Olympus PEN E-PM2 Review

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Olympus PEN E-PM2 information: Although we tested both the Olympus PEN E-PM2 and the PEN E-PL5, the review below is based on our time spent with E-PL5. Both cameras are near identical in features and performance, and the observations made also apply to E-PM2. We noted the differences in the review.

For users upgrading from a simple point-and-shoot to an interchangeable lens camera, the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 (and its sibling the PEN Mini E-PM2) is a very good camera to transition to. Out of the box, the E-PL5 takes great photos. It does take time, however, to learn some of the features of the camera, for which there are plenty. Plenty of settings and a deep menu mean there’s a lot to explore with the camera, but users entering the ILC category for the first time will discover new ways to shoot with this Micro Four Thirds camera.

Features and design

The E-PL5 has a simple design that doesn’t vary a whole lot from other cameras in the PEN series; while it doesn’t have as much of a retro styling as the E-P3, the similar classic cues are noticeable. But the fact that it’s a slimmed-down mirrorless camera that offers many of the benefits of a larger DSLR is a welcome feature – just don’t expect it to work exactly like a DSLR. If you’ve ever lugged around a cumbersome camera on your most recent vacations and outings, you will immediately appreciate the E-PL5’s smaller size and lighter weight. The camera weighs in at less than 16 ounces, so it’s much easier to tote. But its Live MOS sensor is larger than a typical point-and-shoot, allowing it to capture better image quality (although smaller than that of a compact DSLR or mirrorless offerings from Sony and Canon). As an interchangeable lens camera, you have a selection of Micro Four Thirds lenses – from macro to super-telephoto – to choose from, which enhances the types of photos you can shoot while retaining a user experience not unlike a point-and-shoot camera.

What the E-PL5 has that the E-PM2 doesn’t is a tilting LCD (up to 170 degrees), a mode dial, a larger grip that comes off the camera body if you want to shave a few grams, and a few more function buttons. If you can live without those extras, save yourself $100 and go with the E-PM2. We like the tilting LCD as it lets you get a better vantage by aiming the camera and adjusting the screen so you can see when you’re shooting with the camera high and low. It also lets you see yourself when taking self-portraits if you flip the screen up to the full amount. The angled screen is also useful for reviewing photos or showing photos to friends on the camera. We were sold on this feature, but ask yourself, is it essential if you are on a budget? Both displays are touch sensitive and responsive, which makes navigating through menus, selecting items, or playing back photos easy. On the E-PM2, however, some of the screen real estate is eaten up by the menu options.

The E-PL5 uses Olympus’ FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) AF System to autofocus quickly by assigning 35 separate focus points within the field of a picture. It also has face and eye detection, so it can identify the subject and make sure it’s focused on a person, rather than another object in the photo. If it’s the object you want, you can use manual focus to get the picture right.

What’s in the box

Contents were the same for both cameras. Both come with some standard goods such as the strap, lithium-ion battery, battery charger, and cables. The cameras we tested came with a M.ZUIKO Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R kit lens. An external flash that attaches to the hot shoe was also included.

The lens is versatile for day-to-day shooting, but it is on the big side. The reason is that, unlike other zoom lenses that retract in and out, this kit lens stays physically extended. While the camera is still highly portable, the lens does make the camera a little bulky after a while.

The E-PM2 carries a list price of $600 with a 14-42mm kit lens.

Performance and use

When we turned on the camera and began to play with it we noticed some of the strengths right away. We used the automatic and semi-automatic settings as most users of this camera would. A few casual images snapped around the house with natural light appeared much brighter than similar shots taken with our DSLR that’s a few years old. As Olympus claims, we found the autofocusing to be relatively fast. This camera typically doesn’t exhibit any large lags between shots, except in the case of low light and using special effects. Video performance was smooth and stayed in focus and sound quality was also good, but the camera’s strength lies more in still photos.

While the camera performs well in low-light settings, it does need light, obviously. We braved the cold to take a picture of the full moon over a lake in near darkness; besides the light emanating from the moon, there was light from the window behind us. The camera wasn’t able to get a decent photo of the moon. A better shot would have required a tripod and some well-chosen manual settings.

In other low-light pictures, in the warmth of indoors, we were able to get very clear shots that appeared in crisp focus. However, the photos took on the reds and oranges of the available light, which affected the coloring of the photos. We didn’t see too much noise in most of the shots.

Both cameras offer art filters that add effects like sepia, black and white, polarization, and the soft lighting used in portraits. These effects are widely available in photo editing software, but the camera lets you snap pictures with the effect in use. It’s fun to play with. It will come in handy when you see the perfect photo that you want to apply a grainy black and white effect or a sepia brown filter over the photo. These effects will be familiar with users migrating from simple point-and-shoots, but more advanced users will probably eschew their usefulness.

Conclusions

Both cameras performed well and gave us crisp, focused photos. We were finding it difficult to justify the $100 to spring for the E-PL5 over the E-PM2. But then we started tilting the screen out to review photos or framing the best angle for a shot, and it became a “must have” feature. We also like the settings dial, which is styled more like a DSLR camera; the E-PM2 functions more like more like a point-and-shoot cameras; that means a few extra steps to change from full auto to manual or art effects.

Both cameras are good entries into the Micro Four Thirds category, and will serve new users well. The picture quality and ability to play with a number of settings make it a good choice for photographers who like to tweak shots and play around with different ISO and other settings. If you can live without the extra features, such as a tilting screen and settings dial, you can save a few dollars and go with the Pen Mini E-PM2. Our preference, if you’re going for this price point and feature set, is to spring for the extra features offered with E-PL5.

Highs:

• Fast autofocusing system

• Takes very good photos

• Special effects and filters allow you to take fun pictures

• A slightly more affordable option to the similar E-PL5

Lows:

• Requires playing around to learn features and settings

• Lens is a bit big on what is otherwise a compact camera

• LCD real estate is eaten up by the menu options