Dear readers, and here we are with the new Olympus E-PL2! That camera should be announced at CES which starts the January 6th. The camera features the same [shoplink 14832]Olympus E-PL1[/shoplink] sensor but has a completely new design and some new features:
1) The E-PL2 comes along the new 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) kit lens
2) It has a direct movie button
3) A new High resolution 3.0″ LCD (460K Dots)
4) A new Art filter ->Dramatic Tone
5) And it takes pictures up to ISO 6400
6) UPDATED -> It also has a new external Bluetooth module called “PENPAL”. You can attach it on the hot-shoe to instantly send pictures to your Android or Windows mobile phone and share pictures on Flickr, Facebook and other social networks!
The camera will be in Store by February. There is no price indication yet but you should keep following 43rumors and we hope to tell you more soon! Join us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe our RSS feed.
P.S.: There is a Voigtländer lens in Stock on [shoplink 15659]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and the Panasonic GH2 is in Stock at Adorama (CLick here)!
123 Responses
Any photos of the back?
Not yet….but I am almost sure we will receive more pics soon…
ha ha ha, you want to see if it has EVF. I gess no
It does look like there might be room for one, but my guess is no, too.
well… looks nice, at least. If only it had ISO-performance and rotating screen on the NEX – I would be definitely returning to the m4/3 camp full-time 🙂
Looks nice, sensor is too old 🙁
Oh dear, its not a revolutionary flagship affordable ultra high end bundled with a new compact ultrafast 10x zoom having OIS for the Panasonic users.
soon, there will be 100 messages of complaints here…
Erm. So what is the difference between this and an E-PLs?
Great work Admin! If it got the guts of the E5 in the EPL1 price bracket it will be very interesting. BTW, I wish you and all 43rumors readers, a happy New Year.
Happy new year Pilgrim!!!
Admin, nice work!
I know the sensor is the same, which is fine, but does it have the new TruePic V+ processor?
I am trying to squeeze out more info from my sources. I was told there are a few surprises (not E-PL2 related) 😉
Hopefully the movie-function has full HD now and better frame rates like gh2.
If the LCD is substantially better and focusing is a lot faster I might consider getting this over upgrading my 20D to a 60D. Even without a new sensor I’d be happy, the E-PL1 takes great photos.
Hopefully that the new OLY Pen MODELS are fast in the AF area…& I do miss looking thru a VF…
ARE YOU SURE THAT IT IS NOT YOU THAT TAKES GREAT PHOTOS?? 😉
looks pretty from the front … want to see the back too!
glad I resisted the urge to get an E-PL1 last/this week
but also explains some E-PL1 price drops!
Since we complain when you are not giving rumours we should also applaude when you do so here it comes: Good work Admin 🙂 Keep it up!
I also think the camera looked nice but hopefully(and most certainly) it will come with more colors than white! I wanna see the back too!
That’s nice form you Henrik. I am not fooling you…You should expect me tp post a lot of rumors during the next days 😉
Wish it had an assist lamp to aid in speed of auto focus…
Congratulations admin, you did it again 🙂 !
I told you CES will bring something new from Oly … But one thing is missing already – AF assist lamp!
So this is the new low end. It looks much nicer than the E-PL1 and the old sensor (with improved processing) should be adequate for the cheapest model in the range.
While waiting for the real specs, it seems to me that Olympus has switched the autopilot on. I expect no surprises this time… Any new kit lens? That would be wonderful news.
Finally Dramatic tone!
Um…
Im gonna stick with with my E-P1 for another year…
This model is not intended as an upgrade for E-P1 owners. We’ll have to wait for the next model, which is rumoured to be the “semipro” camera.
admin, which more news? from panny? 🙂
admin great work
thanx
to Oly: you really deserve to be buried in the history of camera makes.
All you do is polish old models and try to sell them as new.
enough is enough i will never buy any of OLY crap
haha good luck looking at other brands. they all do about the same
So what’s the difference between this and Japan only E-PL1s? Better LCD and one more filter?
Anyway, no expectation = no disappointment.
