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Olympus Master Software 2.X Multilingual
Olympus Master 2.0 applications are an effortless yet powerful method to enhance your photo digital portrait photography experience. Designed to allow you to organize, edit, and share your images and films, Olympus Master 2.0 combines an easy-to-use interface using the latest digital imaging tools and functionality.
Simple image management, coupled with easy make use of editing functions.
Photos might be automatically sorted in accordance with the date these people were shot, and also allowing you to search them inside a calendar or timeline manner. As far as image editing function can be involved, 13 functions provides you with a wide variety and detailed treatments for the editing process, for instance trimming, automatically adjusting image tones and red eye removals.
Calendar View - Manage your images with all the simplicity of any calendar. As your images are transferred to your laptop, they can be stored inside Calendar View. Stored images are displayed upon the calendar, which might be viewed by day, month, year, or all at one time. Never again can you waste time in search of your pictures and videos.
Keywords - You can tag your images with as much as three keywords for easier sorting, retrieval, and viewing. Choose from an index of provided keywords or design your own.
E-mail - Share your images with other people quickly and easily utilizing the softwares built-in e-mail feature. At the click of your button, OLYMPUS Master makes a new message within your default e-mail program and attaches the selected images. Supports most e-mail clients supporting SMTP and POP3 servers.
Image Editing - Enhance your images with several simple-to-use editing tools. Adjusting color balance, brightness, or sharpness hasn't been easier. Or pick from other editing functions for example resizing, rotating, cropping, renaming
Red-Eye Reduction - With OLYMPUS Master, you'll be able to reduce Red-Eye in photos of folks and you'll be able to reduce Blue-Eye or Green-Eye in images of pets and animals! Use the selection tool to spotlight the area and also at the click of any button, the Red-Eye is reduced.
while using RAW development feature in OLYMPUS Master. Adjust
the exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, saturation or noise
and put it on to one or higher RAW images simultaneously.
Print At Home - Whether printing index, postcard, or any other size photo, OLYMPUS Master would be the solution for your household printing needs. Select from among the many templates and formats for printing indexes, postcards, and calendars.
Print Images Online - Print your images online using Olympus Digital Photo Services by Ofoto, or select from a listing of many other print providers registered with OLYMPUS Master. Windows only.
Olympus Ofoto or existing account. E-mail friends a direct connect to your
online image albums where they will view, download, or order prints of your respective images.
Panoramic - Create panoramic images utilizing the auto-panorama function in OLYMPUS Master. Automatically assemble images consumed in panorama mode together with your Olympus camera at the click of your button. camera must keep the panoramic function
Olympus Master Software 2.X Multilingual
Olympus Master 2.0 software packages are an effortless yet powerful solution to enhance your digital cameras experience. Designed to allow you to organize, edit, and share your images and flicks, Olympus Master 2.0 combines an easy-to-use interface while using latest digital imaging tools and functionality.
Simple image management, joined with easy to make use of editing functions.
Photos might be automatically sorted depending on the date these were shot, in addition to allowing you to search them inside a calendar or timeline manner. As far as image editing function is worried, 13 functions will give you a wide variety and detailed control of the editing process, including trimming, automatically adjusting image tones and red eye removals.
Calendar View - Manage your images together with the simplicity of your calendar. As your images are transferred to your laptop, they may be stored within the Calendar View. Stored images are displayed close to the calendar, which may be viewed by day, month, year, or all at one time. Never again can you waste time in search of your pictures and videos.
Keywords - You can tag your images with as many as three keywords for easier sorting, retrieval, and viewing. Choose from a listing of provided keywords or design your own.
E-mail - Share your images web-sites quickly and easily with all the softwares built-in e-mail feature. At the click of your button, OLYMPUS Master results in a new message inside your default e-mail program and attaches the selected images. Supports most e-mail clients supporting SMTP and POP3 servers.
Image Editing - Enhance your images with several simple-to-use editing tools. Adjusting color balance, brightness, or sharpness hasn't been easier. Or pick from other editing functions including resizing, rotating, cropping, renaming
Red-Eye Reduction - With OLYMPUS Master, you may reduce Red-Eye in photos of folks and you'll be able to reduce Blue-Eye or Green-Eye in images of pets and animals! Use the selection tool to focus on the area at the click of your button, the Red-Eye is reduced.
with all the RAW development feature in OLYMPUS Master. Adjust
the exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, saturation or noise
and put it on to one or higher RAW images simultaneously.
Print At Home - Whether printing index, postcard, or some other size photo, OLYMPUS Master may be the solution for your residence printing needs. Select from one of the numerous templates and formats for printing indexes, postcards, and calendars.
Print Images Online - Print your images online using Olympus Digital Photo Services by Ofoto, or select from an index of many other print providers registered with OLYMPUS Master. Windows only.
Olympus Ofoto or existing account. E-mail friends a direct url to your
online image albums where they could view, download, or order prints of your respective images.
Panoramic - Create panoramic images while using auto-panorama function in OLYMPUS Master. Automatically assemble images used panorama mode with the Olympus video camera at the click of any button. camera must offer the panoramic function
Olympus Master Software 2.X Multilingual
Olympus Master 2.0 software programs are an effortless yet powerful approach to enhance your photo digital portrait photography experience. Designed to assist you organize, edit, and share your images and flicks, Olympus Master 2.0 combines an easy-to-use interface using the latest digital imaging tools and functionality.
Simple image management, along with easy to work with editing functions.
Photos could be automatically sorted using the date we were holding shot, in addition to allowing you to search them inside a calendar or timeline manner. As far as image editing function is worried, 13 functions provides a wide variety and detailed treatments for the editing process, for instance trimming, automatically adjusting image tones and red eye removals.
Calendar View - Manage your images using the simplicity of your calendar. As your images will be transferred to your laptop, they can be stored from the Calendar View. Stored images are displayed upon the calendar, which is usually viewed by day, month, year, or simultaneously. Never again would you like to waste time looking for your pictures and videos.
Keywords - You can tag your images with as much as three keywords for easier sorting, retrieval, and viewing. Choose from a summary of provided keywords or you could make your own.
E-mail - Share your images with other people quickly and easily utilizing the softwares built-in e-mail feature. At the click of an button, OLYMPUS Master makes a new message as part of your default e-mail program and attaches the selected images. Supports most e-mail clients supporting SMTP and POP3 servers.
Image Editing - Enhance your images with several simple-to-use editing tools. Adjusting color balance, brightness, or sharpness hasn't ever been easier. Or select other editing functions including resizing, rotating, cropping, renaming
Red-Eye Reduction - With OLYMPUS Master, you'll be able to reduce Red-Eye in photos of folks and you'll be able to reduce Blue-Eye or Green-Eye in images of pets and animals! Use the selection tool to focus on the area possibly at the click of your button, the Red-Eye is reduced.
with all the RAW development feature in OLYMPUS Master. Adjust
the exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, saturation or noise
and put it to use to one or even more RAW images simultaneously.
Print At Home - Whether printing index, postcard, or some other size photo, OLYMPUS Master may be the solution for your residence printing needs. Select from among several other templates and formats for printing indexes, postcards, and calendars.
Print Images Online - Print your images online using Olympus Digital Photo Services by Ofoto, or select from a listing of many other print providers registered with OLYMPUS Master. Windows only.
Olympus Ofoto or existing account. E-mail family a direct connect to your
online image albums where they could view, download, or order prints of your respective images.
Panoramic - Create panoramic images utilizing the auto-panorama function in OLYMPUS Master. Automatically assemble images drawn in panorama mode with the Olympus digicam at the click of any button. camera must secure the panoramic function
Olympus Master Software 2.X Multilingual
Olympus Master 2.0 applications are an effortless yet powerful method to enhance your portrait digital photography experience. Designed to enable you to organize, edit, and share your images and films, Olympus Master 2.0 combines an easy-to-use interface with all the latest digital imaging tools and functionality.
Simple image management, put together with easy to utilize editing functions.
Photos may be automatically sorted using the date these people were shot, along with allowing you to search them inside a calendar or timeline manner. As far as image editing function can be involved, 13 functions offers you a wide variety and detailed treating the editing process, including trimming, automatically adjusting image tones and red eye removals.
Calendar View - Manage your images with all the simplicity of your calendar. As your images are transferred to your laptop, these are stored inside Calendar View. Stored images are displayed close to the calendar, which is usually viewed by day, month, year, or at the same time. Never again would you like to waste time looking for your pictures and videos.
Keywords - You can tag your images with as many as three keywords for easier sorting, retrieval, and viewing. Choose from a listing of provided keywords or you could make your own.
Image Editing - Enhance your images with several simple-to-use editing tools. Adjusting color balance, brightness, or sharpness hasn't been easier. Or select other editing functions for example resizing, rotating, cropping, renaming
Red-Eye Reduction - With OLYMPUS Master, it is possible to reduce Red-Eye in photos of men and women and you may reduce Blue-Eye or Green-Eye in images of pets and animals! Use the selection tool to spotlight the area and also at the click of any button, the Red-Eye is reduced.
utilizing the RAW development feature in OLYMPUS Master. Adjust
the exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, saturation or noise
and use it to one if not more RAW images simultaneously.
Print At Home - Whether printing index, postcard, or any other size photo, OLYMPUS Master could be the solution for your residence printing needs. Select from among several other templates and formats for printing indexes, postcards, and calendars.
Print Images Online - Print your images online using Olympus Digital Photo Services by Ofoto, or select from an index of many other print providers registered with OLYMPUS Master. Windows only.
Olympus Ofoto or existing account. E-mail relatives and buddies a direct connect to your
online image albums where they're able to view, download, or order prints of one's images.
Panoramic - Create panoramic images while using auto-panorama function in OLYMPUS Master. Automatically assemble images used panorama mode using your Olympus digicam at the click of an button. camera must include the panoramic function
Download Files: Software, Firmware, Drivers
Free download service was terminated on April 8, 2013.
Update service was terminated.
Free download service was terminated on December 20, 2012.
The aggregate score depending on the apps rating, volume of users, and a volume of other parameters closely connected to user satisfaction.
The most beneficial score is 10.
No specific info regarding version 2.5. Please visit the key page of OLYMPUS CAMEDIA Master on Software Informer.
With OLYMPUS muvee theaterPack you may create video masterpieces.
OLYMPUS RAW codec would be the program to import and display the RAW data file.
NDT Keytool automatically looks for keys for ones Olympus device.
How do I transfer my pictures in an external drive or CD?
