Just got E-PM2, first thoughts (vs. E-PM1)

Art · Nov 7, 2012

Received my E-PM2 black body today. Immediate first impression: quite a bit worse build quality compared to my one year old E-PM1 (also in black). E-PM2 appears to be almost fully plastic whereas E-PM1 is fully metal (it gets cold). The silver metal rim around E-PM1 is now made of cheap looking grey plastic. The design and overall build feel is reminiscent of E-PL1, arguably, the least attractive m43 camera. It's still on a cute side but it is unfortunate that Olympus decided to cut corners like that especially after getting used to E-PM1. Overall, it feels like downgrading (build quality wise). It feels terribly overpriced when in hand.

I can confirm that Lens Priority IS enables Power OIS in my Panny 45-175mm X lens (no physical switch). I am very impressed with its stabilization for both stills and video. It also stabilizes live view at all times not just when half pressing the shutter button.

I can also confirm that IBIS does not stabilize live view (just like E-PM1 so no surprise). I am unable to confirm if IBIS now works for video or it is still just digital IS. Need to do more testing on that.

Didn’t have much time to shoot tonight (too much champagne) but will post some pictures and more info soon. Touchscreen is very sensitive. The LCD quality is quite average and possibly even less bright than E-PM1 (both at full brightness). Still trying to figure out if I can do “touch to focus” instead of touch shutter. Start up time is MUCH faster (virtually instantaneous), there is no shutter sound when turning it on, shutter lag is noticeably improved (and I thought E-PM1 was fast), shutter sound is noticeably quieter (more muted and digital sounding) than E-PM1.

jyc860923 · Nov 7, 2012

thanks for your thorough description, the E-PM2 is actually my very desired camera with the same sensor of EM5, yet a camera with lots of doubt because of its positioning. I think what I need is an additional button and metal body!!

Art · Nov 7, 2012

jyc860923 said:
thanks for your thorough description, the E-PM2 is actually my very desired camera with the same sensor of EM5, yet a camera with lots of doubt because of its positioning. I think what I need is an additional button and metal body!!

Compared to E-PM1 it has two more buttons: Fn and Delete which is much nicer. I read some reviews stating the body is metal but unless Oly deliberately tried to make it look like plastic I don't buy that.

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Ulfric M Douglas · Nov 7, 2012

Art said:
The design and overall build feel is reminiscent of E-PL1, arguably, the least attractive m43 camera. .

That's what I said when we saw the first pictures.
A strange strategy.
The e-pM1 is small yet feels like quality.

c_henry · Nov 7, 2012

Have a look at the E-PL5, it's pretty much the same size as the E-PM1, which I'm assuming makes it pretty close in size to the E-PM2, plus it's not that much more expensive.

drd1135 · Nov 7, 2012

Is the build quality better on the E-PL5?

D@ne · Nov 7, 2012

Art said:
Compared to E-PM1 it has two more buttons: Fn and Delete which is much nicer. I read some reviews stating the body is metal but unless Oly deliberately tried to make it look like plastic I don't buy that.

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Anytime I'm not sure if something is plastic or metal, I place it against my lips (weird, I realize). Metal is cooler than plastic (well, usually), and your lips are more sensitive to that.

Art · Nov 7, 2012

c_henry said:
Have a look at the E-PL5, it's pretty much the same size as the E-PM1, which I'm assuming makes it pretty close in size to the E-PM2, plus it's not that much more expensive.

I think E-PL5 has essentially same build quality but it's even more expensive than already overpriced E-PM2. All it adds is useless mode dial and unnecessary (for me) tilt screen. Yes, the larger grip is useful but not at $100. E-PM2's grip is very small and slippery and cannot be removed. I added Flipbac G4 grip to my E-PM1 which handles much better. It will all come down to IQ which I'll test soon. It'd better be much much better than E-PM1!

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Spuff · Nov 7, 2012

drd1135 said:
Is the build quality better on the E-PL5?

The EPL5 does have an almost all metal body. The top panel with the buttons on is plastic - but quality plastic.
I have already used the flip screen for very pleasing convenience.

