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Olympus PEN E-P2

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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
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  1. Excellent
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  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.1
based on all reviews
User ratings:
36
4.3 out of 5
36 user ratings
5 stars
44 %
4 stars
38 %
3 stars
16 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
24
  1. See more
3.8 out of 5
11 user ratings
5 stars
36 %
4 stars
36 %
3 stars
27 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • high-quality video and still-image quality
  • excellent performance of the E-P1
  • it works here nicely

Cons

  • produced lower noise than the earlier camera at every ISO
  • E-P2 lacks the Panasonic s built-in flash
  • Olympus is paying close attention to product refinement

Key specs

  • Live MOS
  • Four Thirds
  • 17.3x13 mm
  • 12 Mpx
  • 4032, 3024 px
  • Micro Four Thirds
  • Continuous, Single
  • 3.0 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Olympus

Olympus PEN E-P2 - Pros & Cons

Olympus PEN E-P2

Pros

  • high-quality video and still-image quality
  • excellent performance of the E-P1
  • it works here nicely
  • it works well enough
  • Movie shooting has always impressed us with the new Pens
  • handles noise better and gives a better balance of colour
  • the pictures are lovely and sharp
  • Both are feature-rich in the Japanese manner
  • fairly easy to move around the main menu items
  • forest green or earth brown are reproduced wonderfully and foliage or grass is reproduced faithfully
  • Panasonic works well handling relatively hard shadows with ease and giving

Cons

  • produced lower noise than the earlier camera at every ISO
  • E-P2 lacks the Panasonic s built-in flash
  • Olympus is paying close attention to product refinement
  • dials and buttons are as small and crowded
  • shown the ISO level in the display in Auto mode
  • image processing does slow things down
  • there is no way of attaching an external flash
  • Spot metering has completely ignored the sky and exposed for the statue
  • GF1's five-page shooting menu is just too long
  • Multi metering has been stifled by the amount of light pouring in
  • impossible to change cards when a quick release plate is attached

Olympus PEN E-P2 - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
6400
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
12 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4032 x 3024 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Olympus - Video Reviews (7)

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Olympus PEN E-P2 - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeLive MOS
Image sensor formatFour Thirds
Sensor size0.68 in
Sensor photo detectors13.0 Mpx
Effective pixels12.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h4:3
Max resolution4032 x 3024 px
Other resolutions
  • 3200x2400
  • 2560x1920
  • 1600x1200
  • 1280x960
  • 1024x768
  • 640x480
ProcessorTruePic V
Icon
Optics and focus
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds
Optical zoom1.0 x
Digital zoom1.0 x
Magnification (Crop factor)2.0 x
AF assist (auto-focus assist light)no
Focus adjustmentAuto
Contrast autofocusyes
Contrast adjustmentyes
Saturation adjustmentyes
Autofocus in recording modeyes
Focal length multiplier2x
Autofocus
  • Continuous
  • Single
Manual focusyes
Number of focus points11
Image stabiliserBuilt-in
Filter diameter1.46 in
Phase detection autofocusno
Icon
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed60.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Number of exposures3
Exposure compensation plus3
Exposure compensation minus-3
Expousure compensation steps
  • 1/2
  • 1/3
  • 1
AE EV steps
  • 1/3
  • 1/2
  • 2/3
  • 1
Continuous shootingyes
Self-timer delay
  • 2
  • 12
AE frames3
WB Bracketing
Yes
Subject / scene modesyes
Flash sync speed1/180s
Built-in flashyes
Flash modes
  • Auto
  • Fill-in
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Second-curtain Sync
  • Slow Sync
External flash connectionHot shoe
Flash metering systemFP-TTL
External flashyes
Continuous drive3.0 fps
Scene modes
  • Beach
  • Children
  • Close-up
  • Documents
  • Panorama
  • Portrait
  • Sports
  • Landscape
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
3D supportno
Manual settingsyes
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 12
Speed (JPEG)3.0 fps
Speed (RAW)3.0 fps
Exposure bracketing0.3 - 1.0±EV
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Voice recordingyes
Icon
Dimensions
Weight11.46 oz
Width4.75 in
Height2.75 in
Depth1.44 in
Icon
Power
Battery life (CIPA)300
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Battery capacity1150.0 mAh
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingno
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
Calendaryes
Frameyes
Tripod mounting supportedyes
Image editing modes
  • Resizing
  • Rotating
  • Trimming
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 200
  • 400
  • 800
  • 1600
  • 3200
  • 6400
  • Auto
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum100
ISO maximum6400
Maximum image resolution4032 x 3024 px
White balance presets8
White balance modes
  • Cloudy
  • Daylight
  • Fluorescent
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formats
  • JPEG
  • RAW
Photo effects
  • Black&White
  • Muted
  • Neutral
  • Sepia
  • Vivid
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeSensor-shift
Supported aspect ratios4:3
Uncompressed formatRAW
HDRno
AEB/HDR supportyes
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDno
Screen technologyLCD
Screen dots230000
Touch screenno
Field of view100.0 %
Live viewyes
ViewfinderElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100.0 %
Viewfinder magnification7.0 x
Separate info displayno
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1280 x 720 px
Video recordingyes
HD typeHD
Supported video file formatsAVI
Analog signal format system
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Camera playback
  • Movie
  • Single image
  • Slide show
Max frame rate (highest resolution)30.0 fps
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeSLR
Body materialMetal
Colour of product
  • Black
  • Silver
Anti-dust systemyes
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
Icon
Connectivity
Mini HDMI type-Cyes
HDMI ports quantity1
USB version2.0
DC-in jackno
Remote controlyes
PictBridgeyes
NFCno
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)no
Firewireno

