Olympus E-PL2 Officially Released

jct us101 · 01-05-2011, 07:40 PM

'E-PL2 Officially Released'

I think the camera looks great, definitely considering buying it. Although the new kit lens extends a lot more than I expected it would. It seems like Olympus has addressed most of the complaints about the E-PL1 and kept the same price at release too.

Anyone else interested in it?

wlachan · 01-05-2011, 08:50 PM

The problem with m4/3 is slow zooms. If I want slow zooms, I would just use my F200EXR. Instead, the Fujifilm X100 caught my attention with its 24/2 lens... until I realized it would cost 1k+.

aleonx3 · 01-05-2011, 09:46 PM

Perhaps, it is just me; the 4/3 aspect ratio just does not appeal to me as it is similar to the P&S sensor - problem getting 4x6 prints. If Olympus ever gets a APS-C sensor into one of those PEN, I will definitely take a serious look.

jct us101 · 01-05-2011, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Perhaps, it is just me; the 4/3 aspect ratio just does not appeal to me as it is similar to the P&S sensor - problem getting 4x6 prints. If Olympus ever gets a APS-C sensor into one of those PEN, I will definitely take a serious look.

They're not going to abandon their Micro Four Thirds format. You can still take photos in 3:2 format too.

Arpe · 01-06-2011, 02:06 AM

I like the idea of these cameras, just not the implementation. For me, it's silly to have a nice small, almost pocketable camera, with large lenses on the front. May as well just have a dslr.

jogiba · 01-06-2011, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Perhaps, it is just me; the 4/3 aspect ratio just does not appeal to me as it is similar to the P&S sensor - problem getting 4x6 prints. If Olympus ever gets a APS-C sensor into one of those PEN, I will definitely take a serious look.

The best m4/3rds camera is the new GH2 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.

Ratmagiclady · 01-07-2011, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by jct us101

Anyone else interested in it?

Not for me, anyway. Just not a good fit. Kind of interesting to watch what they do, though.

séamuis · 01-08-2011, 11:09 AM

I actually think the new design looks 'cheaper' and less interesting than previous models. also, why increase the size of the glass on the screen but keep the LCD panel the exact same size? thats just plan dumb. I have always been giving the pen a close look but it never felt 'right' but now that the X100 will soon be on the scene, I wont give the pen another look.

garyk · 01-26-2011, 12:29 AM

I saw a guy a few days ago with an old nikon 500mm f4.5 and a Lumix and adapter for MF. I could not believe the quality of the shots. I am thinking of trying with Pentax lenses.

unixrevolution · 02-01-2011, 01:49 PM

I am very interested in the EVIL camera wars, mostly because I see myself with a Leica and Pentax setup in the future, and the only camera that can mount both lenses adequately would be an EVIL like the GH2 or E-PL2. You can't get Leica lenses far enough into the mirror box on a Pentax for infinity focus, and you can't get rangefinder coupling on a Pentax lens when mounted to a Leica. With the EVIL cameras the registration distance is short enough for both, with adapters.

A digital body that can shoot Takumars AND Summicrons? Sign me up.

**rparmar** · 02-03-2011, 09:59 AM

I am interested in these cameras in theory, but the practice is something else.

First, the bodies are too expensive, given that you have to shell out for the viewfinder separately. To get a decently fast and well-made lens you have to source the Voigtlander 25/0.95 Nokton. That combo costs £1444. Consider that only gets you a normal lens at equivalent f/2.2 (APS-C).

A Pentax K-x provides higher ISO support, better ergonomics, far more system options, etc. Add a totally manual Pentax lens (say the M 50/1.4) and the kit comes in one thousand pounds cheaper and a couple stops faster. Plus more DOF control. It's about the same weight and not significantly larger; neither setup is going to fit in a pocket.

If instead you go for something compact (isn't that the whole point?) you're restricted to the Panasonic 20/1.7. Using the ultra-slow zooms you may as well have a point'n'shoot for all the control you'll get out of it.

The system fits between stools and not very comfortably.

But if I was to buy it for street shooting I am sure the Olympus E-PL2 + Panasonic 20/1.7 + VF-2 would do a good job, as it should for £879.

**rparmar** · 02-03-2011, 10:02 AM

Before anyone else points it out, I now realise I just compared a normal equivalent on m4/3 (42mmE) to a short tele equivalent on APS-C (75mmE). Sorry. Substitute in whatever Pentax lens you prefer and the system still comes out cheaper.

Pentaxor · 02-03-2011, 08:52 PM

I like the Viewfinder, but not the m4/3 sensor. too narrow for my use.

jct us101 · 02-04-2011, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

A Pentax K-x provides higher ISO support, better ergonomics, far more system options, etc. Add a totally manual Pentax lens (say the M 50/1.4) and the kit comes in one thousand pounds cheaper and a couple stops faster. Plus more DOF control. It's about the same weight and not significantly larger; neither setup is going to fit in a pocket.

I have both. I use my E-P1 much more than my K-x.

jct us101 · 02-04-2011, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

I like the Viewfinder, but not the m4/3 sensor. too narrow for my use.

What do you mean? The sensor is in 4:3 format so it's wider than APS-C.

