Olympus PEN E-P2 Review | 108 Data compared

The Amateur Photographer review of the Olympus PEN E-P2 highlights the compact Micro Four Thirds system camera as a stylish, capable alternative to DSLRs that offers high-quality imaging and specialized tools, including advanced highlight/shadow metering and expanded Art Filters. Key enhancements over the previous model include an accessory port for a tiltable electronic viewfinder and external microphone support, though these improvements come at a high price point. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations, such as the absence of a built-in flash, forcing reliance on external accessories. Performance issues include slow contrast-detection autofocus in low light and awkward handling due to a small, imprecise secondary control wheel, making it a costly choice compared to competitors.

The Olympus E-P2 is a compact mirrorless camera that puts a large, DSLR-sized sensor into a portable body to offer low noise, high dynamic range, and a shallow depth-of-field. Its biggest upgrade over the previous model is a new accessory port that lets you attach the included electronic viewfinder or a microphone adapter. The camera boasts strong points like built-in image stabilization that works with any attached lens, a stunningly sharp VF-2 electronic viewfinder, an HD movie mode, and full manual exposure controls for video. It also features fun in-camera Art Filters, an i-Enhance picture mode, and solid build quality with a sophisticated dual-dial control layout. However, the camera has notable weak points because it fails to fix several issues from the older model, including a slow autofocus system and a screen with low resolution. It also lacks a built-in popup flash, and its HD video clips are strictly limited to a short length of around seven minutes each. Furthermore, the high-tech viewfinder adds a lot of extra cost to the package, making the camera much more expensive than its...

The Olympus E-P2 is a beautifully made Micro 4/3 mirrorless camera that is built with sturdy materials and finished in a sleek dark grey color. A major highlight of this model is the new data port on the back. This port lets users connect great accessories like the VF-2 electronic viewfinder, which makes it much easier to focus and compose shots through an eyepiece instead of the back screen. The camera offers snappy autofocus, a fantastic exposure meter, and impressive 720p HD video capability. It is also highly versatile, allowing photographers to easily use third-party lenses, including Leica M lenses, with a simple adapter. However, the reviewer points out a few downsides to using the camera. When using manual focus with adapted third-party lenses, the camera does not automatically magnify the screen to help you focus like it does with native Olympus lenses. The optional electronic viewfinder is not perfect either; it blanks out briefly when you snap a picture and can blur for a millisecond if you pan too quickly. For audio, the small microphone that comes with the...

The Olympus E-P2 improves upon its popular predecessor, the E-P1, by keeping its highly praised retro styling and 12.3-megapixel sensor while fixing several original limitations. The most significant upgrade is the addition of an accessory port that allows shooters to attach an external electronic viewfinder to the top hot-shoe slot. This critical feature enables photography in bright sunlight and provides precise composition control, which is enhanced by a notably faster autofocus system. Built on the compact Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless format, the camera also supports 720p HD video and shoots in both RAW and JPEG formats. However, the camera still comes with a few notable drawbacks. The E-P2 continues to lack a built-in, on-board flash, forcing users to rely on ambient light or external lighting equipment. Additionally, enjoying the benefits of the new electronic viewfinder requires a separate purchase that costs a steep $280. Because the mirrorless body does not have a traditional optical viewfinder, photographers are completely dependent on the back screen or this pricey add-on component to frame their shots.

Olympus PEN E-P2 The Olympus PEN E-P2 is highly praised for its superb, well-made, and diminutive design that combines the manual versatility of a DSLR with the unobtrusive nature of a point-and-shoot camera. It serves as an excellent everyday primary camera, delivering superb image exposure, great 1:1 detail, reliable auto white balance, and impressive low-light performance even when utilizing its slower f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Key pros include its high versatility, its ability to capture usable images up to ISO 1600 and 3200, and a robust 720p HD video mode that uniquely allows for auto-focus tracking, aperture adjustments, and the live application of in-camera art filters while filming. However, the camera has a few notable flaws, most prominently its short battery life and autofocus struggles in challenging environments. The battery runs out quickly, typically lasting for only 250 to 350 shots per charge, which requires users to carry spares. Additionally, the autofocus system tends to fail and keep hunting in low-contrast, low-light situations, though this can be bypassed by switching to manual focus or utilizing a faster lens. Video recording is...

The Olympus E-P2 PEN is a mirrorless, 12.3MP interchangeable lens camera that builds on its predecessor by adding an essential accessory port for the high-specification Epson VF-2 electronic viewfinder (EVF). The reviewer praises the camera's beautiful retro black metal body design, its exceptional out-of-camera JPEG image output with rich Olympus colour fidelity, and the inclusion of creative features like eight in-camera Art Filters. The VF-2 EVF is a major standout pro, offering a clear, bright 100% field of view and 1.15x magnification that allows the user to steady the camera against their head, greatly enhancing the stability and focus accuracy when shooting with legacy manual lenses. However, the E-P2 suffers from several notable ergonomic and functional cons. The contrast-detect autofocus system feels tardy compared to phase-detect systems, the camera lacks a built-in flash or an IR remote control, and the power-hungry EVF noticeably drains the battery life. Ergonomically, the rear buttons are too small for gloved use, the secondary control wheel around the 4-way switch is easily disturbed by accident, and the off-centre tripod bush blocks the battery/card compartment when...

The Olympus E-P2 is lauded for delivering SLR-level image quality in a compact, retro metal body, featuring a highly optimized JPEG engine with excellent high ISO performance up to ISO 3200. Key strengths include a new accessory port for a superb optional electronic viewfinder (VF-2), improved autofocus, in-body image stabilization, and extensive customization options, including dual control dials and art filters. DPReview Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, such as poor dynamic range and highlight clipping at ISO 100, alongside a low-resolution 230k-dot LCD screen that struggles in bright light. Ergonomic issues include a small, awkward rear control dial, a complete lack of a built-in flash, and the inability to disable the "i-Enhance" mode in iAuto.

The Olympus E-P2 field review highlights a compact black metal Micro Four Thirds camera that functions as a highly capable tool for field photographers, especially when paired with its high-resolution VF-2 electronic viewfinder (EVF). A major advantage is its built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, which allows any mounted lens—including third-party Leica M glass—to be fully stabilized. The camera delivers excellent exposure accuracy and reliable image quality up to ISO 1600, along with a highly effective vibrating sensor plate for dust prevention. Additionally, its top-left Mode dial features a smart, low-profile design that effectively prevents accidental setting changes while shooting.

In his Digital Photography School review, Barrie Smith gives the Olympus PEN E-P2 a solid 4 out of 5-star rating. He highlights the camera's core design philosophy, which aims to satisfy the demand for a quality compact device that mirrors the DSLR experience without the associated weight and bulk. A major pro of the E-P2 is its robust build quality, featuring a stainless steel and aluminium body that feels exceptionally solid in the hand. Weighing 600 grams with the 14-42mm kit lens and viewfinder attached, it successfully bridges the gap between pocket compacts and heavy DSLRs. Furthermore, Smith praises the Micro Four Thirds system's attractive lens range that provides excellent creative versatility. However, the review also notes specific areas of compromise regarding its small form factor and configuration. A notable design consideration or con is that the camera relies on a detachable electronic viewfinder to match the full DSLR experience, which adds to the physical dimensions when mounted. While the system provides a highly portable alternative to traditional mirror-box cameras, users must balance the core body weight with these necessary...