Cameras

Field Review: Olympus PEN E-P2 (Day 1)

Vincent M. Pastore
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09/03/2010
3 Mins read

Last Updated on 09/03/2010 by

Though the Olympus PEN E-P2has been available for quite some time now, we’ve finally got our hands on it for review. As an Olympus user, the purpose of this field review will be to provide readers with a different perspective on the camera based upon being an Olympus shooter, as I have an E-510. So, let’s begin.

Tech Specs

The E-P2has a 12MP High Speed Live MOS sensor which has delivered nothing but clear and beautiful images during my first day of using the camera. It has a 3.0″ 230,000 pixel TFT LCD screen that supports Live View at  60 FPS which is pretty close to how the human eye actually sees. The E-P2 is also capable of 720p HD video at 30 FPS. In addition it has one SD Card slot, and it can come bundled with a Zuiko 17mm F2.8 lens.  The camera also has Art Filters which can be used in both camera and video modes. For those who may not know what Art Filters are, they are a shooting mode in which the user can add special effects to their photos straight from the camera itself.

Ergonomics

The E-P2has a very natural feel. Like most cameras, your hand just molds to it. In terms of shooting, it feels good whether you’re shooting horizontally or vertically. This is important in many situations when you want to get that perfect shot, but you don’t want to have to feel awkward doing it. So, it’s important that the camera feels good in your hands. The button layout is a huge plus because of its ease of access and user-friendly design.

When it comes to transporting the camera the body itself is very compact. I also received the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 Lenswith the camera and it fits just fine in my Olympus bag right alongside my E-510DSLR. You could even try carrying it in your pocket.

Additionally, the camera will be tested with Olympus FL-36flash.

Button Layout

The buttons on the E-P2are the same as the E-P1, but if you’re someone who has not used either camera before, it may take some getting used to. One of the things that I had to get used to, although it did not take very long at all, is the way the  exposure and f-stop is adjusted. With the exposure dial being circular and the f-stop dial being cylindrical, you roll from left to right and vice versa. What the user may like about these dials though is that it makes menu navigation and item selection a lot faster, which is something I will get to later on in this field review.

During my time with it, the image stabilization, shooting format, and color saturation, among other things, were manipulated. Of course, my choices will differ from yours, and I will be exploring these settings and features in greater depth as the field review continues.

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