If you would want to burn or export a duplicate of the images seen in an album or folder in OLYMPUS Master, or images from multiple folders or dates, please abide by these steps:
Select the files you wish to copy or right click and judge Select All with your Album, Folder, or Date view.
Choose EDIT COPY through the File menu bar.
Click within the FOLDER tab inside OLYMPUS Master. Select a folder to the images you're planning to export or build a new one while using CREATE NEW FOLDER button.
When as part of your new folder, select EDIT PASTE.
A copy within your images will paste towards the new folder. If your computer supports disk burning, simply employ it or perhaps your favorite CD burning program to lose this folder of photos into a disk.
2015 Olympus America Inc.
How do I transfer my pictures in an external drive or CD?
If you desire to burn or export a duplicate of the images obtained in an album or folder in OLYMPUS Master, or images from multiple folders or dates, please adopt these measures:
Select the files you need to copy or right click and judge Select All as part of your Album, Folder, or Date view.
Choose EDIT COPY on the File menu bar.
Click for the FOLDER tab inside OLYMPUS Master. Select a folder with the images you intend to export or develop a new one with all the CREATE NEW FOLDER button.
When within your new folder, select EDIT PASTE.
A copy within your images will paste for the new folder. If your main system supports disk burning, simply employ it or maybe your favorite CD burning program to shed this folder of photos into a disk.
Climb for the mount Olympus to fulfill gods of Greek mythology.
Compact, take-anywhere size. Appealing all-metal body.
video, audio, data, cd burning.
Detect and eliminate viruses.
Deliver great digital experiences.
Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access
for your web or simple animations.
Climb on the mount Olympus in order to meet gods of Greek mythology.
Compact, take-anywhere size. Appealing all-metal body.
video, audio, data, cd burning.
Detect and eliminate viruses.
Deliver great digital experiences.
Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access
for that web or simple animations.
includes batteries, kit lens
The Olympus PEN E-PM2 might not boast a Mode dial or some other advanced physical controls, nonetheless it produces surprisingly exceptional images that rival that regarding its star sibling - - the OM-D E-M5 - - for a much lower price. Small, lightweight, powerful and affordable, the E-PM2 features exactly the same 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, processor and FAST AF system as being the E-M5. And while its dizzyingly layered menu system may drive you crazy, when you finally dig deep and figure it out, you ll uncover exactly how sophisticated and customizable a camera the E-PM2 might be - - provided, which is, you're comfortable with touchscreen controls. The E-PM2 is actually no means perfect - - it s somewhat lacking in shooting action stills and HD video - - but it really is a significant value, as well as a great selection for beginners planning to step up from your point-and-shoot.
Super compact and lightweight; Excellent image and print quality that rivals far more expensive CSCs and DSLRs; Solid low-light high ISO performance; Touchscreen LCD responsive and useful when you get employed to it; Speedy and accurate AF on still subjects; Tons of advanced shooting features and customizing options.
Maddening menu system; No physical Mode dial; Motion AF nearly up to par; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash but a little external flash is protected.
The Olympus PEN E-PM2 began shipping in October 2012 and was originally charging US550 body-only in four body colors: black, red, silver, or white. A kit bundling the DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R contact lens originally listed for US600. Olympus has since dropped one's body-only price to US450 plus the kit to US500.
Suggestion for improvement? Head over here.
Revamping their two smallest Pen cameras just fifteen months after their introduction, Olympus thought we would give their most affordable model the combined look in the original E-PL1, together with the fixed grip in the original E-P1. Its fun to determine their designers playing together with the digital Pen heritage already. The end result is better seeking to our eye compared to originals. Whats much better than appearances, though, could be the
s inclusion with the same 16-megapixel sensor because excellent OM-D E-M5, a sensor whose quality blew us away trapped on tape. Neither the E-PM2 nor the E-PL5 introduced on the same time has got the 5-way image stabilization on the OM-D, however the E-PM2s standard sensor-shift IS serves rather effectively.
When it began shipping in October 2012, the
originally retailed for 550 body-only, and 600 together with the 14-42mm kit lens, though the company has since dropped prices by 100. Thats a terrific value in the technology packed into this small body.
Design. Simple and handsome in the front, the rubbery grip helps your hold reasonably well. An AF-assist/self-timer lamp shines out through the upper right corner, along with a round lens release button is merely right from the mount.
Like its predecessor, the Olympus E-PM2 doesn't have any physical Mode dial. While its predecessor used a striped screen menu to change modes through four-way navigator, the E-PM2 provides the advantage of your touchscreen to generate selections additional quickly. Note the stereo microphones and dual speaker holes, for any monaural speaker. A standard hot shoe and AP2 port adorns the top with the Olympus E-PM2. A simple power button turns it on, plus the Shutter button is really a smooth design also drawn on the past. A new Function button sits right of this.
First introduced for the Olympus E-P3, the touchscreen autofocus makes AF fast and quite specific. That, combined with all the E-PM2s lack of an Mode dial makes all the touchscreen an essential control. Compared for the E-PL5, the E-PM2 contains the Playback and Delete buttons which were missing within the E-PM1, however lacks the zoom in and out buttons, functions that again fall on the touchscreen in Playback mode.
Overall, the Olympus E-PM2 is yet another Micro Four Thirds winner through the manufacturer. It even includes exactly the same 8 frames per second capability on the E-PL5 note: focus locked only, rendering it one in the fastest interchangeable lens cameras only at that price point. Between the E-PM2 and E-PL5, find ourselves only missing the Mode dial and tilting LCD, therefore we really much like the classic look with this less-expensive model.
I was lucky to test the Olympus PEN E-PM2 side-by-side which consists of bigger brother, the E-PL5. Bigger being only relative; theyre both smaller as compact system cameras go! My initial expectation was the E-PM2 would suffer greatly in contrast, but am happily surprised to report that it simply wasnt the situation. While the E-PL5 is going to be superior camera with regard to build and controls, the E-PM2 a lot more than held its very own - - especially regarding image quality. The E-PM2 may attract photographers looking for the more simple point-and-shoot feel.
Size, feel, and handling. When I obtained the Olympus E-PM2 for your first time, it took me every one of three seconds to understand that, yes, this is often a very small and lightweight camera. On my first outing together with the E-PM2, I took it for the walk across the downtown area in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb where I was staying, and yes it felt essentially weightless in this little shoulder plus my small messenger bag, where it sat alongside an iPad. On later shooting days, it had been equally easy in this little back and shoulder.
The 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R kit lens that I was using along with it, though quite small for a standard zoom lens, is still somewhat bulky, which strained the proportions of my slim bag. If I owned this camera, I d almost definitely get one from the Micro Four Thirds pancake lenses, as well as the cool BCL-15mm f8.0 Body Cap Lens. With one of those optics, I d revel in sliding the PEN E-PM2 in a spare pocket during my bag or coat and paying hardly any weight penalty for doing this.
As we noted above, the little grip around the Olympus E-PM2 can t be removed. That s a waste, because I personally don t love the grip. In the a few days that I shot together with the camera, it merely didn t feel in my experience like it absolutely was doing me that much good. I felt much exactly the same way regarding the removable grip that s included together with the higher end E-PL5. That said, it isn't a deal breaker. While I think the grip mars you s otherwise sleek profile, it didn t detract by reviewing the portability.
The Olympus PEN E-PM2 does share one annoying quality while using E-PL5: the proper side strap attachment was constantly disturbing my right hand as I attempted to operate you s controls. I d rather utilize a single-point strap that attaches only for the left strap lug.
Happily, I didn t think you felt cramped in alternative methods. As I wandered around by it on a number of different days, shooting within the downtown elements of nearby towns, in cafes, and also on hikes in local county parks, I had no real trouble reaching its controls. That s partly as the E-PM2 doesn t have got all that many external controls - - in that respect it s much more a top-of-the-line point-and-shoot than a sophisticated interchangeable lens camera or PEN E-PL5 - - nonetheless it s also partly as the 3-inch touchscreen LCD doesn t tilt or articulate. That means Olympus could build the display flush across you s back where it doesn t get within the way of buttons and dials. I prefer the tilting LCD screen in the E-PL5, plus the flexibility it gives you, but see why they omitted about the E-PM2 to optimize its compactness.
One more thing that s missing around the E-PM2 is often a built-in flash, but much like the E-PL5, you comes bundled having an accessory flash FL-LM1 that might be attached for the E-PM2 through accessory port/hotshoe.
Controls. If the the first thing I noticed regarding the Olympus E-PM2 was its small size, the 2nd was the limited volume of external controls - - no mode dial, specifically. I was worried that meant the digital camera lacked some important advanced features, but with the most part that been found not to get true.
Even before my first outing with all the E-PM2, I arrange it to focus while using movie record button also to allow instant manual focus override. I also set the trunk control dial for direct adjustment in the aperture or shutter speed, determined by what exposure mode I was a student in. With that setup, it takes merely a click within the top button from the four-way controller allow exposure compensation. I also set your camera to show me whether highlights or shadows were clipping as I framed pictures about the LCD - - this is usually a really nice live exposure aid. Together, these settings provided extremely quick and flexible power over focus and exposure. If you re a bit of good at composition - - a non-trivial factor, admittedly - - you actually don t need quite definitely else.
I m accustomed to navigating camera menus with four-way controllers who's took me two full era of shooting together with the Olympus E-PM2 to understand that, the truth is, you s touchscreen can be a better, faster solution to make adjustments. It took awhile with this old dog to find out a new tricks, reported by users. The touchscreen, together together with the Super Control Panel SCP helps make the camera s lack of the mode dial as well as its relatively minimal quantity of external controls a lot less painful.
Super Control Panel. Once I got familiar with them, I found the E-PM2s touchscreen and Super Control Panel result in the camera simple to use - - while theres no physical mode dial.
Shooting in downtown Palo Alto one night, I could easily change ISO from shot to shot utilizing the Olympus E-PM2 s SCP, as I moved coming from a restaurant interior out for the sidewalk and back inside to your dessert cafe. On an alternative day, I was walking in another nearby town, transferring and outside of shadow and sunlight, and my shutter speeds were shifting rapidly from secure handholding speeds for example 1/250 to much riskier speeds inside the 1/30 range. The SCP i want to turn Image Stabilization don and doff in merely a second or two. I don t often change the exposure mode greatly, but that, too, may be done by touch.
In short, Olympus does a good job of while using capabilities of the touchscreen to produce the E-PM2 a fine and usable camera, even for an enthusiast photographer, while still keeping the amount of external buttons and controls to your minimum.