Too much negative this year, let’s change the tone, I wanna say happy new year to everyone here 🙂
Does anybody know if the maximum shooter speed is faster than 1/2000 sec ?
good question, i assume you shoot with fast lenses wide open?
..looks nice but I would like to see a workingtool, not a nice handsome design part.
Sad to say that the switch to Panasonic is near. I like Oly but I need a real tool..
hope you don’t miss the IS (and the good looks) when you switch to Pan … have tried the rear control wheel on the GF1 (designers day off = stripped skin from you thumb)
Good looks? Sorry I would take the looks of a EP1/2 or GF1/2 anyday over either of the EPLs. Everyone has their own personal choice but for me the durable stainless steel body clading of the EPs is much more appealing and impression of solid value even if both take excellent pictures.
As to IBIS that only gets an additional 1+ stop improvement in speed anyway and won’t work with video where it is most essential? Pany has OIS in most of its zoom lenses where needed anyway.
As to the comment about control wheels I would much rather have one on the rear to change either shutter speed or aperature as on the GF1 and GF2 than not at all as on the EPL1 and I assume EPL2?
Don’t know who told you only get 1 stop improvement. It’s more like 3.
Handsome design? This thing looks like it was designed by Playskool.
So how about adding the ability to let it use the AF assist in the high end oly flashes???
hmmm…no auto focus assist beam on camera. i wonder if this model will be able to use the fl-50 or fl-36 focus assist beams?
that is fro PDAF only…it is useless for CDAF
Yawn… I’ll pass.
(nice job admin for the rumors)
What? No facebook button to instantly change my profile picture? Geez, OLY is not concentrating on the IMPORTANT stuff…
I think this is a joke, december 28th in Spain and other countries?
this is not true?
If it uses the TruePic V+ processor then I might be in…. And I assume it does, as the Dramatic tone inclusion means they must have reworked the software/processor to some extent.
I wish Oly would make a MFT 50mm f2.0 macro…
Admin, I know you are holding out info on the new Pro MFT camera:)
Looks like a pop-up flash on the right hand side??
SS better go to 1/4000 as Adrian mentions.
460K dots is a step up at least.
Would like to see a weaker AA filter and also a better MF assist implementation.
Also — hopefully more options than white???
Thanks for posting, Admin!
Never mind. I missed “EPL2” was thinking “EP3”
Hmmm… wonder if they’ll have any more EPx releases, or if it’s only EPLx from here on out.
Oh well, everybody complains…
This is the entry level model, you all want the pro mFT model. You should complain why is not here already.
Yes there’s a missing AF assist lamp and for its price it should be there, cost is almost zero and it will improve AF in low light. Same for remote trigger.
At least screen is better (one of the complains), perhaps a dial on the back (do you know admin?) and price should be the same entry price of E-PL1.
Now imagine that it has a touch LCD and you have a dial?
Everyone says that for the price E-PL1 is a good camera.
I don’t work for Olympus but I understand Olympus. They need money: they reset price point of entry level PEN with some extra cost (LCD at least). They make more money they can fix finances and develop a pro mFT.
Happy new year admin et all, thanks for the rumor.
Yes, look’s like there’s a built-in flash on the top…
Amazing.
Olympus pull up the joke once again. 🙁
I wonder if they will ever get it!
***6) UPDATED -> It also has a new external Bluetooth module called “PENPAL”. You can attach it on the hot-shoe to instantly send pictures to your Android or Windows mobile phone and share pictures on Flickr, Facebook and other social networks!***
awesome new feature will this work on other micro and four thirds cameras???
ah……….
On Tuesday, July 06, 2010, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for OLYMPUS PENPAL. This trademark is owned by Olympus C…, ********, Tokyo. Trademarkia.com is a free search engine of publicly available government records. Trademarkia.com is not a law firm and does not represent owners & correspondents listed on this page.
The correspondent listed for OLYMPUS PENPAL is JAMES E. ROSINI, ESQ. of KENYO…, 1 BRO…, NEW YORK, NY 10004-1007 . The OLYMPUS PENPAL trademark is filed in the category of Computer & Software Products & Electrical & Scientific Products . The description provided to the USPTO for OLYMPUS PENPAL is Digital camera accessories, namely wireless communication devices, GPS devices, image and sound processors, image displays, projectors, microphones, speakers, batteries, battery chargers, lightings, cables, water proof protectors and digital media storage.
