iSyndica

This entry was written by Patrick Dean, editor of the photography news and review website, Neutralday.com.

Olympus has expanded their Pen line of digital cameras with the introduction of the E-P2. Internally and externally, the E-P2 remains largely the same camera, so current E-P1 owners need not fret excessively. Still the E-P2 does go toward addressing some issues with the E-P1, and according to Olympus, the new all black body will be more appealing to a certain sector of their camera market (men).

The most notable addition to the E-P2 is the addition of an accessory port on the back of the E-P2 which allows the connection of a key accessory, the new VF-2 viewfinder. The VF-2 provides 1.15x magnification, a 100% field of view, attaches to the hot shoe, and features a tiltable design. In addition, the accessory port also allows an external stereo microphone to be attached, which means the E-P2 becomes a very small and versatile movie recording device.

Other additions include a new tracking AF system, with an implementation similar to some facial recognition AF systems. The E-P2 will throw a box around the desired focal object and track it as it moves in the composition. Also added are two new art filters (diorama and cross process) and full manual control over aperture and shutter during movie mode.

Unchanged is the lack of internal flash, single point AF performance, and LCD resolution, notable only because of a certain Panasonic DMC-GF1’s advantages in these regards.

The Olympus E-P2 will be available in December and cost $300 more than the E-P1, but that does include the new VF-2 viewfinder.

For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.