I was thankful the useful control system I just described kept me mostly out of the key menu system around the Olympus E-PM2 considering that the menus are complex and frequently hard to work out precisely the same was true about the E-PL5. But the upside for the complexity is that you is very customizable, and this was a big portion of why I could work it to shoot in a manner that pleased me. I ll take that tradeoff.
Performance. My first shots with all the Olympus E-PM2 were in downtown Menlo Park, and inside the first 30 approximately pictures I could see both strengths and weaknesses with the camera s autofocus system. Shooting flowers, storefronts as well as a few pictures on the town s section, I was impressed with how rapid and accurate the AF method is for stationary subjects in S-AF mode. All the Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras introduced ever since the OM-D E-M5 share this phenomenal S-AF performance. But as I was shooting storefronts, I spotted some teenage boys riding their bikes along the sidewalk. I switched your camera into Continuous AF C-AF and aimed to track them. I got some sharp pictures, but many that weren t - - almost every one of those were backfocused. But thats an issue that even higher-end cameras can offer.
A few days later, I took the Olympus PEN E-PM2 with me at night when I decided for dinner in Palo Alto. I shot some pictures inside both a restaurant along with a cafe, and outside inside very dark streets. The camera s S-AF system maintained its excellent speed and accuracy in relatively bright indoor light. In the far lower light within the street, the AF slowed up, although not by quite definitely. For far from moving subjects, the E-PM2 s autofocus never ok, i'll down. Later, I tried C-AF again on some bicyclists and cars, but my outcome was no better than with all the bike-riding boys. The PEN E-PM2 just can t autofocus wonderfully on moving subjects.
The rest from the Olympus PEN E-PM2 s functions turned out to be pleasingly fast. I didn t possess practical use with the 8 frames-per-second burst rate, but I used it a number of times simply to hear it work. It sounds great! In normal use, I never overran the PEN E-PM2 s image buffer, and I never felt myself expecting buttons and controls to answer inputs. I like responsive cameras - - as well as this point within the evolution of photo digital portrait photography, I expect them. The PEN E-PM2 didn t disappoint me.
Just how fast will be the Olympus E-PM2? Find out by clicking here to view our full battery
of rigorous, objective speed and operation tests conducted within the IR Lab.
LCD and touchscreen operation. When I finally figured seem to use the touch functionality in the Olympus E-PM2 s LCD screen, it worked nicely. It s sensitive, precise and to operate quickly and without mistakes. The SCP, by way of example, clusters 21 adjustable functions within a window that measures roughly 2 x 1 inches on the watch's screen, but I had no trouble pressing the right button when I had to change a setting. I tested the touch-to-shoot function, the place you touch a spot about the LCD s live view display along with the camera concentrates on that spot and shoots. It worked very well and quickly, but I doubt I d put it to use much. I found it awkward to hold your camera in one hand and poke at it together with the other, but maybe that s another old dog thing.
VF-3: One on the three optional electronic viewfinders available to the E-PM2.
I had bright sunshine for four away from my five daytime shoots together with the Olympus PEN E-PM2, and I sometimes had just a little trouble seeing the LCD good enough to frame effectively - - mostly when I was investigating the sun, trying for making backlit shots. I ve also used cameras with sharper LCDs, though the E-PM2 s is definitely good enough for me personally. I had no trouble composing images when sunlight wasn t an issue or judging the sharpness of shots I d already taken. If this gets a frequent problem, invariably you could purchase one of three different compatible electronic viewfinders that Olympus makes.
Lens. I don t get too anxious about most kit lenses, and although 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R that comes together with the Olympus PEN E-PM2 is greater than average, it wasn t really very. Still, for my style of shooting, it covers a good range of focal lengths, and I immediately liked its light weight and also the fact so it can retract in a fairly compact package. For my knockaround shooting close by town, and out hiking, it turned out fine. And while the lens is produced mostly of plastic, I liked the sleek feel in the zoom action. On some macro shots of flowers, I focused manually along with the focus ring, while somewhat under-damped, provided me precise control on the focus point. In any case, its definitely worth it to have the E-PM2 kitted on this 14-42mm lens, because its just 50 extra compared on the 300 list price on the lens itself.
Image quality. Like its up-market sibling, the E-PL5, the Olympus E-PM2 produced images that distinctly impressed me. My test shots were quite sharp and detailed - - I have without a doubt I could make sharp prints nearly large print sizes for instance 24 x 36 inches feelings thats based on our Print Quality analysis, below. Ive used many, many Olympus old digital cameras over the years, and Ive always liked the pleasing and saturated, although not over-the-top, colors of these JPEG images; the PEN E-PM2 was no exception.
I shot test images while using Olympus E-PM2 at ISO settings as much as 3, 200, plus they retain good detail with relatively low noise. Like other recent Olympus Micro Four-Thirds cameras with 16-megapixel sensors, the E-PM2 can be a definite step-up in high ISO image quality - - eliminating one with the few reservations I had about by using these small cameras for your kind of knockabout street shooting where I want to work with them.
You can look at the IR Labs in-depth Olympus E-PM2 image quality test results to the information,
and read further on inside review for side-by-side comparisons up against the E-PM2s top competitors.
Movies. Among the few external controls about the Olympus E-PM2 is really a dedicated movie recording button. It makes recording movies simple at any time, and I tried on the extender to spontaneously capture short clips of an individual walking and drinking coffee at outdoor cafes when I was otherwise engaged in shooting still images. It s handy to become able to modify seamlessly forwards and backwards. I didn t do an in-depth analysis in the PEN E-PM2 s video image quality, but I did observe that, such as E-PL5, the digital camera picks up lots of internal focusing and zoom noise from a unique lens and from perhaps the slightest touches around the body or lens. See below for more for the E-PM2s video recording capabilities, including a sample.
Summary. Despite several quibbles so it shares in common using the E-PL5, the Olympus E-PM2 exceeded my expectations. Though its smaller, cheaper and will lack some physical controls, its no dumbed-down machine. The E-PM2 shoots fast, takes beautiful pictures and boasts advanced photographic capabilities available on much higher-end models. Id recommend the E-PM2 to individuals stepping up coming from a point-and-shoot since it offers a not too difficult, intuitive transition into interchangeable lens systems and lots of room to cultivate. Id also recommend the PEN E-PM2 to enthusiasts looking for any second camera to square in to get a more bulky or expensive system - - so long as theyre comfortable using touchscreen controls.
To demonstrate a greater portion of what the Olympus E-M2 can give, we shot additional images employing a variety on the cameras built-in creative filters and recorded a Full HD 1080p video as an instance its video chops.
The Olympus E-PM2s Art Mode provides a nice array of filters and inventive effects that happen to be tastefully done, and a lot come with adjustment settings that allow you vary the volume of creative processing applied or add more effects.
Art Filter: The E-PM2 features both an Art and Scene modes for enhanced creative effects. The Art mode features a large number of filter effects, several of which are shown inside the table above, that may really alter your photos to match your creative style. All on the Art modes feature additional subsets of effects as well as the ability to increase the effects, for instance frames about the image.
Scene modes are similar to all kinds of other digital cameras and includes standard presets including a Landscape, Portrait, Night and Macro modes. The E-PM2 also features other Scene modes like Nature Macro for small objects like insects, Candle for warm-toned scenes shot by candlelight, and Beach Snow for bright, white snow or white sandy beach scenes. Other Scene modes are designed for use with optional lens converters or specialized lenses just like a 3D lens.
Video: The Olympus E-PM2 provides Full HD 1080p video recording capabilities, including full-time autofocus and PASM support much more movie mode. However, the digital camera is somewhat restricted to providing a set frame rate of 30 fps and electronic IS.
I took the E-PM2 out by way of a local pond to shoot several short videos of some ducks and geese travelling. If the subjects continued to be, the videos look great. However when ducks did start to walk around, and I were forced to pan and move your camera to follow them, I noticed pretty severe visual artifacting inside video, particularly on complex scenes blades of grass and throughout the edges of objects. While motion JPEG capture was a bit better, moir and compression artifacts were visible as well as highest resolution in this particular mode is simply 720p. Overall, while its nice in order to quickly flip to shooting some quick videos with all the E-PM2, we found film image quality to become average at best.
together with insight on how you handles a number of recording situations,
ranging from night-time shooting to rolling shutter tests.
Below are crops comparing the Olympus E-PM2 with all the Nikon J3, Olympus E-PL5, Panasonic G5, Olympus OM-D E-M5, along with the Sony NEX-F3. Were starting while using base ISO showing the best each camera are able to do, then moving onto ISO 1600, 3200, and after that more details with ISO 6400 below.
NOTE: These images would be best quality JPEGs straight out with the camera, at default settings including noise reduction.
The Nikon J3 includes a smaller 1-inch-type 14-megapixel sensor, but is in a very similar price category because the E-PM2. As you'll be able to see, the improved sensor size and resolution helped the PEN clearly out-resolve the Nikon to all three images, particularly the mosaic. However, the Nikon did perform a better job from the last crop regarding details inside the red fabric.
Despite having a similar 16-megapixel sensor and image processor, the flagship OM-D E-M5 seems to beat the E-PM2 in all of the three crops. You can really view a difference inside the mosaic, in addition to in the pink fabric swatch.
The E-PM2 and E-PL5 are essentially identical when it comes to technical specifications, is actually these three crops you may see which the images reflect this.
The first 2 crops compare very similarly between E-PM2 and also the G5, however for the fabric swatches within the third image, the Panasonic clearly wins inside red leaf fabric area and shows an indication more detail within the pink area.
The NEX-F3 is Sonys direct price competitor together with the E-PM2, as well as the larger APS-C sensor in the Sony produces a clear difference inside the last two crops, particularly with all the fabric swatches. The first crops look quite similar with perhaps simply a fraction more detail in the Sony camera.
Most digital SLRs and CSCs will produce an outstanding ISO 100 shot, and then we like to push them and find out what they are able to do as compared to other cameras at ISO 1, 600, 3, 200, and 6, 400. Recent advances in sensor technology have elected ISO 1, 600 look a lot much more ISO 100, but you can still find cameras whose quality actually starts to fall apart only at that setting. We also choose 1, 600 because we like in order to shoot at least with this level when indoors possibly at night.
Its quite obvious readily available comparisons that this larger sensor with the Olympus camera produces a world of difference. Even with all the default a higher level noise reduction enabled around the E-PM2, your camera heavily out-resolved the Nikon in every three crops.