Olympus PEN E-P2 - Q&A

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Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus - Editorial Reviews (24)

3.8
Based on 24 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus Pen E-P2 digital camera
Pocket-lint logo
Pocket-lint
Published: 04.02.2010
Olympus Pen E-P2 digital camera
4.5

The range of options is impressive, whether you are a novice attracted to the design, or an enthusiast looking for a more compact camera with plenty

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus Pen E-P2 review
Amateur Photographer logo
Amateur Photographer
Olympus Pen E-P2 review
3.0

Wasting no time at all, Olympus has updated its Pen E-P1 camera just five months after it was released. Richard Sibley tests the Olympus Pen E-P2 to find out what has been changed

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus E-P2 Review | Camera Decision
Camera Decision logo
Camera Decision
Published: 22.04.2010
Olympus E-P2 Review | Camera Decision
2.7

Olympus E-P2 is a 12.0MP Entry-Level Mirrorless camera with a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor and Micro Four Thirds mount. Read our E-P2 review to find its pros and cons.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus E-P2 Quick Review
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 04.05.2010
Olympus E-P2 Quick Review
3.5

This is the second of our new 'Quick Reviews.' We will be using this format for cameras that are operationally similar and identical in terms of output to models we've already reviewed. We test to confirm the image quality is identical (noise tests and shots of our 'compared to' studio scene at all ISOs), then concentrate the review on the differences between the two cameras. To learn everything about the camera you are interested in we recommend reading not only the Quick Review but also the full review of the sister camera - in this case the Olympus E-P1.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Gadling gear review - first look at the new Olympus E-P2 - Gadling
Gadling logo
Gadling
Published: 18.11.2009
Gadling gear review - first look at the new Olympus E-P2 - Gadling

Santa visited my house early this year, and dropped off the new Olympus E-P2 Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The first Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera, the E-P1, passed through Gadling earlier this year, and left me mighty impressed, so in this first (and very brief) look, we’ll see what the E-P2 has to offer. At first glance, the E-P2 looks identical to the E-P1, albeit in a slightly different color. The E-P1 is available in silver/black and white/tan, and the E-P2 only comes in black. It takes a bit to find any differences, but once you reach the flash hot shoe in the middle, you’ll notice a small connector port below it. This port is in ...

Olympus PEN E-P2 Review: Olympus Pen E-P2
Stuff logo
Stuff
Published: 19.02.2010
Review: Olympus Pen E-P2

This 12.3-megapixel camera is the second Olympus entry into the Micro Four Thirds camera category.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus E-P2 Review - Steve's Digicams
steves-digicams.com logo
steves-digicams.com
Olympus E-P2 Review - Steve's Digicams

First Look posted 11/4/2009 Conclusion and Sample Photos added 2/4/2010 The latest Digital PEN series camera from Olympus, the E-P2 compliments it's predecessor, the E-P1, with some exciting new features. While both cameras share very similar specifications, such as the same 12-megapixel Live MOS image

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus Pen E-P2 review | Best4Reviews.com
best4reviews.com logo
best4reviews.com
Olympus Pen E-P2 review | Best4Reviews.com

Olympus updated its well received Pen E-P1with this, the E-P2 a Micro FourThirds model for the enthusiast snapper for those requiring the flexibility of a system camera without the bulk of a DSLR. But is it an improvement?

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus Pen E-P2
Photo Review logo
Photo Review
Published: 17.02.2012
Olympus Pen E-P2
4.3

The latest Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera provides a clip-on EVF and some improvements on the previous model.Olympus is hoping the improvements provided in the new Pen E-P2 will attract new buyers to its MFT System. However, there have been few major changes since the Pen E-P1. A stylish black finish differentiates the new model from its predecessor. The AF system has been tweaked with a firmware upgrade and enhanced with a new Continuous-Tracking AF function. A new accessory port is provided for the new super high-definition electronic Live Viewfinder (VF-2), which is supplied with the camera.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Camera Test: Olympus PEN E-P2
Popular Photography logo
Popular Photography
Published: 21.03.2019
Camera Test: Olympus PEN E-P2

Refinements to Micro Four Thirds show a system worth investing in.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Review: Olympus PEN E-P2
The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald
Published: 16.02.2010
Review: Olympus PEN E-P2

A sweet compromise between size and quality, the image quality from the E-P twins is superb.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus E-P2 Review
Imaging Resource logo
Imaging Resource
Published: 19.04.2010
Olympus E-P2 Review
4.5

Olympus E-P2 review, find out how the E-P2 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus ‘PEN’ E-P2 | Cameralabs
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Cameralabs
Published: 02.06.2011
Olympus ‘PEN’ E-P2 | Cameralabs

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus E-P2 Field Review - Luminous Landscape
Luminous Landscape logo
Luminous Landscape
Published: 13.01.2009
Olympus E-P2 Field Review - Luminous Landscape

FacebookTweet Regular readers might recall that I have not been a big fan of the Four Thirds format. The reason was simply that it seemed...

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P2 Review
Digital Photography School logo
Digital Photography School
Published: 06.06.2010
Olympus PEN E-P2 Review
4.0

Just as this camera arrived on the reviewing desk another PEN was announced: the PEN E-PL1. With three PENs now out there, I could almost hear the old song … ‘Every time it rains, it rains PEN-Es from heaven.” Sorry for the corn! Olympus first broke away from the crowd with its first Micro Four

Often compared with Olympus PEN E-P2