The USPTO has given the OLYMPUS PENPAL trademark serial number of 85078439. The current federal status of this trademark filing is NON-FINAL ACTION – MAILED.
At ANY time in the whole 4/3 lifetime, LACK OF SENSOR TECHNOLOGY has always been the biggest gripe with Olympus products. I’m not buying into more 4/3-ish stuff or Olympus before i see an improvement in sensor technology.
E-1 user.
a) hoping for knob(s), otherwise pass (having the E-PL1, and upgrading to the E-P2 just for the knobby.)
b) connectivity with phones (iPhone/iPad plz!) is the obvious next step for cameras, although I see it being more useful in the P&S market, I keep wishing EyeFi would do a card that would transfer (over Bluetooth or WiFi) to the iPhone.
Looks like it has a built-in flash. I’ve used mine like 2 times on my PL1.
If they are going after the P&S market, a super-flat pancake like the Pana might be an appropriate pairing.
if this is talking to android and windoze phone 7 then we can guess the reason it doesn’t communicate with the apple iPhone/iPad as an apple decision rather than an Oly one?
Still waiting for the pro model to match with the f1.4…
It just doesn’t look good.
The E-PL line shouldn’t be called PEN anymore.
I’ll wait for E-P3.
this at least looks better than the E-PL1
I agree the E-P1/E-P2 looks much better than the E-Pl1, but the E-Pl2 looks better than the E-Pl1.
Too ugly. I don’t believe it.
I’ve learned it’s hard to tell from product pics for me. The E-P1 always looked good on web pics but is far too glossy in real life for my taste. On the leaked image the E-PL2 looks ugly to me; and I also didn’t like the E-PL1 when i saw the first pictures. But I was suprised how nice the black E-PL1 looks in real life (except for the back). I think i would prefer a Pen that has the layout of the EP-1 and the dull aluminium finish of the black E-PL1 front/top. But tastes differ, as we all know.
That was intended as a reply to rrr_hhh but it fits here as well.
Same as you!
Only a year or two ago people would be challenging whether or not this was in fact the real thing or just a photoshopped version even if a high end rumor? Seems that either Olys security has gotten a little lax or they wanted this to get out sooner in response to the NEXs and GF2 maybe?
The EPL2 body is still the same size ie bigger than either the NEXs or GF2 but with the smaller collapable kit lens is smaller in depth. However the competition and EP2s will hold an advantage with their all metal body build compared to the plastic looks and feel of the EPLs, just my preference for all metal.
No iOS sync? If true then a stumble out of the gate. Nice LCD spec though (again if true).
Wait, it has a new LCD, new processor, and there’s a new kit lens. The LCD and processor are the only new things. Holy crap, they don’t read web forums at all, they’re just over there doing their own thing completely.
And of course they designed the PENPAL for the hotshoe, creating one more thing you can use that can disallow the use of EVF. Bluetooth is ONE FREAKING 8 PIN IC. It’s a full radio on a chip. It does not need to be located on the hotshoe. That IC costs about a dollar. Five if you’re generous. It is positively asinine that the accessory port is mounted under the shoe.
Things should not be mounted to the hotshoe unless that’s their logical resting place. Hell, if they cast the EVF housing out of aluminum, they could have put a hotshoe on top of it. DING, EVF and FLASH! Or, IR LEDS for wireless flash control with the E-P2. But no, it’s like they’re convinced that a camera should accept ONE accessory at a time.
To be fair, when using the penpal, you wouldn’t be taking photos, So IMO this is an acceptable compromise.
Good point. +1
Dissapointed about OLYs treatment with us E-xxx users. Where is the VIABLE pen alternative to entry dslrs?
When will we see a m43 body with pdaf on sensor focusing with including adapter(not the ridiculously overpriced mmf1-2 )?