Both the E-PM2 and E-M5 produced similar images at ISO 1600, nevertheless, there may be more detail within the mosaic image on the E-M5. Still, the quality from the much lower-priced E-PM2 is clearly on display here.
Like the earlier comparison, the two of these cameras - - boasting exactly the same sensor and even more - - produce almost identical images, even as would expect.
Compared on the G5 at ISO 1600, the E-PM2 produced much sharper, better images with better color. The mosaic pattern, as an example, through the E-PM2 has additional fine detail similar to the threads inside pink fabric swatch.
At ISO 1600, the wonderful pictures from those two cameras compare quite similarly, even though winner remains to be the Sony NEX-F3 as evidenced from the mosaic and fabric images, which retain more details. The NEX-F3 does however show some odd JPEG artifacting inside the pink fabric swatch.
Todays ISO 3, 200 is yesterdays ISO 1, 600, so below are precisely the same crops at ISO 3, 200.
At ISO 3200, the Nikon J3 has clear difficulties producing any fine details. The E-PM2 may be the obvious winner here in this particular comparison, still having the ability to resolve some detail inside the mosaic image.
As weve seen inside the previous comparison of the two of these cameras, both have the ability to produce much the same images. The OM-D E-M5 could have a slight advantage in fine details from the mosaic image, but otherwise the E-PM2 stacks up nicely.
Not surprisingly, both of these cameras produced practically identical shots again.
The winner here could be the E-PM2. The default noise reduction for the Panasonic G5 includes a significant impact about the level of fine details at ISO 3200. Noise reduction artifacts are additional noticeable within the Panasonic images, as shown from the first crop within the bottle, and also the mosaic and fabric patterns are almost non-existent through the G5.
The Sony NEX-F3 clearly takes the cake in this particular comparison, with considerably more detail inside fabric shot particularly. The first set of two images look fairly similar just like the mosaic images, although there is usually a bit more fine detail from the persons robe and hair within the NEX-F3 image.
Detail comparison. High-contrast detail is usually important, pushing the digital camera in different ways. So theyre worth a glance as well by causing comparisons with the base ISO then ISO 3200 and 6400. Its no real shock here that three Olympus cameras look fairly similar, even though the E-PL5 and E-M5 appear a bit sharper. The Nikon J3 is clearly from its element here, not coming close for the sharpness and detail through the other cameras with larger sensors. On the other side of things, its interesting to see that in spite of a larger APS-C size sensor, compared towards the Micro Four Thirds sensors in the Olympus and Panasonic cameras, the Sony NEX-F3 doesnt produce sharper, more descriptive images here. In fact, in any respect ISO levels, the Olympus cameras perform a much better job, especially at ISO 6400.
Prints a good 24 x 36 at ISO 200; ISO 1600 capable of an good 13 x 19 inch print; with a superb 4 x 6 at ISO 12, 800.
ISO 200 prints look excellent at 24 x 36 inches, and yields the ideal wall display print as much as 36 x 48.
ISO 400 prints are nice and crisp at 20 x 30, with minor softening inside the red swatch of the test target that's typical for many people cameras; capable of your nice wall display print as much as 30 x 40.
ISO 800 yields a great 16 x 20 inch print using the exception of an loss on the flip side in our red swatch, but is otherwise sharp with vibrant colors.
ISO 1600 prints stand out at 13 x 19 inches, with minor noise within the shadows and minor above mentioned softness; suited to less critical applications at 16 x 20 inches.
ISO 3200 yields prints we consider efficient at 11 x 14, but a lot of an individual will find 13 x 19 perfectly acceptable.
ISO 6400 prints a great 8 x 10 just for this ISO, with only minor grain from the shadows in our target.
ISO 12, 800 yields a good 4 x 6 inch print, with nice color for a real high ISO.
ISO 25, 600 prints undoubtedly are a bit too grainy to get called great at 4 x 6.
The Olympus E-PM2 is competent at producing nice large prints at low ISOs, outstanding because of its price. It demonstrates excellent high ISO performance approximately ISO 1600, and makes surprisingly nice-looking 8 x 10s at ISO 6400. Please note that people shoot these test shots with your sharp reference lenses in order showing what you body is able to, and results with all the kit lenses can vary greatly somewhat.
At its heart, the Olympus E-PM2 includes much in the DNA from the popular Micro Four Thirds flagship model, the OM-D E-M5. Both cameras share exactly the same pairing of image sensor and processor, nevertheless the PM2 places them of what Olympus says could be the smallest and lightest PEN-series body.
The Olympus PM2s image sensor is really a 4:3-aspect, 16.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor furnished by Sony. Its efficient at providing images in a maximum resolution of four years old, 608 x 3, 456 pixels. Sensitivity through the chip ranges of up to ISO 25, 600 equivalent, precisely the same upper limit as within the OM-D E-M5.
Output in the imager is handled by the TruePic VI image processor, a designation first found in last years E-P3 mirrorless camera.
Although its exactly the same processor used inside the E-M5, the Olympus PM2s burst performance isnt quite as swift as that camera. With focus locked, the E-PM2 can deliver an entire eight frames per second, swift by mirrorless standards however one less compared to the E-M5 provides.
Enable tracking autofocus though, which falls with a more sedate 3.5 frames per second, about 0.7 fps slower versus the E-M5.
Like all PEN-series models, the Olympus E-PM2 sports a Micro Four Thirds lens mount which could accept a range of over 30 dedicated lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and Voigtl nder. Admittedly, several of such are virtually identical to the other person in specification; theres still somewhat over 20 models that happen to be reasonably distinct, however. Courtesy of various first- and third-party adapters, the Micro Four Thirds mount also can accept a huge assortment of older glass including lenses manufactured for Olympus and Panasonics full-sized Four Thirds cameras, albeit often with limitations regarding autofocus, exposure, etc.
There were several new lenses announced alongside the Olympus PM2. These include the unusual BCL-15 Body Cap Lens a 9mm-thick, three element f/8, manual focus pancake which typically costs US50, the DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 US500, plus a limited-edition black version with the DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 US1, 100. The latter two lenses started shipping in October 2012. The new DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 US500 prime also started shipping December 2012, as well as the revised 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II ED US550 telephoto zoom started shipping March 2013.
Although the Olympus PEN PM2 does include in-body image stabilization, its not precisely the same system used inside the E-M5. Hence, it corrects just for pitch and yaw similar to most other stabilization systems. It lacks the E-M5s capacity to correct for roll, or up/down and left/right translational motions.
Another thing that does help it become across intact from your popular E-M5 will be the PEN E-PM2s contrast detection autofocus system. Branded as Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology, or FAST AF for brief, its something thats claimed to give the worlds fastest autofocusing when coupled using the Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens. That comes thanks to some stunning readout speed of 240 frames per second though with reduced accuracy for continuous autofocus, along with a more typical 120 fps readout rate with maximum accuracy for single autofocus.
Like that inside M5, the Olympus PM2s contrast detection AF system is still equipped with 35 fixed autofocus point locations, together with the points arranged in a very 7 x 5 array that covers most on the image frame. You can switch to your small single-point focus point that you'll be able to position in places you need it just by tapping within the cameras touchscreen, however. And to assist with working on nearby subjects in low light, the PM2 retains its predecessors autofocus assist lamp.
As youd expect, Olympus dust removal system is protected in the E-PM2. This vibrates the quilt glass on the sensor having a dedicated piezoelectric element to shake dust free, then captures it while on an adhesive strip below the sensor.
Theres no built-in viewfinder, nevertheless the Olympus E-PM2 retains the companys proprietary Accessory Port 2 underneath its flash hot shoe, which allows the digital camera to accept a volume of accessories. These include the identical two electronic viewfinders used in combination with past Olympus cameras VF-2 and VF-3, the brand new VF-4 with firmware upgrade, along with all the SEMA-1 external microphone adapter, MAL-1 Macro Arm Light, and PENPAL Bluetooth Communication Unit accessories.
The PM1s 3.0-inch, 460, 000 dot, 16:9 aspect LCD panel is retained within the PEN PM2, but having an important change. The panel itself now includes a gapless design which places a capacitive touch sensitive layer in between your LCD itself along with the protective cover glass. The removal on the air gap should translate to reduced glare and contrast. Theres also now an anti-smudge coating that ought to reduce the probability of fingerprints around the display. You can now select Vivid or Natural display modes, at the same time.
Weve mentioned the touchscreen display, through the way, as well as worth noting that this is usually a new addition considering that the E-PM1. The Olympus PM2s touchscreen technology not only lets you set focus and produce adjustments; you'll be able to even trip the shutter which has a tap within the LCD panel. And since its a capacitive design like higher-end smartphones, it has to be sensitive enough for this with almost no camera shake. Theres and a vertical touch navigation menu called up by pressing the Menu button, that produces light work of mode changes.
Theres no built-in flash, though the Olympus PM2 does come together with the same FL-LM1 accessory flash which was included with all the PM1.
This flash features a guide variety of 10 meters at ISO 200 equivalent. The E-PM2s hot shoe could also accept a selection of other, stronger strobes. Flash sync is possible nearly 1/250 second depending about the flash, plus the E-PM2 also allows Super FP flash between 1/125 and 1/4, 000 second, if sustained by the attached flash.
The E-PM2 also supports four-channel wireless flash using the bundled strobe being a master, and off-camera flash strobes configured in as much as 3 groups
Olympus has produced a volume of changes for the creative options inside the PEN PM2. These include a fresh high dynamic range bracketing mode, with an additional six Art Filters.
Unfortunately, the newest HDR bracketing mode isn't going to automatically combine multiple shots like some cameras, but continues to be useful for post processing a graphic with greater dynamic range than is possible within a single exposure. This is because exposure steps are greater than whats provided by standard exposure bracketing. Options are: 3 or 5 frames by 50 % or 3 EV steps, or 7 frames into two EV steps. The additional Art Filters are Pale Light Color, Light Tone, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Key Line and Watercolor, which can be added for the six filter types seen in the PM1 Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, and Dramatic Tone.
You can continue to record hd 1, 920 x 1, 080 pixel movies together with the Olympus PL5, but there are several changes and additions within this area, too.
The E-PM1 shot Full HD 1080i at 60i and HD 720p at 60p as the E-PM2 shoots both at 30p. File format has changed from MTS to more widely supported MOV MPEG-4AVC/H.264. Both cameras provide 720p and VGA resolutions in AVI Motion JPEG format, also at 30p.
Like its predecessor, image stabilization in movie mode is electronic only.
