Olympus E-P2 and two Micro Four Thirds zooms

Welcome back to the PEN story and the next chapter: “Back to Black”. This latest retro-chic digital Olympus PEN builds on EISA’s 2009/2010 “Best Camera of the Year”, an icon of style and quality. To enrich photographic potential, the new E-P2 includes a port for an electronic viewfinder or external microphones. Two additional Art Filters combine with the new i-Enhance function for yet more creativity and image enhancement. Two new Micro Four Thirds lenses are due in the first half of 2010: the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 (18-36mm*) super wide-angle zoom and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 (28-300mm*) high-power telephoto zoom lenses. Cloaked in classic black, the hybrid photo and HD movie Olympus PEN boldly brings fun and simplicity back to SLR quality. It’s the next exciting chapter in a photographic story that is set to run and run. Available from January 2010 for £850 including the electronic viewfinder.

The Olympus E-P2 builds on its coveted predecessor’s wealth of high-performance temptations. “With the first PEN, many journalists and experts already told us that we had defined a totally new camera segment. Adding superb new features like an accessory port, viewfinder and new Art Filters has made an already incredible camera even better” explains Mark Thackara, National Marketing Manager at Olympus UK. This retro-cool model is finished in classic black and will become available from January 2010 at a price of £849 including the electronic viewfinder. An optional, matching black leather body jacket will also be on offer.

The Olympus E-P2 – main features:

Small & stylish design

• Extremely small and light-weight Micro Four Thirds System
• Stylish design with black metal finish
• Accessory port to clip-on electronic viewfinder and microphone adapter

SLR image quality

• 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
• TruePic V image processor
• Built-in IS with max. 4 EV steps efficiency
• Adapter for all ZUIKO DIGITAL & OM lenses

Easy operation

• Live Control GUI for intuitive handling & real-time views of effects
• Automatic recognition of common scenes possible with i-Auto
• i-Enhance function to boost colours
• Clear skin with e-Portrait
• AF Tracking
• Two dials for easy handling
• Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology
• 20 shooting modes (5 exposure, i-Auto, 14 scene modes)

Creativity & HD Movie

• HD Movie with stereo sound featuring depth of field and Art Filters now available in M-mode
• 8 Art Filters, Multi-Aspect ratios
• Multi Exposure function
• Art Filters can be applied to previously taken RAW images in the camera and with Olympus software
• Enhanced creativity with special lenses e.g. fisheye is available via Four Thirds lens adapter

Additional features of the Olympus E-P2:

• Based on the Micro Four Thirds Standard
• HDMI interface
• Linear PCM sound recording
• Level gauge
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface
• 3fps with sequential shooting (max. 10 in RAW mode)
• ISO 100-6400
• Bracketing functions for white balance and exposure
• Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system
• Wide dynamic range in highly lit areas
• Simultaneous writing of RAW and JPEG
• SD memory card slot (SDHC compatible)
• High-speed data writing and lossless RAW compression
• 7.6cm/3.0” HyperCrystal LCD
• AE/AF lock functionality
• Auto gradation adjustment to prevent blown highlights and
• blocked-in shadows
• Remote release possible via the optional remote cable RM-UC1

New accessories:

• M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 super wide-angle zoom lens (first half of 2010)
• M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 high-power telephoto zoom lens (first half of 2010)
• Leather strap in black
• Leather body jacket in black

* 35mm equivalent