Olympus today is announcing their latest PEN model cameras. The Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2 replace the E-PL3 and E-PM1 accordingly and bring a couple of new features and updates to the product line. Not long ago, I actually had hands on time with the cameras but the images were lost when the SD card I shot on became corrupted.
Either way, one of the most notable updates to the PEN camera line is the fact that they will have software to work specifically with the Toshiba Flash Air cards to wirelessly transmit photos. Originally, the card was supposed to come bundled but in between the time that we received the briefing and the announcement, the company gave us this statement, “Due to extenuating circumstances, the Toshiba Flash Air card will not be bundled with the new PEN cameras upon immediate distribution. Although plans are still a work in progress, our plan is to offer a rebate for a free card with the purchase of either an E-PL5 or E-PM2. All the new cameras menus and the app will still be optimized for the card.”
Now let’s take a look at some of the other specs.
E-PM2
– 16.1 MP sensor (same as the OMD’s)
– Max ISO of 25,600 (starts at 200)
– Still designed to basically be shot in auto
– The user will need to go through menus to change most features in the camera.
– Touchscreen 3 inch 460k Dot resolution
– Olympus PEN E-PM2 Body Only Estimated Street Price: $549.99
– Olympus PEN E-PM2 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Prime Zoom Lens
– Estimated Street Price: $599.99
– New water color art filter
– Fine tuning of the size of the AF target
– 35 AF points
– 1080i HD video
– Olympus PEN E-PM2 (Available in silver, black, white and red).
E-PL5
– 16.1 MP sensor
– Removable grips, but not the same as the EP-3’s.
– Flip up screen like Sony’s NEX F3
– New water color art filter
– Fine tuning of the size of the AF target
– 35 AF points
– 1080i HD video
– Olympus PEN E-PL5 Body Only Estimated Street Price: $649.99
– Olympus PEN E-PL5 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO® DIGITAL ED m14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens
– Estimated Street Price: $699.99
– Olympus PEN E-PL5 (Available in silver, black and white).