Thanks on the new touchscreen, you'll be able to now simply tap to select a brand new focus point during video capture, rendering it easy to guide your viewers attention with a different subject.
You could also now switch between different art filters during recording, something weve not seen before from any manufacturer.
So that this change isnt jarring, one filter effect will fade out along with the other will fade in. Its a neat concept that could be fun if you're the type who enjoys these effects.
You may also now enable what Olympus calls Movie Teleconverter, which can be essentially an adjustable focal length crop.
Since there is no mechanical adjustment being made, this can be silent. It also shouldnt significantly degrade image quality, since you aren't using interpolation. Beyond that inherent in most Bayer-filtered cameras, anyway.
Connectivity includes the Accessory Port 2, USB 2.0 data, Micro HDMI Type D, as well as an analog audio/video output using the combined USB/AV port. The USB port also supports the RM-UC1 remote cable.
The Olympus E-PM2 doesnt include built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, however the company has produced support for Toshibas FlashAir WiFi-capable flash cards into your PM2s firmware.
An Olympus application for Android and iOS os's allows sharing of photos in the camera via your smartphone, and also application of filters to your photos before sharing. You may use the existing PenPal accessory to transfer images for a phone via Bluetooth.
Theres a Secure Digital card slot, also it supports both the bigger-capacity SDHC or SDXC card types, plus the greater-speed UHS-I types. Eye-Fi cards will also be supported, though not Endless Memory.
Secure Digital cards that has a Speed Class of 6 or over are suitable for HD movie recording.
Power comes courtesy of any proprietary BLS-5 lithium-ion power supply, as well as a BCS-5 charger is protected in the product bundle. The BLS-5 lithium-ion battery power is CIPA-rated for 360 shots per charge, though we don't realize if that includes 50% flash shots using the bundled FL-LM1 flash.
Olympus doesn't appear to provide an AC adapter for your PM2.
Available since October 2012, the Olympus PEN E-PM2 was originally costing about US550 body-only. Four body colors are offered: black, red, silver, or white. A kit bundling the DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R the len's originally retailed for US600. Since then, Olympus has reduced MSRP of their body and kits by 100 to about US450 and US500 respectively.
A few new accessories will also be offered alongside the PEN E-PM2 camera body. These include the CS-38B leather body jacket in four different colors and also the CBG-8 camera bag.
Olympus E-PM2 camera body in black, silver, red or white
Excellent image quality especially for your price!, with good color and dynamic range, thanks for the 16-megapixel sensor borrowed through the acclaimed Olympus OM-D E-M5
Extremely compact and lightweight design, with well-thought-out ergonomics and control layout
Overall speedy performance, including start-up, AF, shutter lag and shot-to-shot times that bests its predecessor, the E-PM1
Immensely customizable controls, especially using Olympus Mysets to make different presets that you quickly can toggle among
Super Control Panel makes changing settings and mode easy, when you figure out how to activate it
iAuto mode for simple, automatic scene-detecting shooting
Full HD video recording at 30p, with stereo sound
12 in-camera Art Filters, including Diorama and Pop Art, and 7 Art filter effects for both stills and videos
Fast 8 frames-per-second Continuous shooting, when pre-focused
Good life cycle of battery, at CIPA-rated 360 shots per charge
Excellent print quality, with nice prints delivered approximately 24 x 36 at ISO 200
A great value at 500 MSRP while using 14-42mm kit lens, though we found the kit starting as low as 380 already
Menus are confusing, frustrating which enable it to take hours to understand
No physical Mode dial; controls and menus are primarily accessed and operated by touchscreen
Continuous shooting falls to some mediocre 3.5 frames per second when tracking AF is enabled
Though the 14-42mm is rather good for the kit lens, we recommend looking for better Micro Four Thirds glass from Olympus and others
The Olympus E-PM2 is definitely an exceptional upgrade in the companys entry-level offering. And thats saying lots, since weve been very pleased with all the image quality and overall speedy performance from the Olympus PEN compact system camera line over days gone by couple of years.
Like the stepup PEN E-PL5, the PEN E-PM2 inherits the wonderful 16-megapixel sensor through the groundbreaking OM-D E-M5, one individuals all-time favorite cameras. Bolstered from this sensor plus the TruePic VI image processor also borrowed through the E-M5, the look quality we saw in the E-PM2 been shown to be nothing below stellar - - demonstrating accurate colors, an extraordinary dynamic range and a great deal of detail. When you consider the cameras entry-level status and price, such image quality is undoubtedly an outright amazing feat and rivals that relating to much higher-end CSCs and DSLRs.
The E-PM2 also improves upon the short operation of the predecessor, the E-PM1, providing blazing speed with regards to start up, mode switching, autofocus, single-shot cycle times plus more. The cameras Continuous mode averaged 8 frames per second - - not to ever shabby - - but falls with a more pedestrian 3.5 fps when tracking AF is enabled. Overall, we found the FAST Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology AF for being responsive and accurate in the majority of situations, though it's just not as great when tracking motion action or shooting video.
The E-PM2 is slightly smaller and lighter, and comes with a less robust build versus the stepup E-PL5. It also lacks an actual physical Mode dial, a couple of buttons as well as a tilting LCD, instead relying more heavily within the touchscreen controls of their fixed 3-inch LCD monitor. In that regard, it reminded us a lot of an point-and-shoot which may be a pro or con, based on your needs. And in the end, theres always the Olympus E-PL5 for around 100 more if these functions are must-haves. For those who like fixed touchscreens, however, the E-PM2s wont disappoint - - its responsive and convenient, and in some cases offers touch focus and shutter on both stills and video.
The Olympus E-PM2 suffers in the same maze-like menu system with the E-PL5, which many of us here at IR had significant difficulties finding out. However, as soon as you study the system you are able to tweak it so its additional user friendly to function, especially when it is possible to figure out how to activate the cameras Super Control Panel and make a bunch of presets Olympus Mysets. Within the menus, youll look for a ton of advanced functions along with the E-PM2s immense customizability. We were in awe of how sophisticated this small, entry-level camera could be for any patient and motivated photographer.
For every one of these reasons plus much more, the Olympus E-PM2 must be seriously considered by photographers trying to step up off their point-and-shoots, and may attract enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive but sophisticated second camera. Overall, the E-PM2 offers a huge mix of image quality, speed and suppleness at an entry-level price. For every one of these reasons, we gave it a Daves Pick.
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includes batteries, kit lens
The Olympus E-PL5 packs serious photographic power into a smaller package - - thanks in large part to your 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor it borrows on the company s acclaimed OM-D E-M5. The image quality produced by the compact system camera with this price point is merely astounding. Though the E-PL5 s menu method is confusing and confounding, people that have patience will see themselves pleased using the camera s advanced, immensely customizable controls. Add to pretty much everything very fast and responsive shooting performance, and also the Olympus E-PL5 emerges being a strong contender for enthusiasts aiming to ditch their bulky DSLRs, and also beginners upgrading into their first interchangeable lens camera.
Excellent image quality with good color and dynamic range; Great high ISO performance for the class; Extremely speedy performer, with fast and accurate autofocus on stationary subjects; Lightweight, compact and ergonomic design; Touchscreen LCD that tilts all the way up forward when planning on taking self portraits; Tons of advanced functions and customizable options.
Confusing and frustrating menu system takes hours to get down; AF isn t optimal to take fast-motion action shots; LCD viewfinding suffers under sunlight; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash but a tiny external flash is roofed.
The Olympus E-PL5 began shipping inside the market in October 2012, initially pricing US650 body only in black, silver or white, or US700 when kitted having an Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 contact lens. Olympus has since dropped one's body only price to US550 as well as the kit to US600.
Suggestion for improvement? Head over here.
Tiny and feature-rich as these people were, Olympus saw fit to revamp their two smallest PEN cameras just fifteen months after their introduction. The higher-end model, the
remains about precisely the same size, nevertheless it gains a number of features from their E-P3 as well as the OM-D E-M5, which have some cool stuff to supply. The most obvious addition on the E-PL5 will be the included removable grip from your E-P3. What isnt quite as obvious would be the inclusion from the very fine 16-megapixel sensor handed down in the OM-D E-M5. Sitting up now? You must be, because thats a excellent sensor, now available from the tiny, reasonably-priced
Design. Ive spent a a lot of extra time using the older cameras, and I didnt feel an excellent need for just a grip, but dont mind that theyve included one. Great the reason is removable, though. More important and valuable is 16-megapixel sensor thats impressed me so much from the E-M5. This matte black version is appealing to the street photographer, to get sure, though Im sure the purist would favor no chrome.
Stereo microphones flank the shoe, and also a silver speaker grille peeks out form beneath you name. A simple mode dial is well positioned in order to avoid accidental activation. The power button is on the right of shutter button, and also a small focal plane indicator is off towards the right of this. Its important to notice that this brand of Pens still uses the D-rings, which means you need to get careful when shooting video to silence this metal-to-metal link to prevent rattle within your audio.
The Olympus E-PL5 retains the tilting 3-inch LCD screen, though the brand new design tilts upward 170 degrees to take care of forward for self-portraits. Note the deeper notch within the top on the LCD to raised fit within the hot shoe. All the rest on the buttons are precisely the same as the E-PL3, including an actual physical Mode dial up top, except how the Movie Record button has shifted right a lttle bit, probably to relieve accidental activation.
One advanced feature, if you're into it, may be the addition of touchscreen capabilities on the Olympus E-PL5. That includes their touch shutter function, where touching around the screen targets that spot and fires. The touch shutter also works while recording HD videos, and like its predecessor, the E-PL5 can shoot movies nearly Full HD 1, 920 x 1, 080-pixel with stereo audio.
Fast shooter. As we say, the Olympus E-PL5 seemed very much just like the E-PL3, until we first pressed the shutter button when it turned out in continuous drive mode, and it also cranked off a couple of shots at the very rapid pace. This compact camera with an excellent sensor along with-body image stabilization can rip off nearly 8 frames per second, something few larger DSLRs can perform. Do note which the 8 fps only is sold with focus locked - - it achieves a far more pedestrian 3.5 fps when using the AF tracking - - however it is still impressive.
Overall, Olympuss offerings are simply getting more impressive, together with the broadest variety of small mirrorless lenses, really quick autofocus, small bodies, fast frame rate, innovative design and excellent image quality.
As among continuing Olympus innovation, the BCL-15 Body Cap Lens at left is really a manual-focus design, focusing with all the slider at front. Its a smaller 15mm prime lens through an f/8 aperture, though Olympus highlights it has three good-quality glass elements. I found it absolutely was easy to concentrate by pressing the magnification device . button around the back in the camera and sliding the attention control.
