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Olympus E-P2 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Olympus E-P2 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 13 March 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 16 February 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 15 February 2010 - |
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- 4 |
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- 04 February 2010 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 29 January 2010 - |
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- 5 |
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- 15 December 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 05 November 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 05 November 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 04 November 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 18 October 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
DPInterface 's conclusion / rating - 13 March 2010 |
“ The Olympus PEN E-P2 is, for most part, an identical twin to the E-P1 – Offering the same retro look (now in black!) combined with solid build quality , 12 megapixel LiveMOS sensor, sensor-shift image stabilization, full manual controls and 720p movie mode. And as I mentioned in the E-P1 review that it has a feature set very close to its E620 digital SLR counterpart (right down till the menus), the E-P2 does too. Several sets of custom functions, color temperature and white balance tweaking, and high degree of customizability – they’re all here on the PEN E-P2.
Olympus has also addressed the issue of ‘no viewfinder’ that people were complaining about on the E-P1 by adding an accessory port on the PEN E-P2. This new port not only allows you to attach an external EVF (and the PEN E-P2 even comes with a high resolution one in the box), but also an optional external microphone adapter if you ever feel the need for better sound quality to go along with your 720p movies. Speaking of movies, you can record 720p HD movies using the PEN E-P2, complete with manual zoom, stereo sound and control over shutter speed/aperture.
Unfortunately, being the close twin of the E-P1 also means that the PEN E-P2 inherits several flaws and shortcomings of the camera, such as the low resolution LCD on the back, lack of real image stabilization when recording video, no built-in flash, lack of an autofocus assist lamp and below average focusing performance. That’s a shame because the camera takes good pictures, even at higher ISO speeds, but has trouble focusing in low-light.
Image quality produced by the Olympus PEN E-P2 was very good with bright, saturated colors (even with default settings) and good high ISO performance till 1600. The 14-42 mm lens of the camera is also what I consider one of the better, if not the best, “kit lens” you can find bundled with a camera – it’s very compact since it can be retracted and also produces fairly good image.
Like the E-P1 before it, the Olympus PEN E-P2 is sort of like a niche-premium camera. It strives at outdoor shooting and picture-taking where there’s good light around, and it even comes with a nice external EVF (though you do pay quite a bit for the camera). It’s not flawless, however, and you probably should do a bit of homework and shopping (consider the other Micro Four Thirds cameras available) before dropping the big bucks on the PEN E-P2
... ”
DPInterface's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DigitalCameraReview 's conclusion / rating - 16 February 2010 |
“ Camera makers have attempted, several times, over the past fifty years to combine the creative potential and flexibility of an interchangeable lens SLR camera with the convenience and usability of a pocket-sized Point and Shoot camera. Unfortunately, that's sort of like trying to combine a sports car with a minivan - it usually doesn't work. The new Olympus Pen E-P2 may be one of the few exceptions to that rule - it really does a very good job of merging the creative flexibility of a DSLR with the convenience and ease of use of a compact point and shoot.
The E-P2 and its predecessor the E-P1 were designed to meet the needs of a remarkably broad demographic. The E-P2 should appeal to pro and semi-pro shooters looking for a pocketable back-up camera with lots of creative potential, casual shooters looking for a stylish and easy to use camera with lots of automatic capability, and amateur photographers looking to move up from their consumer and prosumer point and shoots. The EP-2 is compact, unobtrusive, responsive, easy to use, and capable of consistently and dependably delivering "pro" quality images.
I had an Olympus Pen FT (with Zuiko Auto S f/1.4 40mm lens) for many years and I also had a Pen EE (fixed lens ultra-compact 35mm) for a while - I liked both of them, but I like the EP-2 more - it is a 21st century reincarnation of the "street" cameras of yore. After spending some quality time with the E-P2 I believe it is a first rate image making tool for adventurous shooters who want to channel the spirits of great street shooters like Henri Cartier-Bresson or compelling documentary photographers like Dorothea Lange... ”
DigitalCameraReview's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
CameraLabs 's conclusion / rating - 15 February 2010 |
“ The Olympus E-P2 takes the already compelling E-P1 and equips it with the ability to connect an external microphone via an optional adapter or fit a supplied electronic viewfinder. And it's not just any old electronic viewfinder either. Unlike the disappointingly average LVF-1 offered for the Panasonic GF1, the VF-2 supplied with the Olympus E-P2 delivers a superb-looking image that's large and highly detailed. It really is an absolute joy to use, and with the optional microphone adapter, the E-P2 addresses two key aspects missing from the E-P1, while also leap-frogging the competition.
So a great camera's become even better, right? Sure, but the VF-2 employs pretty sophisticated technology which significantly adds to the price of the E-P2. This coupled with the 'age' of the E-P1 means the E-P2 package at the time of writing could end up costing over 50% more than the original model when both are bundled with the same lens. That's a hefty premium, and a total price which could alternatively buy a capable mid-range DSLR like the Nikon D90. We know a traditional DSLR is a completely different proposition, but it's important to illustrate what else your money could buy.
Had the E-P2 also addressed some of the E-P1's other concerns, such as fitting a popup flash, improving the screen resolution, accelerating AF performance or lengthening video recording times, then the price difference would be easier to justify. And lest we forget, each of these concerns has already been addressed by the Panasonic Lumix GF1.
It also doesn't help the E-P2's viewfinder and external microphone adapter can also now be fitted to the newer and cheaper E-PL1 model, which also features a built-in flash. Yes, it's a 'beginner's model, with basic controls and a smaller screen, but with the same core benefits of the E-P1 and E-P2 along with the E-P2's accessory port and a new flash, it's a pretty compelling proposition.
Prior to the E-PL1's announcement, this would have been an easier review to conclude. It would have read something like this: while the software enhancements are nice to have, the real benefits of the E-P2 over the E-P1 are the viewfinder and the ability to connect an external microphone adapter. If you've already decided you like the E-P1, then it simply boils down to deciding whether you're willing to pay for these extras. Like other high-end goods, we can assure you the viewfinder is very nice indeed, but only you can decide if it's worth splashing-out on. Simple as that: if you love the viewfinder and can afford it, then go for the E-P2, otherwise go for the E-P1.
But the E-PL1 announcement has put a real spanner in the works. Its recommended price is almost half that of the E-P2 kit, and while it doesn't come with the VF-2 viewfinder, you could buy this accessory at the same time and still come in at around three-quarters of the price of the E-P2. In fact there'd just about be enough remaining to also buy the 17mm f2.8 pancake prime to complement the 14-42mm zoom for a nice twin lens kit. Indeed that's a good way to look at the decision: are the bigger screen and greater sophistication of the E-P2 worth the price of another lens? And of course by going for the E-PL1, you could delay the purchase of the VF-2 until you can afford it or really know it's a necessity.
So while the E-P2 is a really nice camera to use and one we can recommend, you've got to really want its bigger screen and more sophisticated controls to buy it over the E-PL1. It'll certainly be interesting to see how many E-PL1's end up being bought by enthusiasts and fitted with VF-2's... ”
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 04 February 2010 |
“ With the tweaks and refinements to the Olympus E-P2 being relatively modest, existing E-P1 owners shouldn't feel the need for an upgrade. To sum up, chief 'improvements' are the newly included EVF and port for such, (slightly) enhanced functionality for video makers, and the two new Art Filters, out of which Diorama was the one we deployed most often for its otherworldly and at times painterly effects. The E-P2 is, like its sibling, not only easy to use but also fun with it, and while there are creative options to dip in and out of, users can simply leave the camera on iAuto and take above par snapshots if so desired.
The disappointment about a lack of built-in flash in a package costing nearly £900 remains, and, if we were betting men, we'd wager that a Pen camera with integral flash mustn't be far off. Olympus will both need that to remain competitive and reach the wider consumer market with the series - more women users, a younger overall age group - that it originally stated was its intention with the launch of the E-P1. Integral flash and possibly a lower price will help do just that. Editor's note: Olympus must have been listening, as they launched the cheaper E-PL1 complete with built-in flash yesterday!
The Pen's dimensions, build and portability also loom large among its appealing qualities. Olympus' ad campaign may be suggesting 'don't be a tourist', and yet we'd recommend the compact(ish) camera as an ideal tool for the travel photographer. Overall the E-P2 joins the list of cameras that we didn't want to have to hand back at the end of the review period. And incidentally, for Pen completists a black leather body jacket is being offered by Olympus for the E-P2... ”
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PhotographyReview 's conclusion / rating - 29 January 2010 |
“ This review has got to end… and does, because my experience with the camera is still somewhat limited. I only have the 17mm lens, although I have ordered the Olympus 70-300mm Zuiko lens, and a micro four thirds adapter so I can mount it on the Ep-2. I like nature photography, and this will fill the bill for loooong reach… the equivalent of 140-600mm in 35mm format. A wide angle zoom will follow, but I’ll wait until Olympus releases it in the micro four thirds format, more compact, with no adapter required. Novaflex makes an adapter that would allow me to use my Nikon D lenses with this camera, but at nearly $300, I don’t know that I’ll bother. Yeah, I know, the Olympus 70-300mm is hardly compact, but then, what long lens really is anyway? Besides, it’s the kind of guy I am. I think you’ve got that picture by now. I think it’s kinda cool when somebody has to look around a long lens to see if there’s actually a camera on the tripod.
I rate this camera 5/5. That’s better than 4/3, isn’t it? For more details, see the brief comments following in “strengths” and “weaknesses.”... ”
PhotographyReview's rating: |
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- 5 |
Complete review here
LetsGoDigital 's conclusion / rating - 15 December 2009 |
“ Olympus PEN E-P2 retro system camera
When the Olympus P1 was introduced, people admired this bold step by Olympus. The PEN camera was and is in many ways a unique camera, although Panasonic has now introduced a similar camera. The design of the Olympus PEN P2 camera is virtually identical to the P1, retro with a modern touch to it. It remains a great camera both to look at and to work with, as this Olympus E-PEN P2 surely stands out.
Olympus PEN E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera
The expectations surrounding the first Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera were high, merely caused by Olympus itself. The brand started a small hype by showing a prototype design during one of the large camera shows, which made the minimum specifications increasingly more though. However, Olympus managed to fulfill most of the expectations and that is an achievement in itself.
Olympus E-P2 rises high expectations
There were some critical comments, most of which we consider to be right. But still, the first Olympus PEN micro Four Thirds system camera was a fact! And when the news about a fast introduction of a second PEN camera reached us, expectations rose high once again. You do take it out somewhat on the Olympus P2, partially after the technical tests, and partially also in response to the experience with the P1.
Olympus PEN P2 image quality
Let us briefly summarize things. As for image quality or rather; overall quality, it is like we're testing the P1 all over again. Excellent picture quality, good resolution and a special photography experience is what the Olympus Pen E-P2 stands for. Therefore we have to look for the tiny differences that on the one hand have a large impact on the photo experience, and on the other hand are only minimally present. The electronic viewfinder is great, truly a very special accessory and quite unique in the market. The AF Tracking is also a great addition, giving just that bit of extra AF power the P1 lacks.
Olympus PEN E-P2 differences marginal to the PEN E-P1
This brings us to a nagging feeling that we want to really need to get out of our system. It comes down to the fact, perhaps a little bit bold to state, that the Olympus PEN E-P2 should have been the P1. The comments on the P1 were not so surprising at all, in fact quite logical, however, perhaps there was no chance to further develop the P1 and introduce it at a later time. That would have meant Panasonic would have been the first to launch an actual compact Micro Four Thirds camera. The differences are actually marginal to be able to speak of two different cameras, and we are by no means trying to degrade the P1's qualities, but with both cameras side by side, you are not likely to opt for the P1? The price difference does draw a clear line in between the P1 and Olympus PEN E-P2. However, this is more like a forced segmentation than an actual difference in products.
Olympus PEN P2 system camera lets you enjoy digital photography
We did enjoy shooting with the Olympus PEN E-P2. And although we did not come across any surprises, shooting with the Olympus PEN P2 does seem to add that little bit of extra, like a special dimension to photography. I'm still not quite sure what it is, but the fact remains that I experience photography in a different way compared to shooting with a full-frame DSLR. Perhaps it is all the little details together that create such an experience. Anyway, the Olympus E PEN-P2 is a valuable addition to the Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera range. A camera that lets you enjoy digital photography even more!... ”
LetsGoDigital's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DCResource 's conclusion / rating - 05 November 2009 |
“ The E-P2 looks nearly identical to the original E-P1, with two exceptions. The most obvious change is the color: while the E-P1 came in silver or white, the E-P2 is available in translucent black only. The other change is the addition of the accessory port, which you'll see in a moment. Adding this port makes the E-P2 very slightly taller than the E-P1 -- we're talking 0.1 mm here. Aside from those two things, they're the same beast. That means that you get a mostly metal, retro-styled body (based on Olympus' classic "Pen" film cameras), a small, faux leather grip, and easy one hand operation... ”
Complete review here
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 05 November 2009 |
“ Olympus has once again produced a nice little SLD (Single Lens Direct-view) digital camera, one with personality and pretty darn good image quality. It's impressive that Olympus was able to respond so quickly to the desires of the press and its early users, adding a few key features that make a difference to the user experience and the Olympus E-P2's utility. To me the most important of those features is the new Accessory port, which allows attachment of the EVF and the external mic jack. The addition of full Manual exposure control to the Movie mode is also great for aspiring movie makers who don't want a stray flashlight beam to upset their exposure while making an X-Files fan film.
