New Entry-Level PEN camera
Improved kit Zoom lens and Enhanced Functionality
NEW OLYMPUS PEN E-PL2

Olympus Imaging Corporation announces the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL2. The new E-PL2 is a stylish entry-level compact interchangeable lens camera that shoots still pictures with genuine SLR quality and captures video in High Definition. It is scheduled to go on sale in late February 2011.

Feature Highlights

1. New M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II – A new standard zoom lens with enhanced focusing speed. The redesigned optics of the Olympus MSC technology enables fast, quiet focusing and smooth continuous AF tracking capability for video recording.
2. 3.0-inch LCD display & Hybrid-function input control dials – The new LCD display is 460,000-pixel and the hybrid-function input control dials improves usability.
3. Improved Art Filters - New Art Filter variations that allow users to customise each filter with different moods and effects and an Art Effect function which adds compositional effects to the filters. Included are six (6) Art Filters including the new Dramatic Tone filter.
4. Updated Live Guide user interface - for easy, intuitive adjustment of photographic parameters such as exposure, colour balance, shutter speed and aperture. Now also usable in movie recording mode.

5. New PEN system accessories – new range of easy-to-use lens converters including macro, fisheye and wide-angle, a Bluetooth adaptor and other accessories.

Building upon the SLR-rivalling*1 imaging performance of the first entry level digital PEN camera, the latest Olympus E-PL2 brings enhanced autofocus performance with its new kit lens, a range of significant feature enhancements and new add-on accessories for improved versatility.

At its core, the E-PL2 retains the acclaimed high-performance imaging system of the earlier E-PL1 that uses an SLR-sized 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor and the superb TruePic V processing engine. With a clever retracting lens design originally pioneered by Olympus, the latest M.Zuiko 14-42mm MkII kit lens utilises Olympus’ MSC (Movies and Stills Compatible) lens drive system for significantly improved auto-focusing speed. MSC technology enables near-silent and quick auto-focusing for still photography and smooth continuous auto-focus tracking that is especially important in video recording. The new lens barrel design enables the use of a trio of new and inexpensive lens converters for enhanced lens functionality.

Available in black, silver and red, the E-PL2 camera body is light and highly ergonomic and incorporates the stylish design cues of the higher-range E-P1 and E-P2 models in a comfortably sized compact chassis. For picture composition and playback, the new 460,000 pixel 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen displays brilliant colours and rich tones. The dedicated Movie record button allows users to instantly switch between stills and HD movie recording.

Olympus’ creative Art Filters now in their 5th iteration have made the world of digital special effects available to photographers of all abilities. Art Filters instantly transform ‘ordinary’ scenes into the memorable ones, and the mundane to the artistic. Each filter effect is visible live on the LCD screen before the shot is taken and can be applied to both stills and videos. The new E-PL2 retains popular favourites such as Pop Art, Soft Focus and Grainy Film filters, and adds the latest Dramatic Tone filter. A first for Olympus cameras with Art Filters, Art Filters in the E-PL2 can be varied in mood and intensity, with the further option of ‘Effect’ customisation to combine Filters, or to add a special border. Multi-exposure capability with first-shot live picture overlay adds further creative options. 

A true system camera, the E-PL2’s new Accessory Port 2 enables the use of optional accessories such as the high-resolution VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder, the SEMA-1 Stereo Microphone Set 1, as well as the newly announced Bluetooth-based OLYMPUS PENPAL PP-1 Communication Unit*2 and the MAL-1 Macro Arm Light. Add-on flash units such as the FL-14 or the FL-36R can also be attached using the ISO hot-shoe.

Three*3 new optional lens converters - the FCON-P01 Fisheye Converter, the WCON-P01 Wide Converter and the MCON-P01 Macro Converter – provide the photographer with inexpensive and convenient ways to extend the photographic versatility of the new M. Zuiko 14-42mm MkII kit zoom lens. Additionally, the MCON-P01 Macro Converter is compatible with the M. Zuiko 40-150mm and M. Zuiko 14-150mm.

*1:      In independent test reviews, the E-PL1 demonstrates real world resolution rivalling 18MP APS-C based SLR cameras.
*2:    The OLYMPUS PENPAL Communication Accessory can be connected only to the new Accessory Port 2 in the E-PL2 and future Olympus PEN models. Compatible with devices that either have a Bluetooth BIP or OPP profile. Local availability and support subject to change.
*3:     FCON-P01 Fisheye Converter and WCON-P01 Wide Converter can only be used with the M. Zuiko 14-42mm MkII
     and the MCON-P01 Macro Converter can be used with the M. Zuiko 14-42mm MkII, M. Zuiko 40-150mm and M. Zuiko 14-150mm.

Other feature highlights

Pop-up flash with Wireless Flash control function
Built-in Image Stabilisation (up to 3 shutter speeds capable) for compensation of camera shake with any lens
Proven Olympus SSWF (Supersonic Wave Filter) dust reduction system for worry-free lens changing
Choice of 4 aspect ratios to suit users' creative objectives and display format preferences
Multi-exposure function with simultaneous LCD monitor display
e-Portrait function for smooth rendering of skin texture
Continuous-tracking AF that locks onto subject and tracks movement in the frame
HDMI output for high-quality image and movie playback
High-precision 324-zone evaluative metering system
SDHC/SDXC card compatibility
RM-UC1 Remote Shutter Release Cable compatibility