Ever since it turned out announced, the Olympus PEN E-PL5 is tops on my own wish list a wish list that Santa callously ignored, I regret to express. My ideal camera would combine good overall performance plus a reasonably advanced group of controls inside the smallest possible package. The E-PL5 is aimed pretty squarely during this sweet spot, specifically when you pair it with one of the numerous, tiny Micro Four Thirds lenses available inside the marketplace, so I was especially desirous to get my on the job this little camera.
Size, feel and handling. I happened being staying inside the San Francisco Bay Area when testing the Olympus E-PL5, as well as my first outing together with the camera I decided to consider it to get a hike in the interesting place known as The Dish Area - - a form of nature preserve belonging to Stanford University, open for the public and dotted with several radio telescopes dishes. I hiked the loop trail, a 3.5-mile path which has a devilish assortment of steep 200 to 500 ft. ascents and descents. I shot about 50 pictures in slightly more than couple of hours, and also the E-PL5s weight and bulk with all the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R kit lens were simply unnoticeable. Over the course with the next week, I carried it when camping for hours every single day in big and small messenger bags, or hanging from my shoulder, but again it turned out too small and light-weight to notice. I couldnt have already been happier.
For the Dish hike, I had the included, detachable MCG-4 grip installed. Its plastic and fairly slim so doesnt add much bulk for the Olympus PEN E-PL5, but personally it didnt increase the grippability on the camera that much, so I finished up banishing it to that component of my bag known as The Pocket of No Return. A nice touch that the removable.
I love the portability in the Olympus PEN E-PL5 but physics always provides the last word, plus the cameras small size brings some inevitable handling compromises. Squeezing the tiltable LCD screen - - which consists of substantial mounting structure - - as well as a reasonably serious range of external buttons and controls to the back and top deck with this tiny camera makes to get a cramped setup. I noticed it immediately on my small hike as I was instructed to develop new kinds of finger yoga so that you can simultaneously operate the buttons for the back with the camera plus the shutter release for reference, Im 62 tall while using large-ish fingers that can along with that. And the correct-side strap attachment was always around my way, disturbing my operation on the cameras crucial controls. If I were to buy an E-PL5, Id definitely get one on the straps that attaches into a single point within the camera, and Id hook it up on the left strap lug only.
Finger yoga aside, I had no trouble with all the buttons and dials for the Olympus E-PL5 once I got them available. Yes, the controls are small, but I could quickly and precisely make just the setting changes I had to. Bottom line: the E-PL5s small size causes a couple of minor handling drawbacks, but personally, the cameras superb portability in excess of makes up for this.
Menus. Unfortunately, the E-PL5 incorporates a rather tricky - - dare we say, labyrinthine - - menu system making it difficult and time-consuming to examine its considerable settings and controls.
Controls. Even before I hit the Dish trail, I spent a couple of hours checking out the Olympus E-PL5s control setup and menu system - - and hours is the thing that it takes. The camera is exceedingly customizable even so the menu product is almost as extremely inscrutable at default. If youve got the patience, its really worth the time to explore your entire options and hang up up you just the way you would like it. Be advised, you will want the manual to work this out.
My starting point was to separate the E-PL5s autofocus activation on the shutter release and hang the autofocus mode to Single AF Manual Focus, that enables instant manual focus override. I loved the flexibility on this setup, which provided me a large amount of seamless choices for focusing quickly and accurately.
I then configured the Olympus PEN E-PL5s live view display to demonstrate me shadow and highlight clipping warnings and hang up the exposure system to present me direct control with the aperture while using rear dial and quick, one-click usage of exposure compensation. With this setup I could right away zero in within the best exposure on several tricky late-afternoon shots for the Dish trail, - - including tree silhouettes plus a pastoral image with cows grazing in the meadow lit by streaky sunlight, having a sidelit 150 ft. radio telescope inside the background. It worked equally efficiently for some flower and store window images I created in subsequent shoots inside the downtown aspects of two nearby towns, Menlo Park and Palo Alto.
Super Control Panel. Olympus balanced the difficult menu system using the easy and intuitive Super Control Panel. A welcome relief - - after you figure out how to activate it!
While shooting in those downtown areas, I was constantly transferring and away from shadow and sunlight, and, on a single day, from twilight to night. So I was doing a great deal of ISO changing from shot to shot. I tried assigning ISO for the Olympus E-PL5s function Fn button, but that didnt find yourself making me any happier than changing ISO from the cameras Super Control Panel SCP. The SCP worked very well once I got utilized to it. I also put on the extender to quickly turn Image Stabilization off and on I want it being off and never mucking about with my pictures when my shutter speeds are high enough that it is just not needed. The SCP also allow me to quickly change autofocus modes, burst shooting speeds and many other things. The SCP isnt much better than dedicated buttons for people functions, nonetheless it didnt slow me down much, so Ive got no complaints.
Unfortunately, Olympus did decide to bury the autoexposure bracketing function inside E-PL5s menus. Ive used a great deal of Olympus cameras over earlier times 10 years, and Olympus just doesnt often get bracketing; they apparently do not know why and ways in which people want to utilize it. But I found a pleasant workaround. I made a custom function set a Myset in Olympus lingo with bracketing activated. And then I used a very nice feature in the E-PL5, which inadvertently saves Olympus from other own cluelessness about bracketing. You can re-assign positions about the mode dial - - iAuto or Art, for instance - - to any of your respective four Mysets. So I re-assigned Art mode to my bracketing Myset and might go in and from bracketing mode through an instant twist from the mode dial. This worked beautifully for occasions where I wanted to protect all my exposure bases, including some shots in a iconic Menlo Park tavern called The Dutch Goose and about the nighttime streets of University Avenue in Palo Alto, which still had its Christmas fires up.
All in every, I came away satisfied with all the Olympus E-PL5s controls. I was worried theyd be too rudimentary in my opinion, although not so: the key basics of focus and exposure control are perfectly-implemented, and I could shoot happily using this camera for just a long time.
Performance. It took just a couple of shots for the Dish Area trail to discover that the Olympus E-PL5 autofocuses really quick on stationary subjects. Later, when I viewed these plus the rest of my test shots closely around the computer, I found the focus have also been perfectly accurate. For static subjects, this cameras autofocus is simply super reliable, plus fact, I wound up never really needing the manual focus override that I had enabled.
When my subjects started moving, things got a bit rough. In downtown Menlo Park, I used the Olympus E-PL5 to generate a few quick grab shots of some teenage boys bicycling within the sidewalks plus the results: almost all were from focus. On subsequent days, taking life at your fingertips, I stood within the side of your busy road and tried some tests on bicyclists and cars, while using the cameras Continuous Autofocus mode plus the Continuous Low burst mode 3 frames per second. And although I got some sharp shots including one in which a driver was staring back at me suspiciously - - sorry commuters!, my outcome was mixed at best. I dont think I would depend on this camera for fast-action shooting.
Just how fast may be the Olympus E-PL5? Find out by clicking here to view our full battery
of rigorous, objective speed and operation tests conducted inside the IR Lab.
Autofocus : When faced with stationary objects the E-PL5 nailed the attention perfectly, but were built with a tougher time on moving subjects.
However, from the days that I shot by it, everything else concerning the Olympus E-PL5 was snappy - - exactly the way it has to be. Theres nothing good to get said about waiting for any camera to reply to control inputs, or write pictures into a memory card, or play back your images, and, happily, the PEN E-PL5 never forced me to wait.
LCD. Im a major fan of tilting and articulating LCDs - - the ability to compose easily while using camera held at different heights and angles is usually a huge benefit. So, for me personally, the Olympus PEN E-PL5s LCD was way ahead from the game through the start. In four different cafes and restaurants, I took pictures in the staff and customers around me, plus the ability to frame my pictures accurately without raising your camera to my attention was a terrific boon. I liked it really as much for macro flower shots, and also just for general pictures, where I find it very natural to hold you below eye level. The world doesn't have any crying need for just a lot of selfies from me, so the newest feature that enables the E-PL5s LCD to tilt right around for self-portrait framing didnt change playing, but it really works and Im sure plenty of folks will like it.
VF-3: One with the three optional electronic viewfinders available to the E-PL5.
Dont tell anyone, but theres lots of sunshine in California, plus it was in force on many of my shooting days. I shot many backlit and sidelit scenes, especially in this little Dish hike, and I found the Olympus PEN E-PL5s LCD to get mediocre for framing and viewing in bright light. Looking into the sun's rays, I sometimes had trouble seeing what was inside frame. Although the sharpness in the PEN E-PL5s LCD isnt top tier, I had no problem by using it, however I dont make an effort to do lots of critical image evaluation in camera. As noted above, the screen carries a 16:9 aspect ratio, as the cameras native aspect ratio is 4:3 3:3, 16:9, 1:1 and 3:4 modes may also be available, and Olympus uses the wider-than-necessary screen to come up with shooting information outside the picture area; I wasnt bothered with this compromise.
Like its little brother, the E-PM2, the Olympus E-PL5s LCD features touchscreen controls - - which can be a blessing if you love touchscreens, and rather inconsequential in the event you dont because the E-PL5 carries a Mode dial as well as a more sophisticated list of physical controls. Because of my satisfaction and understanding of physical controls, I found myself rarely utilizing the E-PL5s touchscreen though I was forced to utilize it extensively for the E-PM2, and in the end I found I form of liked it. You can makes use of the touchscreen to concentrate and snap shots in the still and video modes, a feature that may come in handy once you quickly desire to change an emphasis point and capture a fleeting moment as soon as your eyes are trained within the LCD.
Kit lens. For the general type of shooting I did while testing the Olympus E-PL5, the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R kit lens covered a nice array of focal lengths 28-84mm in 35mm equivalent terms. Its very light and feels somewhat insubstantial, although zoom action is smooth and also the overall assembly quality is okay. When I focused it manually, which I did mainly for practice the cameras AF is quite reliable, as I said I found the main objective ring under-damped, but this can be common with inexpensive AF lenses. The lens, to put it briefly, is functional plus an above average performer optically, but similar to most kit lenses is certainly not to write home about. Fortunately, Olympus is recognized for building lenses of exceptional quality with this mount, sold separately certainly.
Image quality. Overall, I was very impressed together with the quality of my images in the Olympus E-PL5. Sharpness and detail are perfect - - as well as or superior to anything Ive seen using 16-megapixel cameras. Its images even build up nicely up against the lauded Olympus OM-D E-M5, amazingly. I shot together with the E-PL5 on several sunny days rich in contrast levels, as well as the dynamic range in the camera was significantly up for the task, capturing usable detail in the very wide tonal range.
Ive always belief that Olympus incorporates a fairly good eye for color, plus the Olympus E-PL5s JPEG files live approximately that tradition, which has a nicely saturated but balanced color palette. Some flower pictures and sunlit landscapes, especially, exhibited this quality. Finally, I thought the PEN E-PL5 did an incredible job at high ISO settings, retaining good detail with suprisingly low noise for the Micro Four-Thirds format camera.
You can look at the IR Labs in-depth Olympus E-PL5 image quality test results on this link,
and read further on inside review for side-by-side comparisons contrary to the E-PL5s top competitors.
Low-light shooting: The E-PL5 did a terrific job shooting outdoors through the night at high ISO settings, capturing plenty of detail with really low noise for the compact system camera.
Summary. Overall, I was very pleased while using Olympus E-PL5, particularly the remarkable image quality and speed it delivers at this kind of affordable price. Considering who's performs as well as or greater than many higher-end compact system cameras and DSLRs, the E-PL5 is an exceptional value along with an equally worthwhile choice for budding photographers stepping as much as their first interchangeable lens camera because it is for experienced DSLR users looking for just a smaller, more portable system.
To illustrate even more of what the Olympus E-PL5 is offering we shot additional images employing a variety on the cameras built-in modes and artistic filters, also to demonstrate the way performed with a number of of Olympus more touted lenses.
The above image was shot while using Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Digital ED 120mm equivalent, a specialty macro lens that tested exceptionally well within our lens testing lab at and scored a readers overall rating of 1010. Paired with all the E-PL5 it creates a high quality yet amazingly lightweight macro solution.
This image was shot utilizing the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 Digital ED 35mm equivalent variety of 150-600mm at 187mm, f/6.7. Both the subject sharpness as well as the nice bokeh are evident here, once more showcasing the power with the E-PL5 when paired that has a terrific lens.
The Olympus E-PL5 ships with a fantastic kit lens which is often a steal for just 50 more compared to body, but Olympus has released several exceptional lenses to guide its Micro Four Thirds cameras that you need to consider especially having seen what some of them is capable of doing above. For more information on E-PL5 lens options, visit our Olympus lens page at
The E-PL5 ships having a nice selection of creative Art modes, many of which can be on display above. I was pleased to discover that the Dramatic Tone effect that Ive become accustomed to within the E-P3 will come in similar fashion around the E-PL5. It is such an effective effect that I try to bracket along with it whenever possible.
Movies. While the E-PL5 is made primarily with still photography at heart, it may certainly stand in to be a quick video solution as you desire. It shoots in Full HD resolution 1920 x 1080 at 30p and might be set to continuous autofocus if desired. There is often a Movie mode for the Mode dial, but video could also be triggered while using dedicated Movie Record button when it is in any from the modes in the pinch as required. The videos below were shot with continuous autofocus set to On.
MOV, Progressive, 30 frames per second
MOV, Progressive, 30 frames per second
in addition to insight on how you handles a various recording situations,
ranging from night-time shooting to rolling shutter tests.
Below are crops comparing the Olympus E-PL5 with all the Olympus E-PL3, Olympus E-PM2, Olympus OM-D E-M5, Panasonic G5, plus the Sony NEX-F3. Were starting while using base ISO to exhibit the best each camera is capable of doing, then moving onto ISO 1600, 3200, and after that more details with ISO 6400 below.
NOTE: These images should be quality JPEGs straight out from the camera, at default settings including noise reduction.
The E-PL5 has almost 4 more megapixels than its predecessor, the E-PL3, as well as the higher resolution certainly helps within the image quality department, delivering better detail.
These employ exactly the same sensor therefore we would assume an identical result, as would be the case. This is going to be welcome news to anyone seeking the lighter E-PM2 much lighter and price in knowing that they're not sacrificing much from the image quality department.
While the sensor sizes and resolutions are precisely the same, the E-M5 is slightly superior in numerous key areas, specially the detail inside mosaic pattern as well as the slight surge in clarity inside red leaf swatch. But the E-PL5 is to not far behind and costs a smaller amount than its heavily touted your government.
Its always interesting low-priced these images when one camera gets an area better, then vice versa for that other camera. The E-PL5 has better color overall and greater clarity inside mosaic pattern, even so the G5 is significantly superior in accurately rendering the difficult red leaf swatch.
The NEX-F3 posseses an APS-C sensor, and does a better job inside fabric swatches, though the E-PL5 shines inside color and detail with the mosaic.
Most digital SLRs and CSCs will produce a superb ISO 100 shot, and then we like to push them to see what they could do in comparison with other cameras at ISO 1600, 3200, and 6400. Recent advances in sensor technology made ISO 1600 look a lot similar to ISO 100, but you will still find cameras whose quality actually starts to fall apart when it reaches this setting. We also choose ISO 1600 because we like so that you can shoot at least with this level when indoors and also at night.
Again, the larger resolution in the E-PL5 is on display above, even though E-PL3 does an admirable job about the Mas Portel top bottle.
As we got at base ISO, those two are almost too all-around call. Both perform reasonable project for ISO 1600, particularly the nice renditioning of colors.
The more expensive E-M5 does a somewhat better job in many all areas compared to the E-PL5, specially the red leaf swatch, however the E-PL5 is clearly a little way behind.
Accurate colors and element are far better inside E-PL5, even though the G5 actually starts to lose steam with this ISO, quickly degrading in the color saturation and contrast.
Other compared to the red leaf swatch, the E-PL5 holds its very own rather well here. Also note how aggressive noise reduction and sharpening around the NEX-F3 appears to produce odd artifacts from the lower pink fabric swatch.
Todays ISO 3, 200 is yesterdays ISO 1, 600, so below are the identical crops at ISO 3, 200.
Yet again the greater resolution E-PL5 is within a different league than its predecessor for high ISO image quality, doing a great job for ISO 3200.
Just as before, theres which has no difference between the two of these first cousins.
While the E-M5 performed slightly better on the lower ISOs, the playing field appears to have leveled off here, with not much difference between your two. Anyone thinking of buying an E-PL5 is going to be glad to notice this.
The E-PL5 holds itself together at ISO 3200, even so the G5 sets out to fall apart, with odd noise inside Mas Portel bottle and loss in most all detail inside mosaic pattern.
The NEX-F3 again wins the contest inside red leaf swatch, but otherwise the E-PL5 holds its very own against the Sony and its particular larger sensor.
Detail comparison. When it comes to high-contrast detail, the Olympus E-PL5 does surprisingly well as ISO rises, easily besting its predecessor the E-PL3, and as well looking good against its APS-C rival the NEX-F3. With the slight exception with the higher-priced E-M5, the E-PL5 would be the sharpest in the bunch, especially at ISO 6400.
Prints a pleasant 24 x 36 at ISO 200; ISO 1600 capable of any good 13 x 19 inch print; with an excellent 4 x 6 at ISO 12, 800.
ISO 200 prints look great at 24 x 36 inches, and yields a good wall display print as much as 36 x 48.
ISO 400 prints are nice and crisp at 20 x 30, with minor softening inside the red swatch in our test target that's typical for most cameras; capable of your nice wall display print as much as 30 x 40.
ISO 800 yields a great 16 x 20 inch print together with the exception of the loss on the flip side in our red swatch, but is otherwise sharp with vibrant colors.
ISO 1600 prints stand out at 13 x 19 inches, with minor noise inside the shadows and minor above mentioned softness; appropriate for less critical applications at 16 x 20 inches.
ISO 3200 yields prints that individuals consider great at 11 x 14, but a lot of folks will find 13 x 19 perfectly acceptable.
ISO 6400 prints an excellent 8 x 10 just for this ISO, with only minor grain within the shadows of our own target.
ISO 12, 800 yields a considerable 4 x 6 inch print, with nice color for this sort of high ISO.
ISO 25, 600 prints can be a bit too grainy to get called great at 4 x 6.
The Olympus E-PL5 is efficient at producing nice large prints at low ISOs, outstanding for the price. It demonstrates excellent high ISO performance nearly ISO 1600, and makes surprisingly nice-looking 8 x 10s at ISO 6400. Please note that any of us shoot these test shots with this sharp reference lenses in order to indicate what you body is able to, and results together with the kit lenses are different somewhat.
At its heart, the Olympus E-PL5 shares much while using incredibly popular OM-D E-M5: it shares the same pairing of image sensor and processor, but places them in the much smaller body. Its still all-metal, though, and comes using a removable hand grip to help you to choose when you prefer less bulk or even a better feel in-hand.
The Olympus PL5s image sensor is really a 4:3-aspect, 16.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor furnished by Sony. Its competent at providing images with a maximum resolution of four, 608 x 3, 456 pixels. Sensitivity from your chip ranges as much as ISO 25, 600 equivalent.
Output from your imager is handled by way of a TruePic VI image processor, a designation first affecting 2011s E-P3 mirrorless camera.
Although its precisely the same processor used inside E-M5, the Olympus PL5s burst performance isnt quite as swift as that camera. With focus locked, the E-PL5 can deliver the full eight frames per second, swift by mirrorless standards but nevertheless one less compared to E-M5 provides.
Enable tracking autofocus though, and this also falls to some more sedate 3.5 frames per second. Thats about 0.7 fps slower compared to E-M5 managed.
Like all PEN-series models, the Olympus E-PL5 sports a Micro Four Thirds lens mount that could accept a wide range of over 30 dedicated lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and Voigtl nder. Admittedly, several of those are quite similar to one another in specification; theres still a bit over 20 models that happen to be reasonably distinct, however. Courtesy of various first- and third-party adapters, the Micro Four Thirds mount may accept a huge selection of older glass including lenses generated for Olympus and Panasonics full-sized Four Thirds cameras, albeit often with limitations regarding autofocus, exposure, etc.
There were several new lenses announced alongside the Olympus PL5. These include the unusual BCL-15 Body Cap Lens a 9mm-thick, three element f/8, manual focus pancake which costs US50, the DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 US500, as well as a limited-edition black version with the DIGITAL ED 12mm f2.0 US1, 100. The latter two lenses started shipping in October 2012. The new DIGITAL 17mm f1.8 US500 prime also started shipping December 2012, along with the revised 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II ED US550 telephoto zoom started shipping March 2013.