As of this writing, it looks like the Olympus E-P2 will only be available in bundles with a lens and the VF-2 electronic viewfinder, making its $1,100 price a little high for those who've already purchased an E-P1 and want the extra functionality. Hopefully they'll release at least one more body-only package soon. Despite the EVF's excellent quality, I'm not sure it's a must-have accessory; and anything Olympus can do to help existing owners upgrade their system with an additional body is probably a good idea going into the holiday shopping season... ”
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 04 November 2009 |
“ This is our First Look at a pre-production E-P2 Digital Pen camera. Please check back in the next few weeks to see our in-depth conclusion, once we are able to put a full production unit through the paces.
Just five months ago, Olympus announced their first ever Micro 4/3 Digital PEN model, the E-P1. Now, they have released an upgraded version, labeled the E-P2. While it seems this is a successor, Olympus has commented that the E-P2 does not replace the E-P1, however compliments it with added features along with a slightly higher price tag.
The E-P2 continues the retro look and feel we came to love with the E-P1. Olympus' PEN family history dates back to 1959, and the E-P2 continues the tradition of offering powerful options in a sophisticated camera design. Many feel that these new Micro 4/3 cameras are not truly dSLRs, because they do not have an automatic moving mirror system. However, the E-P2/E-P1, along with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1, are still interchangeable lens cameras that offer almost all of the same features/options one would find on true dSLR.
The E-P2 shares over 90% of it's features with its "little" brother, including a 12.3-Megapixel Live MOS image sensor, TruePic V image processor, Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system, 3.0-inch LCD screen, 324-area TTL ESP metering system, 11-area Contrast Detection AF system, sensor-shift Image Stabilization, built-in digital leveling function, 720p HD video capture, JPEG and RAW image formats (RAW + JPEG available), sensitivity settings from ISO 100 - 6400 (in 1/3 or 1EV steps), sRGB or Adobe RGB color space options, and burst mode shooting at up to 3fps. Olympus has added some "needed" options to the E-P2, such as a new detachable, tilting EVF (VF-2), an accessory port (for the VF-2, EMA-1 optional external microphone jack, as well as future accessories), iEnhance picture mode, new MF assist options, Continuous AF tracking (available in both still and movie modes), two new Art filters, e-Portrait Scene mode, CEC compatibility, full manual exposure control in movie mode, and more.
The body design is almost identical to the E-P1's, with only a slightly taller profile to accommodate the new accessory port located under the hot shoe. Olympus is only offering the E-P2 in one color scheme, which looks Much better than the E-P1 offerings in my opinion, with it's nice anodized black finish. Like we mentioned with it's brother, Olympus has done a fantastic job at designing the exterior of this camera, with excellent control/button placement, and various comfort features. The hand grip on the right side offers a nice firm grip, making it simple to hold the relatively thin camera steady. Olympus cut no corners when building this camera, as the E-P2 seems to be built like a tank with its heavy all metal frame. As I mentioned earlier, the E-P2 uses the same 3.0-inch LCD screen we saw on the previous model. I was hoping they would have bumped up the resolution a bit from 230,000 pixels, however the display still offers a nice clear picture. Like we saw before, the picture can get a bit grainy when shooting in dim lighting. I was very excited to see the new VF-2 viewfinder, which attaches to the flash hot shoe. This is a Very nice EVF, offering incredible resolution and clarity. The 1.15x magnification offers a nice large eye picture, and the soft rubber eye cup is comfortable, and blocked out a good amount of the ambient light. It also tilts up to 90 degrees, which further enhances the E-P2's framing capabilities. Olympus continues to offer an abundance of optional accessories, like the new EMA-1 external microphone adapter... ”
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 18 October 2009 |
“ Buy this camera if:
- You want a compact digital camera with interchangeable lenses, raw file capture plus in-camera image stabilisation and effective dust reduction technology.
- You're comfortable with Olympus's convoluted user interface.
Don't buy this camera if:
- You require fast autofocusing. (Long capture lag times and slow burst capture make shooting moving subjects tricky.)
- You require a wide dynamic range in JPEG shots.
- You require longer focal lengths than the system currently offers and don't want to use the larger Four Thirds System lenses, which require an optional adapter and may upset the overall shooting balance on the small E-P1 body... ”
PhotoReview's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
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