Olympus PEN E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera Reviewed
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Building upon the success of the Micro Four Thirds Format E-P2, Olympus has released the PEN E-PL2 digital camera. And I say "building upon" in that Olympus has redesigned the E-PL2 for better ergonomics, and has added a couple of new features that users wanted to see in the original camera (which we'll review a bit later). Interestingly, the Olympus PEN E-PL2 is also a cheaper camera than its predecessor. At least $100 to $150 less (as of this writing), the PEN E-PL2 digital camera is a far better bargain than expected, considering it's an upgrade.
Olympus, in its official documents, describes the E-PL2 camera as being aimed at a more novice photographer than seen with the E-P2, but with the upgrades available to the camera, it can be difficult to find the differences that make the E-P2 a better camera. But we'll do that, and more in our review of the E-PL2 micro four thirds camera below!
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera for Sale at Amazon
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 12 MP CMOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
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How Olympus achieved to make a high-end camera into something they can classify as more novice lays mostly in the design of the camera body. The PEN E-PL2 camera is more compact than the other micro four thirds cameras that Olympus produces, giving it the nice feeling that you receive from a point-and-shoot. Frankly in our opinion the newly designed camera looks better with slight curves to the edges instead of the boxy look that Olympus achieved in previous cameras.
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 12.3 MP Digital Camera - 14-42 AND 50-140mm ++++
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 12.3 MP Digital Camera - Black (Kit w/ 14mm-42mm Lens)
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Olympus E-PL2 Pen Digital Camera, 12.0 MP, Lens kit (Wh
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Olympus PENPAL Bluetooth Communication Unit for E-PL2 PEN Camera
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 12.3 MP Mirrorless Camera with Lens 14-42 mm Silver 262911
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 12.3 MP Mirrorless Camera with Lens 14-42 mm White 262921
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 BLACK Digital Camera + BLACK 14-42mm Lens !
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Price is also more of a concern at the novice level than for the professional (although I'm sure everyone wants a bargain), and Olympus took that into consideration in the design of the camera as well. The price for the Olympus PEN E-PL2 digital camera is reduced by using plastics for the back of the camera and metal for the front. The E-P2 is a completely metal camera, and thus more expensive. However, the fact that the E-PL2 is mostly plastic does lead to a slightly lighter camera, and thus easier to manage for longer shooting periods.
The sensor inside the Olympus E-PL2 camera more closely resembles the sensor within the much more expensive, professional cameras. With the ability to shoot at 12.3 megapixel resolutions, the Live MOS sensor is around 8 times larger than the sensor found in regular point-and-shoot cameras. The larger the sensor, the more detail the camera can capture in each shot, the better the colors, and the brighter the low light shots will be. The sensor within the PEN E-PL2 camera is also the same sensor residing in the E-P1 and P2, so no lowering of standards here in the cheaper camera!
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera Photos
Unlike the first micro four thirds cameras, the Olympus PEN E-PL2 camera does include an integrated flash. The hot shoe is there for those who already own an E-system flash module (like the FL-50 or FL-36), but again for the newbies to micro four thirds cameras, the pop-up flash is easy to use and is quite capable of providing enough flash in most instances.
The Olympus E-PL2 camera also serves as a video camera or camcorder, should you want to record instead of shoot photos. The camera does feature the ability to record in HD in 720p mode at up to 30 frames per second. It is hampered by only being able to record for 7 minutes at a time at 720p. However, for longer films, just switch to 640x480 mode, and the camera increases to a 14 minute recording capacity.
As the technology for micro four thirds increases, we're sure to see even more minor and major changes to the way manufacturers create these wonderfully little cameras. The Olympus PEN E-PL2 camera holds true to what a micro four thirds camera is supposed to offer: namely a smaller camera size that rivals a point-and shoot camera while still creating photos and video at the DSLR performance levels. The PEN E-PL2 attempts to create a bridge between the point-and-shoot crowd with a bargain priced camera that is every bit as capable of creating outstanding work as those same cameras which are double the price!
Take a look at the Olympus PEN E-PL2 micro four thirds camera above and see for yourself if this camera is the right one for you to start your own journey into the higher levels of photography!
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera Specs
* Model / ASIN: 262901 / B004HO59M4
* Colors Available: Black, Silver, or Red
* Body: Plastic back and surrounds with a metal plate in the front
* Resolution: 12.3 megapixels using a Live MOS sensor
* Lens: Typically sold with a M.Zuiko ED 14mm-42mm lens with f/3.5-f/5.6 aperture; can be purchased "body only"; takes any M. Zuiko micro four thirds lens or any other brand micro four thirds lens if using an adapter
* Video Recording: Video recording is HD capable with 720p resolution at 30 frames per second; switch to 640x480 for lower quality but longer film time (14 minutes compared to 7 minutes)
* Continuous Shooting: 16 frames at 3.2 frames per second
* Shutter Speed: 60 seconds to 1/4000 of a second
* ISO: 200 to 6400 in auto mode; 100 to 6400 in manual mode
* Viewfinder: Optional viewfinder sold separately
* LCD: 3" LCD which includes Live View capabilities and displays 100 percent of the frame being shot
* Flash: Pop-up flash is built into the top left of the camera; hot show design for additioal E-system flash units
* File Format: RAW, RAW+JPEG, or JPEG for still photos; AVI JPEG for movie files
* File Storage: Internal memory is minimal so it's recommended to purchase new memory cards for this camera; Compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards; Class 6 is recommended
* Outputs: Mini HDMI (x1); USB (x1); A/V (x1)
* Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (model #BLS-5)
* Dimensions: 4.54" x 2.86" x 1.65" (W x H x D) and weighs 11.18 ounces without the battery and memory card (12.77 ounces with the battery)
* Release Date: January 2011
Reference
Review: Olympus Pen E-PL2 - Cameras - CNET Asia
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Olympus PEN E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera Youtube Video Review
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B. Daniels is the lead review expert with Find Cheap Bargains. B. was more than likely the person responsible for the hands-on review of every product on the site. He also spends time searching for sale bargains when not conducting and writing the reviews.
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