympus E-PL2 are available for preorder at Amazon . Olympus XZ-1′s price is set at $500 and E-PL2 at $600. There is no info about the exact shipping date yet, Amazon just promise that they’ll deliver once they have them in-stock.
Olympus E-PL2 hands-on preview now available online at Imaging-Resource website. The camera just announced few days ago at CES 2011 exhibition. It’s the successor of the E-PL1 with more simplified design and a new lens.
“Overall, the E-PL2 seems like a more mature offering, and though it’s lost some of its visual appeal (at least, for the black model), it’s gained in utility and portability, thanks to the smaller kit lens, better grip, and higher resolution LCD. The display alone is a noticeable improvement over all of its predecessors, offering better manual focusing and image review. The other improvements are just icing on the cake”
Updated Olympus E-PL2 specifications according to 43rumors‘s reliable sources . As we can saw from previous leaked images , the E-PL2′s body is only sligthly difference from the E-PL1′s. Nothing major improvement here ..
on/off switch and grip is different
Live Guide II for still images and for Movie capture with Rotating Dial
New “Dramatic Tone” Art Filter and six background Music (Melancholy,Nostalgic, Love, Joy, Cool, Beat)
3.0 LCD with 460k Dots ( E-PL1 : 2.7″ with 230k dots )
Auto ISO up to 6400 ( E-PL1 up to 3200 )
Shutter: 1/4000s ( 2x faster than E-PL1 )
SDXC Memory Card
It has cable release
Face Detection with Eye Detect
22 Scene-Select Modes ( E-PL1 only has 19 scenes )
According to 43rumors, Olympus will likely introduce their new cameras at CSE 2011 event. They are Olympus E-PL2 and XZ1. Olympus E-PL2 is the successor of E-PL1 with similar body design but with new/improve features. Some of the E-PL2 features are:
a direct movie button
high-res LCD 3-inch with 460 dot pixels
new Art filter : Dramatic Tone
boost ISO up to 6400 !
PENPAL external bluetooth module that can attach to the camera’s hotshoe. The module able to instantly upload fresh photos to social network ( Facebook , Twitter etc ) .. niceee
with similar body design but with new/improve features. Some of the E-PL2 features are: