Olympus E-P2: the Next Chapter in the Digital PEN Legacy

Olympus has just announced their next Micro 4/3 model, the E-P2 Digital PEN. Basically an upgraded E-P1, this new model shares most of the same features (like the 12-megapixel Live MOS imager, 3.0-inch LCD, etc.), however Olympus has added manual exposure control in movie mode, a new VF-2 detachable electronic viewfinder (also tilts 90 degrees), new Art filters, and much more.

The E-P2 is not being labeled as the E-P1's replacement, rather an upgraded unit with added features. Available sometime in December, the E-P2 will have a suggested retail price of $1099 for either of the following camera/lens combos:

• E-P2 with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital zoom lens
• E-P2 with 17mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital zoom lens

We were lucky enough to get our hands on a pre-production unit for the past week or so. Head on over to our E-P2 First Look to get more information about this new PEN model, as well as see our initial thoughts in Steve's Conclusion.

Click Here to see the official press release.

Olympus has also announced that they will be introducing two new M. ZUIKO Micro 4/3 zoom lenses sometime during the first half of 2010:

• The M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 lens (18-36mm equivalent);
• and the M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens (28-300mm equivalent)

Click Here to see the official M. ZUIKO lens announcement.