Although the Olympus PEN PL5 does include in-body image stabilization, its not a similar system used inside the E-M5. Hence, it corrects simply for pitch and yaw like the majority of other stabilization systems. It lacks the E-M5s chance to correct for roll, or even for up/down and left/right translational motions.
Another thing that does allow it to become across intact in the popular E-M5 would be the PEN E-PL5s contrast detection autofocus system. Branded as Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology, or FAST AF abbreviated, its a process thats claimed to give the worlds fastest autofocusing when coupled using the Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens. That comes thanks with a stunning readout speed of 240 frames per second however with reduced accuracy for continuous autofocus, as well as a more typical 120 fps readout rate with maximum accuracy for single autofocus.
Like that inside the M5, the Olympus PL5s contrast detection AF system is still equipped with 35 fixed autofocus point locations, with all the points arranged inside a 7 x 5 array that covers most in the image frame. You can switch into a small single-point focus point that you are able to position in places you need it by just tapping around the cameras touchscreen, however. And to assist with concentrating on nearby subjects in low light, the PL5 retains its predecessors autofocus assist lamp.
As youd expect, Olympus dust removal system is protected in the E-PL5. This vibrates the coverage glass within the sensor that has a dedicated piezoelectric element to shake dust free, then captures it by using an adhesive strip underneath the sensor.
Theres no built-in viewfinder, however the Olympus E-PL5 retains the companys proprietary Accessory Port 2 just underneath its flash hot shoe, which allows the digital camera to accept a volume of accessories. These include precisely the same two electronic viewfinders combined with past Olympus cameras VF-2 and VF-3, the newest VF-4 with firmware upgrade, along while using SEMA-1 external microphone adapter, MAL-1 Macro Arm Light, and PENPAL Bluetooth Communication Unit accessories.
The PL3s 3.0-inch, 460K-dot, 16:9 aspect LCD panel is retained within the PEN PL5, but a number of important changes.
First, the articulation mechanism featuring an expanded swivel selection of approximately 170 up resulting in 65 down. That means you may now frame self-portraits while using the LCD, provided that nothing is mounted inside hot shoe.
Also, the panel itself now includes a gapless design which places a capacitive touch sensitive layer in between your LCD itself and also the protective cover glass. The removal in the air gap should translate to reduced glare and contrast. Theres also now an anti-smudge coating that will reduce the chance of fingerprints within the display. You can now choose Vivid or Natural display modes, at the same time.
Weve mentioned the touchscreen, through the way, as well as its worth noting that this can be a new addition since E-PL3. The Olympus PL5s touchscreen display screen not only means that you can set focus making adjustments; you may even trip the shutter having a tap for the LCD panel. And since its a capacitive design like higher-end smartphones, it needs to be sensitive enough to do this with little or no camera shake.
Theres no built-in flash, however the Olympus PL5 does come together with the same FL-LM1 accessory flash that has been included together with the PL3.
This flash features a guide volume of 10 meters at ISO 200 equivalent. The E-PL5s hot shoe may accept a selection of other, better strobes. Flash sync is possible nearly 1/250 second depending for the flash, plus the E-PL5 also allows Super FP flash between 1/125 and 1/4, 000 second, if based on the attached flash.
The E-PL5 also supports four-channel wireless flash using the bundled strobe in the role of a master, and off-camera flash strobes configured in as much as 3 groups.
Olympus has created a quantity of changes towards the creative options from the PEN PL5. These include a different high dynamic range bracketing mode, plus an additional six Art Filters.
Unfortunately, the newest HDR bracketing mode doesn't automatically combine multiple shots like some cameras, but remains to be useful for post processing a picture with greater dynamic range than is possible in the single exposure. Exposure steps are greater than whats provided by standard exposure bracketing. Options are: 3 or 5 frames into two or 3 EV steps, or 7 frames by two EV steps. The additional Art Filters are Pale Light Color, Light Tone, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Key Line and Watercolor, which might be added to your six filter types seen in the PL3 Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, and Dramatic Tone.
You can easily still record hi-d 1, 920 x 1, 080 pixel movies together with the Olympus PL5, but there are a couple of changes and additions within this area, too.
The E-PL3 shot Full HD 1080i at 60i and HD 720p at 60p as you move the E-PL5 shoots both at 30p. File format in addition has changed from MTS to more widely supported MOV MPEG-4AVC/H.264. Both cameras offer 720p and VGA resolutions in AVI Motion JPEG format, also at 30p.
Like its predecessor, image stabilization in movie mode is electronic only.
Thanks to your new touchscreen, you may now simply tap to select a different focus point during video capture, turning it into easy to guide your viewers attention into a different subject.
You may now switch between different art filters during recording, something weve not seen before from any manufacturer. So which the change isnt jarring, one filter effect will fade out along with the other will fade in. Its a neat proven fact that could be fun when you the type who enjoys these effects.
You could also now enable what Olympus calls Movie Teleconverter, which can be essentially an adjustable focal length crop. Since theres not any mechanical adjustment being made, that is silent. It also shouldnt significantly degrade image quality, since you aren't using interpolation. Beyond that inherent in every Bayer-filtered cameras, anyway.
Connectivity includes the Accessory Port 2, USB 2.0 data, Micro HDMI Type D, plus an analog audio/video output using the combined USB/AV port. The USB port also supports the RM-UC1 remote cable.
The Olympus E-PL5 doesnt include built-in WiFi connectivity, though the company has generated support for Toshibas FlashAir WiFi-capable flash cards in the PL5s firmware.
An Olympus application for Android and iOS os's allows sharing of photos through the camera via your smartphone, together with application of filters on the photos before sharing. You may also use the existing PenPal accessory to transfer images in your phone via Bluetooth.
Theres a Secure Digital card slot, plus it supports both the more expensive-capacity SDHC or SDXC card types, plus the more expensive-speed UHS-I types. Eye-Fi cards will also be supported, though not Endless Memory.
Secure Digital cards using a Speed Class of 6 or higher are suited to HD movie recording.
Power comes courtesy of your proprietary BLS-5 lithium-ion battery power, and also a BCS-5 charger is roofed in the product bundle. The BLS-5 lithium-ion battery power is CIPA-rated for 360 shots per charge, though we are unsure if that includes 50% flash shots with all the bundled FL-LM1 flash.
Olympus isn't going to appear to produce an AC adapter for your E-PL5.
Available since October 2012, the Olympus PEN E-PL5 was originally coming in at about US650 body-only. Three body colors can be purchased: black, silver, or white. A kit bundling the DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R contact lens listed for approximately US700 at launch. Since then, Olympus has reduced MSRP of the body and kits by about US100.
Several new accessories can be found alongside the PEN E-PL5 camera body. These include the CS-38B leather body jacket in four different colors, the MCG-3PR camera grip in three different patterns, plus the CBG-8 camera bag.
Olympus E-PL5 camera body in black, silver or white
Excellent image quality especially for that price!, with good color and dynamic range, thanks to your 16-megapixel sensor borrowed on the acclaimed Olympus OM-D E-M5
Extremely compact and lightweight design, with well-thought-out ergonomics and control layout
Overall speedy performance, including start-up, AF, shutter lag and shot-to-shot times, demonstrating marked improvements on the E-PL3
Immensely customizable controls, especially using Olympus Mysets to create nearly four different presets that you simply quickly can toggle among
Tiltable 3-inch LCD viewfinder, that pivots 170-degrees and flips completely forward for capturing selfies
LCD features touchscreen controls if you dont have make use of them if theyre not to your liking, including touch focus and shutter for both stills and videos
iAuto mode for simple, automatic scene-detecting shooting
12 in-camera Art Filters, including Diorama and Pop Art, and 7 Art filter effects for both stills and videos
Fast 8 frames-per-second Continuous shooting, when pre-focused
Good life of the battery, at CIPA-rated 360 shots per charge
Excellent print quality, with nice prints delivered nearly 24 x 36 at ISO 200
A great value at 600 MSRP with all the 14-42mm kit lens, though we found the kit starting as low as 490 already
Continuous shooting falls to some mediocre 3.5 frames per second when tracking AF is enabled
At 420K-dots, the LCD resolution leaves something to become desired, and also the display is tough to view under bright, sunlight
Though the 14-42mm is fairly good for any kit lens, we recommend looking for better Micro Four Thirds glass from Olympus and others
Weve been very pleased using the image quality and overall speedy performance from the Olympus PEN compact system camera line over earlier times couple of years, along with the E-PL5 stands out being a significant evolution on virtually every front.
First off, the Olympus E-PL5 inherits the exceptional 16-megapixel sensor in the groundbreaking OM-D E-M5, one of the all-time favorite cameras weve ever reviewed. Bolstered with this sensor and also the TruePic VI image processor also borrowed through the E-M5, the look quality we saw in the E-PL5 became nothing a lot less than stellar - - demonstrating accurate colors, a remarkable dynamic range and plenty of detail. When you consider the cameras price, such image quality is undoubtedly an outright amazing feat that rivals much higher-end CSCs and DSLRs.
The E-PL5 also improves upon rapid operation of their predecessor, the E-PL3, providing blazing speed regarding start up, mode switching, autofocus, single-shot cycle times and much more. The cameras Continuous mode averaged 8 frames per second - - to not shabby - - but falls to some more pedestrian 3.5 fps when tracking AF is enabled. Overall, we found the FAST Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology AF to become responsive and accurate in the majority of situations, though our reviewer said he wouldnt rely too heavily about it for capturing fast-motion action.
One serious problem we had together with the Olympus E-PL5 was its labyrinthine menu system, which the majority of us here at IR found we'd difficulties working out. Our reviewer spent hours solving its riddles, but once he mastered them, he surely could activate the cameras Super Control Panel and make a bunch of presets Olympus Mysets that manufactured for much easier and outright convenient operation. Happily, by digging over the E-PL5s maze of settings and shooting options, we fully uncovered its plethora of advanced functions as well as immense customizability, and that we were thankful for how sophisticated this tiny camera could be for the patient and motivated photographer.
For each one of these reasons and even more, the Olympus E-PL5 needs to be seriously considered by any enthusiast trying to ditch their DSLR and move over to some more affordable, compact system or a minimum of as a backup camera when portability is vital. It also should certainly be a top contender for beginning photographers seeking to step up using their company point-and-shoots, especially considering which the Olympus E-PL5 offers tremendous image quality, speed and adaptability at a real competitive price. You bet its a Daves Pick.
Dont need an actual mode dial and tilting LCD? Save 100 and have the Olympus E-PM2 instead!
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