E-PL2:
I am sure I will stay with my E-P2. But my question is: when can we approx. expect E-P3? 😉
Voigt 25:
Today my retailer called me and said he has just received some Noktons minutes ago priced at EUR645. I was not able to resist his offer!!! By the end of the week I will have it at home! I am so excited!
Thanks for the picture and info, Admin!
wow. the lowest price i could find for nokton has been 750 euros. may i ask where you got that deal?
It is official Czech distributor of Voigtländer, company called “CZRING”. Now the 25mm is in stock, listed price is CZK16.380 inc. VAT which is aprox. EUR647. Unfortunately as far as I know, they don’t send goods abroad…
Doesn’t look bad, but why are Panasonic and Olympus going more curvy for the entry levels? Seems like trying to be appealing to women perhaps.
I think the PENPAL feature is awesome … assuming it does not tax the battery nearly as much as the eye-fi cards.
Higher res LCD is a huge improvement and good for future higher-end models.
GF1 still has some major advantages in terms of movie performance (with a hack) and focus assist (although it is better placed on the GF2). Is that little circle below the dial in the photo above the mic or an led focus assist?
Using the 37mm filter thread as a reference it looks like the dimensions of the epl2 without strap lugs will be approximately 104.5mm x 66.5mm (if I mesured corectly) which is less then the epl1 115mm x 72mm.
No, it’s larger. If you scale images so that hotshoes are the same size, you’ll see E-PL2 is about as wide as E-P1/2 and about 5mm higher. I’d give it 120mm x 75mm – unfortunately.
You are right. It is my logic that was flawed. I presumed that the front of the lens was in the same plane as the body which in fact is not so that is why my measurings were wrong.
Looking again at the picture of the EPL2 it does appear to be taller and maybe wider than the EPL1. I didn’t think it plausible that Oly would make it larger even without an inclosed EVF. However looks like they were trying to mimic the sloped shape of the EP2 so maybe we will not see another EP3 after all or maybe at best a metal clad version of this camera? Instead I project more likely a digital OM m4/3 will appear with raised EVF in the middle for the advanced Oly m4/3 model.
The new (silent) kit lens is also a nice selling point.
I like that they borrowed a bit of the E-P1/2 styling. Would be nice if they also borrwed a control wheel from it too. 😉
I hope that’s not the color they are going with in the final production model.
The black one shown here looks slick:
http://photorumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/olymous-e-pl2.jpg
I think the rounded edges as opposed to the flat ones of the epl1 are a big design improvment. No more of the spam-package squared form factor.
It does look much better, but is obviously a colored in version of the white one (or some other color). Look at wherever the black abuts another color; it’s all splotchy.
Yes, it is photoshopped. Not a very good job at all, but the color looks nice. Making the top 1/4 silver and the body black would also look sharp.
gosh … soooooooooooooo much negativity!
it’s an E-P”L””2″ – not an E-P3, not an E-35, not an E-650, not an M10
it’s an entry camera!
and it looks cute
It’s not as pretty as EP-x in silver, but it’s not ugly. If it has an OVF, it probably wouldn’t look too different from a Canon G12. I’m pretty sure they’ll have black for Henry Ford fans.
Yes, I think people expect too much. It’ll probably has a sub-$500 price tag, so it’s none of the above you mentioned. I’m still waiting for my proper E-620 replacement, but I won’t hate EPL-2 for what it is, only wish it could at least have an EVF built-in….
I think that’s the reason why entry-level cameras update more frequently…. They’re difficult to please, yet you get the least amount of profit margin from them. :-p
+1
PENPAL mi sa di cagata pazzesca, ma tant’è
trad.
i don’t have a good opinion about this… PENPAL…
Congratulations to Olympus!
They are the truly innovators!
“… E-PL2: It also has a new external Bluetooth module called “PENPAL”. You can attach it on the hot-shoe to instantly send pictures to your Android or Windows mobile phone and share pictures on Flickr, Facebook and other social networks! …”
Olympus – Ultimate Performance in a Lightweight Design!
I’ m sure: Apple, Blackberry, Symbian and Palm will follow “Olympus-Android” and “Olympus-Windows Mobile!”
The Asian markets will boom for Olympus first! There will be the money – financing further innovations – like the high-end Olympus-MFT-Professional Gear!