01-05-2011, 07:40 PM	#1
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	Olympus E-PL2 Officially Released 'E-PL2 Officially Released' I think the camera looks great, definitely considering buying it. Although the new kit lens extends a lot more than I expected it would. It seems like Olympus has addressed most of the complaints about the E-PL1 and kept the same price at release too. Anyone else interested in it?

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01-05-2011, 08:50 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	The problem with m4/3 is slow zooms. If I want slow zooms, I would just use my F200EXR. Instead, the Fujifilm X100 caught my attention with its 24/2 lens... until I realized it would cost 1k+.

01-05-2011, 09:46 PM	#3
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Perhaps, it is just me; the 4/3 aspect ratio just does not appeal to me as it is similar to the P&S sensor - problem getting 4x6 prints. If Olympus ever gets a APS-C sensor into one of those PEN, I will definitely take a serious look.

01-05-2011, 10:23 PM	#4
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793 Original Poster	Originally posted by aleonx3 Perhaps, it is just me; the 4/3 aspect ratio just does not appeal to me as it is similar to the P&S sensor - problem getting 4x6 prints. If Olympus ever gets a APS-C sensor into one of those PEN, I will definitely take a serious look. They're not going to abandon their Micro Four Thirds format. You can still take photos in 3:2 format too.

01-06-2011, 02:06 AM	#5
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	I like the idea of these cameras, just not the implementation. For me, it's silly to have a nice small, almost pocketable camera, with large lenses on the front. May as well just have a dslr.

01-06-2011, 07:18 AM	#6
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by aleonx3 Perhaps, it is just me; the 4/3 aspect ratio just does not appeal to me as it is similar to the P&S sensor - problem getting 4x6 prints. If Olympus ever gets a APS-C sensor into one of those PEN, I will definitely take a serious look. The best m4/3rds camera is the new GH2 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.

01-07-2011, 01:56 PM	#7
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by jct us101 Anyone else interested in it? Not for me, anyway. Just not a good fit. Kind of interesting to watch what they do, though.

01-08-2011, 11:09 AM	#8
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	I actually think the new design looks 'cheaper' and less interesting than previous models. also, why increase the size of the glass on the screen but keep the LCD panel the exact same size? thats just plan dumb. I have always been giving the pen a close look but it never felt 'right' but now that the X100 will soon be on the scene, I wont give the pen another look.

01-26-2011, 12:29 AM	#9
garyk Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	I saw a guy a few days ago with an old nikon 500mm f4.5 and a Lumix and adapter for MF. I could not believe the quality of the shots. I am thinking of trying with Pentax lenses.

02-01-2011, 01:49 PM	#10
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	I am very interested in the EVIL camera wars, mostly because I see myself with a Leica and Pentax setup in the future, and the only camera that can mount both lenses adequately would be an EVIL like the GH2 or E-PL2. You can't get Leica lenses far enough into the mirror box on a Pentax for infinity focus, and you can't get rangefinder coupling on a Pentax lens when mounted to a Leica. With the EVIL cameras the registration distance is short enough for both, with adapters. A digital body that can shoot Takumars AND Summicrons? Sign me up.

02-03-2011, 09:59 AM	#11
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	I am interested in these cameras in theory, but the practice is something else. First, the bodies are too expensive, given that you have to shell out for the viewfinder separately. To get a decently fast and well-made lens you have to source the Voigtlander 25/0.95 Nokton. That combo costs £1444. Consider that only gets you a normal lens at equivalent f/2.2 (APS-C). A Pentax K-x provides higher ISO support, better ergonomics, far more system options, etc. Add a totally manual Pentax lens (say the M 50/1.4) and the kit comes in one thousand pounds cheaper and a couple stops faster. Plus more DOF control. It's about the same weight and not significantly larger; neither setup is going to fit in a pocket. If instead you go for something compact (isn't that the whole point?) you're restricted to the Panasonic 20/1.7. Using the ultra-slow zooms you may as well have a point'n'shoot for all the control you'll get out of it. The system fits between stools and not very comfortably. But if I was to buy it for street shooting I am sure the Olympus E-PL2 + Panasonic 20/1.7 + VF-2 would do a good job, as it should for £879.

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02-03-2011, 10:02 AM	#12
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	Before anyone else points it out, I now realise I just compared a normal equivalent on m4/3 (42mmE) to a short tele equivalent on APS-C (75mmE). Sorry. Substitute in whatever Pentax lens you prefer and the system still comes out cheaper.

02-03-2011, 08:52 PM	#13
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	I like the Viewfinder, but not the m4/3 sensor. too narrow for my use.

02-04-2011, 12:59 AM	#14
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793 Original Poster	Originally posted by rparmar A Pentax K-x provides higher ISO support, better ergonomics, far more system options, etc. Add a totally manual Pentax lens (say the M 50/1.4) and the kit comes in one thousand pounds cheaper and a couple stops faster. Plus more DOF control. It's about the same weight and not significantly larger; neither setup is going to fit in a pocket. I have both. I use my E-P1 much more than my K-x.

02-04-2011, 12:59 AM	#15
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentaxor I like the Viewfinder, but not the m4/3 sensor. too narrow for my use. What do you mean? The sensor is in 4:3 format so it's wider than APS-C.