{"id":5773,"date":"2012-09-18T00:14:34","date_gmt":"2012-09-17T14:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ayton.id.au\/wp02\/?p=5773"},"modified":"2012-09-18T00:46:39","modified_gmt":"2012-09-17T14:46:39","slug":"olympus-announce-2-new-compact-pen-micro-four-thirds-cameras-bringing-e-m5-image-quality-to-the-masses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ayton.id.au\/wp02\/?p=5773","title":{"rendered":"Olympus announce 2 new compact PEN Micro Four Thirds cameras bringing E-M5 image quality to the masses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olympus appear to have consolidated their 3 model PEN Micro Four Thirds camera range<\/a> into 2 models as expected.<\/p>\n

There is no upgrade to the E-P3, but instead the E-PL3 upgrade, the new Olympus E-PL5 (PEN Lite) gains some of the features of both the E-P3, the E-M5<\/a> and a few new tricks as well.<\/p>\n

The “point and shoot” model, the E-PM2 is a very handy upgrade of the E-PM1 or PEN Mini.<\/p>\n

So what is so exciting about these cameras?<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. They bring the fantastic image quality<\/strong> of the Olympus OM-D E-M5<\/a> to a smaller, lighter, cheaper camera which will suit the needs of a much wider audience. They both use the same 16mp sensor and image engine as the E-M5 and allow ISO 200-25,600, although best results will be ISO 1600 and lower.<\/li>\n
  2. They both sport touch screen interfaces<\/strong> which makes their use much easier for novices and enthusiasts alike, and allow you to select a focus point on screen – even changing it during movie mode<\/li>\n
  3. They have the the FAST AF of the E-M5<\/strong> which is one of the fastest autofoicus systems in any camera (as long as the subject is not moving fast)<\/li>\n
  4. The E-PL5 touch screen rotates upwards to allow self-portraits<\/strong> – as long as the screen is not blocked by a hotshoe accessory such as a flash – so not as good a solution as the articulating, swivel screen as on the Panasonic GH series, but better than none at all.<\/li>\n
  5. They both have sensor based image stabilisation<\/strong> as with their predecessors, but not the 5-axis version as on the E-M5, and it is not clear if this will work during movie mode as it does on the E-M5.<\/li>\n
  6. For the smallest kit<\/strong>, you can buy the new cheap, super slim 15mm f\/8 manual focus “Body Cap” lens – fantastic for carrying these cameras in a pocket.<\/li>\n
  7. They have remote TTL flash capability<\/strong> to allow remote flashes to be controlled by the master flash on the camera’s hotshoe such as the FL-LM1 which is supplied with the E-PL5<\/li>\n
  8. Flash sync is an industry leading 1\/250th sec<\/strong> with the latest flash units, and they support Super FP High Speed Sync flash<\/strong> to 1\/4000th sec.<\/li>\n
  9. They are able to use the best range of dedicated compact autofocus lenses available<\/strong> for any mirrorless system and are smaller and lighter than comparable lenses for dSLRs.<\/li>\n
  10. The E-PL5 can shoot at 8fps<\/strong> (without AF) or 3.5fps with AF<\/li>\n
  11. Unlike most dSLRs, the AF regions cover almost the entire image<\/strong> not just the central half or third, and as mentioned can be easily selected using the touch screen<\/li>\n
  12. They can accept hotshoe accessories such as electronic viewfinders<\/strong> – this means when the next quantum leap in EVF quality occurs it may be possible to use these as well<\/li>\n
  13. Auto HDR mode<\/strong> which automatically combines multiple shots at different expsoures – the 1st time in an Olympus camera<\/li>\n
  14. New Watercolor ART filter<\/strong> in addition to the ones on earlier models, plus the ART filter can be changed DURING movies and the change will be introduced gradually<\/li>\n
  15. Reasonably good 1080i HD video<\/strong> with stereo mics and a new Movie Teleconverter capability<\/li>\n
  16. The E-PL5 has support for Toshiba’s FlashAir WiFi-capable flash cards<\/strong> and an Android or iOS app will allow sharing of photos via smartphone<\/li>\n
  17. Timed long exposures of up to 60secs<\/strong> – very few cameras have this feature which is nice for photographing stars<\/li>\n
  18. The very effective Olympus sensor dust removal system<\/strong> and lovely Olympus jpeg image colours<\/strong><\/li>\n
  19. They look great<\/strong> and the optional front grip<\/strong> for the E-PL5 is a nice touch too.<\/li>\n
  20. New Lens IS priority option which allows you to automatically disable the sensor-based IS if a Panasonic lens with OIS is being used<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What is not so good about them?<\/h3>\n