994 · Nov 7, 2012

Art said:
I think E-PL5 has essentially same build quality but it's even more expensive than already overpriced E-PM2. All it adds is useless mode dial and unnecessary (for me) tilt screen. Yes, the larger grip is useful but not at $100. E-PM2's grip is very small and slippery and cannot be removed. I added Flipbac G4 grip to my E-PM1 which handles much better. It will all come down to IQ which I'll test soon. It'd better be much much better than E-PM1!

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Two reasons I'm not getting the EPM2:

1. It's getting too high in price for what I want from it
2. The built-in grip. I do not like that grip. Didn't like it on the EP3, and won't like it now. I put my own grip on the EPM1.
3. Ok, a third reason -- I actually like the flip screen.

If I do get either of these, then I'm going to wait out EPL5 prices, customize the grip, and live with the mode dial (which I also wish was gone).

micz87 · Nov 7, 2012

Shame that Oly saves cash on materials while item's proce is getting higher and higher...

GaryAyala · Nov 7, 2012

D@ne said:
Anytime I'm not sure if something is plastic or metal, I place it against my lips (weird, I realize). Metal is cooler than plastic (well, usually), and your lips are more sensitive to that.

That may be legal in Canada ... but in the States don't let anybody catch you.

D@ne · Nov 7, 2012

GaryAyala said:
That may be legal in Canada ... but in the States don't let anybody catch you.

We're pretty liberal up here...share the love!

Ned · Nov 7, 2012

Art said:
The LCD quality is quite average and possibly even less bright than E-PM1 (both at full brightness).

This is a good thing. I have found all my PENs since the E-PL2 to be far too bright in the LCD, throwing off my ability to gauge exposure. That's one of the main reasons I use Non-Reflex over DSLR, is the live exposure and color, so I want the exposure to look like what it will look like on my (print calibrated) computer screen. I have to turn my LCD brightness all the way down to to -7 on the E-PM1 to achieve that, and even then it's still a little too bright.

For me, the one big reason to upgrade from the E-PM1 to the E-PM2 would have to be the extra Fn and Delete buttons. Such small things, but so important. As it is I get by fine with the E-PM1 by using MySets to change settings for different lenses. Once I get the camera set for the type of lens mounted, then its functionality is perfectly fine and efficient. However, it takes a little longer to set up every time I swap glass (thankfully they're small enough to bring a couple bodies with multiple glass).

For instance, with AF glass I use a back-button for AF and with manual glass I use the Magnifier. On a larger Pen I just press the AF button or the Magnifier button as needed, and they are both live at all times. On the Minis I have to share the one button for everything and must change its function with every lens swap from AF to manual.

jyc860923 · Nov 7, 2012

Hi Art
I'm trying to understand if the functions of the click wheel buttons are configurable, especially the right button. Because I find the overall button functions are mostly identical to my GF3 and I don't want to miss that, except for the right button because it's preset to control the external flash. Could you confirm that? thanks.

svtquattro · Nov 7, 2012

Looking forward to hear your impressions of IQ! My E-PM2 body (white) arrives Friday! I have no lenses to use it with, so will slap on the Panny 4/3 adapter and the 14-54 II for now.

I just realized I have a 4/3 ZD 14-42 lying around. Anyone try these with an adapter on a recent PEN?

Art · Nov 7, 2012

jyc860923 said:
Hi Art
I'm trying to understand if the functions of the click wheel buttons are configurable, especially the right button. Because I find the overall button functions are mostly identical to my GF3 and I don't want to miss that, except for the right button because it's preset to control the external flash. Could you confirm that? thanks.

yes, the right and down buttons are both configurable. There is also user manual available for download from Oly Japan site...
http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/manual/pen/man_epm2_e.pdf

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Steven · Nov 7, 2012

I am not sure why you say it's overpriced. Isn't it the same price as EPM1 was on release? It's pretty amazing it has the same image quality producing sensor as the more expensive EM5 if you ask me.

Art · Nov 7, 2012

Steven said:
I am not sure why you say it's overpriced. Isn't it the same price as EPM1 was on release? It's pretty amazing it has the same image quality producing sensor as the more expensive EM5 if you ask me.

It's $100 more at launch than E-PM1 was and the build quality is noticeably worse.

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svtquattro · Nov 7, 2012

Is it really plastic?? Anyone? That would suck.

Just got E-PM2, first thoughts (vs. E-PM1)

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