Sounds like exactly what I need. I had decided on the E-PL1 before they brought out the E-PL1s and then wouldn’t sell it to me … so E-PL2 sounds like the cat’s pyjamas.
Oh, and the 37mm thread means I don’t need to buy new filters, so happy about that. 🙂
And still no AF-Assist beam… Olympus sucks…
Janne303 sucks
haha get a life. Or get a Nikon 😛
Why is the camera still so big?…. I thought the GF2 was going to be a good choice but the price and touch screen put me off. NEX would be prefect if the upcoming lens were not so big.
looks like nikon, pentax and sigma still have time to get into the marked as I do not think this camera will make anyone who does not already own a mirroless camera buy into a system now.
Because it is basically the same camera as the EPL1 only with a new larger screen and they still need room to put the IB IS and flash in. So no it is not a redesigned body as the GF2 to get to a noticeable smaller smize.
Before writing off all touch screens you should wait and try one first. The reviews from both G2 and GH2 say the touch screen is one of the best features inspite of earlier reservations.
your measurements are probably more accurate.
using the hotshoe as a reference makes more sense as it is on the same plane. the filter thread would appear bigger for being closer, thus affecting kristian’s measurements.
Yeah, and it’s a huge disappointment for me. I hope they’ve leaked a bit distorted image, but if this is the final one and if there are no other improvements, for me E-PL1 is a better buy. Its price will now go down substantially, it’s smaller and I doubt its IQ will be much worse ( if at all ).
If Panasonic GF2 was meant to go after Sony NEX-5, this one seems to be targeting Samsung NX100. Even the lens is a Samsung rip off – which is not a bad thing in itself …
The only reason that could justify their decision to make it larger is if they integrated a viewfinder on the back. But let’s wait a bit more for the pictures of the back of the camera.
please excuse the double post – i intended to respond to your comment but posted a top-most comment AGAIN 🙂
this is just an improved reiteration of the existing model, making it more attractive for new adopters.
i hope this should not delay the introduction of the next higher end model (or models – a new Pen and a ‘pro’ body with an integrated EVF). i would think they would be introduced when the new sensor from Panasonic becomes available – what’s the point otherwise?
good things come to those who wait?
meanwhile i see no reason for replacing my trusty G1. the GH2 looks promising but i’d rather see what Olympus and Panasonic (the camera body that is rumored to be bundled with the 25/1.4) come out with next spring.
BTW – did you see the news article in dpreview having to do with Sony investing another 1.2 billion in CMOS development? i really hope Panasonic can keep up!
Yuck.
I’d say it looks like a strong update for the market segment. Bodes well for the high-end Pen.
Will it have a dial command??
Re PENPAL – I’m not interested. I use time after time BT on my phone and it is darn slow. For cameras it is probably going to be usable only for LQ JPEGs. And if that is as rumored a separate accessory, fuhgeddaboudit, a waste of R&D resources.
Bring WiFi and then I might be interested. Wireless sync is a long overdue IMO. Phones have it – why not cameras? WiFi even at its slowest 1MB/s sounds better than >100KB/s of Bluetooth.
Most phones have the ability to join an existing ad hoc wifi network, but not create a new network, if the same with the camera you wouldn’t be able to sync the camera and phone. You could have the camera join an existing wifi network though to make it easier to connect to your computer without wires, so send online to a web image server. I agree though, even the ability to join an existing network would be preferable to bluetooth. Frankly, the add on is foolish and a waste of hotshoe resources. Out and out dumb design in this day and age.
Overall the EPL1 is a great device. I don’t necessarily see much reason to upgrade. Further, if you’re going to improve any one spec, make it possible to shoot up at 1/4000, don’t screw around with a high ISO that probably doesn’t look great anyway. Especially as shutter speed was a purposeful cripple for the EPL1.
I really don’t get Olympus’ plans if this is the best they are coming out with to make their line more attractive in the evolving market. If for the IBIS alone, I want Olympus to be successful, but this just doesn’t show the degree of capability iteration that Panny is with the GF and GH lines.
