Photo Review of Olympus's Upcoming Compact DSLR Camera "PEN E-P2"

Introduced in 1959, Olympus Pen series is embracing its 50th anniversary and PEN E-P1 digital camera with Micro Four Thirds system camera came out earlier this year as the next generation Pen camera.

Now, a new and improved model PEN E-P2 with electronic view finder and various new functions is to be released on December 4, 2009. We've got a chance to put our hands on it before it hit the stores, so here's our photo review.

Pics after the cut!
Boxes of the PEN E-P2 camera, "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED14-42mm F3.5-5.6" and "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F2.8" lenses for PEN E-P2.

Contents.

PEN E-P2 inherits the iconic design of PEN series.

Compared with a compact digital camera, you can see how compact PEN E-P2 is for an SLR.

Back.

Right side.

Left side.

Flip open for HDMI connector and multi connector sockets..

All these buttons can be handled by your thumb.

Battery and SD memory card slot on the bottom.

Mode dial and hot shoe(where you attach a flash unit).

From left to right: SSWF(supersonic wave filter) lamp to indicate when the dust reduction system for image sensor is at work, the power switch, shutter, exposure adjustment button.

Battery pack, charger and AC cable.

USB cable.

AV cable to connect to a TV.

Optional electronic view finder "VF-2".

Connector of VF-2 to attach it to the camera.

Open the hot shoe cover.

And mount VF-2.

Optional 1.44 Mpix LCD view finder "VF-2".

"M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED14-42mm F3.5-5.6" and "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F2.8" lenses for PEN E-P2. Sold separately from the camera but there'll also be package deals.

PEN E-P2 with "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F2.8" lens.

With "M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED14-42mm F3.5-5.6".

Impressive.

Slide the "UNLOCK" switch to pull in the lens.

3.0 inch hyper-crystal LCD with 100% view range.

Looking up at the display. Crystal clear, you can stretch your hand, hold up the camera and still see the subject.

From sideway.

It's surprisingly compact and lightweighted for a single-lens-reflex. And the electronic view finder gives you the feeling closer to good old film cameras, to hold the camera close to your eye will reduce handshake, and it's easier to see in bright weather. It will surely please camera buffs.

We'll soon be posting pics and videos shot by this PEN E-P2!

(Japanese)E-P2 Digital SLR Camera - Olympus Imaging