New Olympus Pen E-PL5 and E-PM2 Mirrorless Cameras and Primes, XZ-2 Point-and-Shoot
Olympus has announced the new 16MP Pen E-PL5 and E-PM2 mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras with 4/3 Live MOS sensors, along with two new compatible primes: a special edition M.ZUIKO 12mm f/2.0 and a macro 60mm f/2.8. Also new is the Olympus XZ-2, a 12MP point-and-shoot camera with a fast 4x wide-angle f/1.8 28-112mm lens, a BSI CMOS sensor and a swivel 3” OLED display.
Both of the new Pen System cameras feature the same sensor, mount and TruePic VI processor that’s found in the Olympus OM-D E-M5. Rapid autofocus is crucial, so the cameras are equipped with the F.A.S.T. autofocus system, which stands for Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology. They’re capable of shooting 8 fps, and both feature in-body image stabilization, 12 in-camera art filters, a maximum ISO of 25600 and they can record 1080i HD video. The external FL-LM1 flash is included with both models. While the E-PL5 and E-PM2 share some features and functionalities, there are qualities that set them apart, which are explained below.
The Olympus Pen E-PL5
The speed of the E-PL5 is carried through to its 3” flip portrait LCD touch screen, which provides immediate response for autofocus and shutter, enabling you to focus and fire off a shot with the tap of a finger. Its F.A.S.T. AF has face and eye detection. The touch screen flips upward for low angles of view, and can be positioned so you can stand in front of the lens and shoot self portraits. The E-PL5 features an accessory port and is available in Black, White and Silver.
Both of the new Olympus prime lenses are compatible with the Pen camera systems. The wide 12mm fixed focal length M.ZUIKO has a fast f/2.0 aperture and 0.5x magnification. The 60mm fixed focal length macro features an f/2.8 aperture. Both lenses are constructed with ED glass, which helps to reduce chromatic aberrations.
These products were just announced and are available for pre-order now at B&H.
The Olympus Pen E-PL5
The speed of the E-PL5 is carried through to its 3” flip portrait LCD touch screen, which provides immediate response for autofocus and shutter, enabling you to focus and fire off a shot with the tap of a finger. Its F.A.S.T. AF has face and eye detection. The touch screen flips upward for low angles of view, and can be positioned so you can stand in front of the lens and shoot self portraits. The E-PL5 features an accessory port and is available in Black, White and Silver.
In addition to having a large 16MP 4/3 Live MOS sensor, the new E-PM2 has a dedicated button for the Live Guide feature. Live Guide allows you to view different effects on the LCD in real time. The 3” touch screen on the E-PM2 has a responsive vertical bar that helps you navigate. This camera has iAuto exposure mode and 23 scene select modes. It’s outfitted with a built-in grip, which wasn’t available on the previous version of this camera, the E-PM1. The new E-PM2 is available in Black, White, Red and Silver.
Both of the new Olympus prime lenses are compatible with the Pen camera systems. The wide 12mm fixed focal length M.ZUIKO has a fast f/2.0 aperture and 0.5x magnification. The 60mm fixed focal length macro features an f/2.8 aperture. Both lenses are constructed with ED glass, which helps to reduce chromatic aberrations.
The Olympus XZ-2 Fast Point and Shoot
The new XZ-2 is the latest addition to the Olympus X Series of cameras. It’s a fast point-and-shoot camera with a fixed iZUIKO 4x-wide optical zoom lens that has an aperture range of f/1.8-2.5, with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-96mm. The sensor is a 12MP 1/1.63” back-side illuminated CMOS. Like the new Pen cameras, it’s equipped with the TruePic VI image processor, but unlike those cameras, the XZ-2 can record full 1080p HD video (as opposed to 1080i) and has a dedicated movie button. It’s rounded off with a 3” swivel touch LCD, dual image stabilization, iHS technology, in-camera panorama, 11 digital art filters and an accessory port.
| E-PL5 | E-PM2 | ZX-2 | |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds (2x Crop Factor) |
Micro Four Thirds (2x Crop Factor) | None, fixed lens |
| Pixels | 16 Megapixel | 16 Megapixel | 12 Megapixel |
| Sensor | MOS, 17.3 x 13mm | MOS, 17.3 x 13mm | 1/1.63" CMOS |
| Image Processor | TruePic VI | TruePic VI | TruePic VI |
| File Formats | JPEG, MPO, RAW | JPEG, MPO, RAW | Not Specified |
| Max. Resolution | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Image Stabilization | Yes, in body | Yes, in body | Optical & Digital |
| Lens | M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5 | M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5 |
11 elements in 8 groups EFL: 6.0-24.0 mm (35mm equivalent: 24-96 mm) Aperture: f/1.8 (W) - 2.5 (T) |
| Filter Thread | Front: 40.5mm | Front: 40.5mm | None |
| Zoom | Not Specified | Not Specified | Optical: 4x Digital: 4x |
| Focus Range | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| ISO Sensitivity | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 25600 | 100-6400 |
| Shutter | Not Specified | Not Specified | Type: Mechanical Speed: 2.0 - 1/2000 sec |
| Exposure Metering | Not Specified | Not Specified | Center-weighted, Digital ESP, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Not Specified | Not Specified | Modes: Aperture Priority, Auto, Low Light, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority Compensation: -2 EV to +2 EV (in .33 EV steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Not Specified | Not Specified | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Underwater |
| Burst Rate | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Self Timer | Not Specified | Not Specified | 2 Sec, 12 Sec |
| Interval Recording | Not Specified | Not Specified | No |
| Remote Control | Not Specified | Not Specified | RM-UC1 (Optional) |
| Built-in Flash | No, external flash included | No, external flash included | Yes: Auto, Fill-in, Off, Red-eye Reduction, Second-curtain Sync, Slow Sync, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction |
| Effective Flash Range | 10' (3.05 m) ISO200 | 10' (3.05 m) ISO200 | Not Specified |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe | Hot Shoe | Hot Shoe, Wireless |
| Available Colors | Black, White, Silver | Black, White, Silver, Red | Black |
| Memory Card Type | SD SDHC SDXC |
SD SDHC SDXC |
SD SDHC SDXC |
| Video Recording | Yes, NTSC/PAL, 1080i HD | Yes, NTSC/PAL, 1080i HD | Yes, NTSC/PAL, 1080p HD |
| Video Clip Length | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Viewfinder Type | LCD Screen | LCD Screen | LCD Screen |
| Screen | 3" LCD Touch-screen Swivel |
3" LCD Touch Screen |
3" LCD Touch-screen Swivel (614,000 pixels) |
| Software Requirements | Windows: XP, XP (SP2), Vista, Vista (SP1), 7 Mac: OS X 10.3 or later |
Windows: XP, XP (SP2), Vista, Vista (SP1), 7 Mac: OS X 10.3 or later |
Windows: XP, XP (SP2), Vista, Vista (SP1), 7 Mac: OS X 10.3 or later |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, with optional transmitter | Yes, with optional transmitter | Not Specified |
| Operating/Storage Temperature | Not Specified | Not Specified | Operating 32 to 104 °F (0 to 40 °C) Humidity: 30 - 90% Storage 68 to 140 °F (20 to 60 °C) Humidity: 10 - 90% |
| Battery | Not Specified | Not Specified | LI-50B Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
| AC Power Adapter | Not Specified | Not Specified | F-3AC (Optional) |
| Dimensions | 2.44 x 1.71" (6.2 x 4.34 cm) |
Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Weight | 5.29 oz (150 g) | Not Specified | Not Specified |