Just as a followup, the one notable improvement is the screen apparently. That’s certainly good. Not to justify upgrading, but good for new buyers. Otherwise, highly disappointing and worrisome.
A whole new art filter! Wow… aren’t they generous? Must have taken them ages and ages to develop and must have taken the lives of many.
And even with Bluetooth 3 HS, the maximum data rate is 3MBytes/s… so that’s roughly a 2 second transfer time per image.
Also what’s high resolution about a 420K 3″ LCD when all the others are 920K?
Just switch the memory card into the phone when deciding to upload… oh wait, switching memory cards in those smartphones is not an easy experience, especially on the new Windows Mobile.
Rather than strictly for upload, I do hope it can be used for other things through firmware update for the PenPal. Remote flash trigger using bluetooth (is it possible ?), geotagging using external GPS unit, or even a wearable external viewfinder for video (not sure the bandwidth is enough though) and to write in Chinese characters (that’s the other PenPal).
Meanwhile, to instantly upload the pictures when shooting, how would that cause an overhead when saving the pictures ?
If AF response and fastest shutter speed are going to be improved, I think it worths the upgrade as long as its price tag is reasonable.
people before you write this off, backtrack a little. this is a successor to the E-PL1. now be a bit more objective, i think the improvements are good enough for their entry-level.
and i couldnt understand why current PEN owners will buy this, it’s obviously meant for new adopters. so i suggest just wait for the hign-end m4/3 and save your comments for later
looks like the rumors were right!
lets hope these aren’t the only final specs…
Still waiting for the x100… nothing so far has blown me off that track… would be nice if Olympus could wow us with something BEFORE the Fuji debuts….
I’m with you. I fell in love with the idea and promise of m43 ever since I heard about the “carrot cam”, but every offering from Olympus and Panasonic has had at least one design / performance issue. Unless they come out with something before the X100, that will be my camera purchase for the year, maybe the next two or three or more.
but is there anything such as a perfect cam? even leicas have issues as i’ve heard
Im with you on that one, I doubt there will EVER be a perfect camera and X100 wont either.
perfect does not exist because people in general always manage to find something to complain about. or is it just that alot of 4/3 owners excel in the art of complaining?
well this is just an improved reiteration of the existing model, making it more attractive for new adopters.
i hope this should not delay the introduction of the next higher end model (or models – a new Pen and a ‘pro’ body with an integrated EVF). i would think they would be introduced when the new sensor from Panasonic becomes available – what’s the point otherwise?
good things come to those who wait?
meanwhile i see no reason for replacing my trusty G1. the GH2 looks promising but i’d rather see what Olympus and Panasonic (the camera body that is rumored to be bundled with the 25/1.4) come out with next spring.
BTW – did you see the news article in dpreview having to do with Sony investing another 1.2 billion in CMOS development? i really hope Panasonic can keep up!
MORE PICS, PLEASE!!!
@admin Dear Admin, does this rumor indicates that we will not be seeing the E-P3 in the next 2-3 months? 🙁
For those who think the new EPL2 is bigger than the EPL1 just measure and calculate the ratio of width to height and you will find they are the same ie 2.9/4.5 or 0.64. So relatively same size if the widths are same but the body on the rangefinder side has been raised to top of hot shoe which is now recessessed so it looks bigger even with curved top.
Soin comparison the GF2 will still be quite a bit smaller at least with its small prime lens.
How much is the new lens smaller then the old one? (kit lens)
460k high resolution.. ROTFL…..
someone should tell olympus that 460k display is not high resolution.
it´s 2011 not 1999.
Lars,
remember, this is not a top model. They have to take care about the price as well.
Canon Powershot G11 dead pixels? I’m not as well confident if it is what you call dead pixels, but on the LCD display, you can find little black dots. I realize it’s not dust or dirt on the lens, because it seems in images I’ve taken before I had this difficulty. You will find about three or four black dots within the LCD display, and they’re not too close to each and every other. I bought my digital camera in September. Need to I send it in to Canon to have it fixed?
Very good article. I’m going through a few of these issues as well..
http://zapfmaster2000.de/wiki/index.php5/Benutzer:KarolinGy