Olympus Announces PEN E-PM2 and E-PL5 Cameras Using Same Sensor and AF System as OM-D

From DPR: Cameras will default to Panny Lens IS

"Lens IS priority

Another addition to both cameras, to help them work more happily with Panasonic's range of stabilized lenses for the Micro Four Thirds system is new 'Lens IS Priority' option in the menus (which is set to 'on' by default). It means the cameras will make use of the lens' stabilization system, rather than using their in-body systems when available."

Also, up to 8fps.

 

EPM2 might be my second body if it performs exactly how it looks on paper so far....

 

Any sign of focus peaking? PL5 would be great street camera with rangefinder lenses if....

 

I got a used NEX 5n. I am missing the "wow" factor of focus peaking. In clutters up my view so bad, it distracts from composition, you still have to zoom in (so what's the point? I know people say "it gets me in the ballpark" but you can't get "in the ballpark" just by looking at the picture?)

I am getting many more MISSED shots relying on the 5n focus peaking than I am in using the OMD EVF. I'm going to keep testing, and see if I grow into it, and while it would be nice to have, I'm missing the WOW.

 

Okay, they look like great cameras and the prices seems more reasonable this time around.

I just don't understand, though, why the E-P2/3 body was the one to get the axe. I totally miss the looks, as well as thumb wheel and flash, of the classic PEN body.

 

+1 for me too. Obviously the announcement of the E-PL5 and E-PM5 without an E-P5 seems to say that there will not be a E-P5 but has Olympus actually _said_ that they're going down to 2 Pen models?

In most ways, the E-PL5 and E-PM5 represent the Pen line "catching up" with the technology released in the OM-D. Maybe they'll surprise us in a few months with a new E-P5 (or E-P6) that improves upon the tech in the OM-D.

But I doubt it.

 

I agree that they appear to be losing the E-Px line. If the rumors about a lower tiered OM-D are true then I guess I understand the logic of not wanting that camera to be at same price point at E-P5.

But all things being equal I would like to see the E-Px blood line continue. I hold out hope (in vain, I'm sure) that they will stick an EVF on the E-P3 (RF-style in upper left corner) and add the E-M5 sensor and price it just below the E-M5.

 

I'm disappointed in the prices. Not only is there not a cheap fast prime announced, but the epm line is getting pricier. It's a fine camera, to be sure - i'd love to have that sensor and the touch screen - but it's priced too high for me, and will still be too high for me when it hits the refurb market, probably. Oh well, I'm happy enough with the epm1.

 

Disappointed in E-PM2 pricing, no update for me for a while. Will wait until Oly typical price crash. The body appears to be plastic and worse build quality than all metal E-PM1? Oly should provide Lens priority via firmware update to E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1 or that's it no more support for 1 year old cams?

 

What are you guys complaining about? In less than a year, that E-PM2 will be less than $300 body only refurb'ed from Cameta! That will definitely be my next camera...just not for awhile!

 

Right, but I got my refurb KIT for less than 3 bills.  .

I'm more disappointed in the absence of the once rumored cheaper fast prime. I'm too poor for anything faster than 2.8 that isn't legacy glass right now.

I thought the low entry point on the epm made it very competitive with the mid/high end P&S, but that $100 extra remove the mid from that. Oh well.

 

body cap!  

i just busted out into a beastie boys version of BODY CAPPIN'
...anyone else?
..........just me?

oh.



*flees the thread*

 

I wonder if this means that it can now use OIS on the Panasonic lenses that lack OIS on/off switches? That would be a huge improvement, compatibility-wise.

Don't bet on it. The E-PM1 has gone from $500 to $250 in under a year. The one sure thing with m4/3 is that the bodies are worth next to nothing once the next generation is announced...

DH

 

I think that Lens IS Priority is precisely the feature I've been waiting for, any Panasonic lens with OIS will now be fully functional.

I would like to see the feature spread to OM-D too, might not use it but it'd be nice as an alternative.

 

+2
And why that 16:9 screen?! A 3:2 would be my preference ... and makes me glad I finally sprang for an E-M5. I see the E-PM2/PL5 also lose 5-frame AE bracketing. If I'm reading the specs correctly, it's now 3 frames with +/- 2 & 3 for HDR (PP) processing.

Edit: According to the video in this thread, 5-frame bracketing is still available.
https://www.mu-43.com/f42/first-video-epl5-epm2-33276/

I guess I'll have to read the manual!

 

Prices seem fair considering it has the OM-D sensor. Any less and you would have to expect an older sensor. EPM-2 looks great as a second more compact body, gonna have to wait a while till refurbs hit the market though.

 

That's different from my experience - I found peaking to be at least as fast and accurate as focusing through a VF-2 viewfinder.

For me there are 3 other bonuses of adding a peaking feature (and zero downsides):
1-having the option of using the LCD and not only a viewfinder is great when I want to shoot at waist (or head) level
2-peaking gives a clear depth of field cue, especially when there are several objects in the frame at different distances
3-almost essential is video mode

I'm not really sure why they don't offer it.

 

Perhaps that will stop the rattlesnake stuff..