Olympus PEN E-P2 Micro Four Thirds System digital camera

There’s no price yet, but the second Micro Four Thirds System interchangeable lens digital camera from Olympus, the PEN E-P2, is headed our way in December 2009.

Micro Four Thirds System cameras are a relatively new category, fitting in the gap between digital compact camera and digital SLR cameras. It’s a stye of camera that first appeared right around the beginning of the global financial crisis, so the few models that have so far appeared have been priced a little on the high side.

The PEN E-P2 has a 4/3-inch, 12.3-megapixel high speed Live MOS Sensor, a new TruePic V image processing engine, and a built-in image stabiliser. In addition to taking still shots the PEN E-P2 takes video – in 16:9 aspect ratio at 1280 x 720, at 30 frames per second, and in 4:3 the video is 640 x 480, at 30 frames per second. And if you want to hook up the camera to a TV, you can do so using the HDMI output. With the camera’s HDMI control feature you can control playback using your TV’s remote control.

Features

  • High-speed imager AF for responsive live view shooting
  • iAUTO fully automatic shooting mode selection based on scene analysis
  • Choice of 4 aspect ratios
  • Live view double exposure function with simultaneous display of current scene and previously captured image
  • Reliable dust reduction system
  • HDMI output for high-quality image and movie playback
  • Multi-Mix Slideshow playback with background music
  • e-Portrait function for smooth rendering of skin texture
  • Face Detect & Shadow Adjust Technology for beautifully exposed portraits and group photos
  • Shadow Adjustment Technology to prevent blown highlights and blocked-in shadows
  • MF Assist function for manual focusing with auto image magnification
  • Live View level gauge display
  • High-precision 324-zone evaluative metering system

New lenses

In addition to the new camera, Olympus announced two new Micro Four Thirds System lenses:

  • ultra wide-angle zoom lens (35mm format equivalent 18-36mm F4.0-5.6)
  • high-magnification ultra zoom lens (35mm equivalent 28-300mm F4.0-5.6)

No prices on the lenses yet, but then they’re only being released in the first half of 2010.