Hardware

The all new Pen E-P2 by Olympus comes with with 12-megapixel, interchangeable-lens is the second Micro Four-Thirds camera. This model has the same decent-looking, old design as its predecessor that is Olympus Pen E-P1, but with some unique and enhanced in-camera modes and also includes an attachable, eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF).

The Olympus Pen E-P2 comes in two kit configurations :
With a 14mm-to-42mm f3.5-to-f5.6 M. Zuiko ED zoom lens
With a 17mm f2.8 M. Zuiko pancake lens.

Although it is approximately of the same size as Lumix DMC-GF1 by Panasonic, there are some important features which distinguish the Pen E-P2 from the other similar models from its competitors. The only disadvantage of this model is that E-P2 lacks an in-build flash; but unlike the Lumix DMC-GF1, it does have in-built stabilization, which means you don't need stabilized lenses to get that feature. The eye-level EVF is also a notable difference.

The Pen E-P2 is also more expensive, sold at approximately Rs.50,000/- as a kit with the either lense. The price is the only factor at the moment that puts it well beyond the realm of most entry-level DSLR Cameras as many of which cost less than Rs.32,000/- at this point. What you get in exchange is the more-compact size of the Olympus Pen E-P2, the ability to shoot 720p HD video, and entertaining in-camera and most fun features.

A new feature which makes this camera so hard to put down is An Art Filter mode, known as Diorama mode, mimics the effects of a tilt-shift lens and makes full-size objects look like miniature models. It is fun to experiment with this feature mode in different landscapes.

The Diorama mode :

Olympus Pen EP-2 Diorama mode, You can also apply the Diorama mode and any of its seven other Art Filters when you're using the camera to record a 720p video. That means, you will have some limitations. First of which is, when you are shooting in Diorama mode, the camera will do a lot of real-time processing which will make the live-view finder feeds notably jumpy. Second one is, the camera shoots at 15 frames per second and then with time speeds up to 30 fps. Thus its footage resuslts like an ancient movie.

Shooting video in HD mode without an art filter is totally a different thing. The action is smooth, and the vibrant footages are shoot with great color saturation. The Pen E-P2 shots brighter and better-exposed still images and videos as compared to other same range models.

There are a lot of other features beyond the E-P2's compact size for advanced photographers. The E-P2 also shoots RAW image format as well as other formats like JPEG, while giving you full manual control for both still images and videos. You also have mode-dial access to aperture priority settings and shutter priority.

The controls are nicely implemented. You can adjust aperture settings, using a thumb-controlled scroller on the back while pressing or scrolling the four-way directional pad navigates the menu. You have a lot of options for navigating the camera's settings; the arrangement can be as complex as you want it to be, but it also has very easy-to-use auto modes, scene modes, and Art Filters.

At Rs.50,600/-, the Olympus Pen E-P2 is also significantly more expensive than an entry-level DSLR, and with a DSLR you get a true optical viewfinder, a bigger sensor, and a wider array of lens options. To put it bluntly, however, this is one of the most fun-to-use cameras I've ever picked up. Stay tuned for a complete review, including the full range of PCWorld Labs imaging test results, in the coming weeks.