(FT5) The E-PL1 vs E-PL2 spec differences (1/4000s shutter and eye detection)
A new source sent us the list of new features the E-PL2 has compared to the older E-PL1. Other sources confirmed me that the info is correct. So here is the list:
- on/off switch and grip is different
- Live Guide II for still images and for Movie capture with Rotating Dial
- New “Dramatic Tone” Art Filter and six background Music (Melancholy, Nostalgic, Love, Joy, Cool, Beat)
- 3.0 LCD with 460k Dots
- ISO 6400
- Shutter: 1/4000s
- SDXC Memory Car
- It has Cable Release
- Face Detection with Eye Detect
- 22 Scene-Select Modes
- Accessory Port 2
- BLS-5 Lithium Ion Battery
- And the kit lens is the new 14-42mm Lens II MSC
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Recent comments
Comment from Ricard Aronsson: Hmm, this is just the Panasonic GF1 - Ol...
Comment from Cteve: When was the last time Olympus made a go...
Comment from andy: Put an AF Assist light on it!!!! Its wot...
Comment from Steve: Still no full HD video ? Guess I'll get ...
Woodent
2 years ago |subject to some IQ improvement and high-ISO performance improvement (to the level of E-5?) – a worthy upgrade to E-PL1
tmrgrs
2 years ago |Really? I don’t see anything in this list that indicates that the E-PL2 has the TruPic V+ image processing software along with the lighter low pass filter of the E5.
In fact, it doesn’t look at all like a worthwhile upgrade for those who already own a E-PL1.
fta
2 years ago |let me correct Woodent for you
- a worthy “replacement” to E-PL1
As long as they don’t keep both on the market at the same time.
I will patiently wait for the E-P3… I got a feeling it will be good
WT21
2 years ago |Seems the EPx is dead, since the only difference I saw between the EPx and EPL1 was the shutter speed.
Too bad — I loved the body styling of the EP1. But, if this one is much cheaper, maybe it’ll look nicer in person (or maybe the “pro” body will really be something!)
Zorg
2 years ago |The E-Px will one year and half old when this camera will be officially announced or available; it’s logical that the lower range gains with time the features of the upper range. That doesn’t mean by itself that the E-Px line is dead — just that the upgrades are not synchronized.
Another possibility is that E-PL2 reacts to Panasonic: from GF1 to GF2, Panasonic went down in target, so Oly might see it as an opportunity to gain the former GF1 amateur customers by going up from E-PL1 to E-PL2.
Anyway, I hope the body size is the same or smaller than the E-PL1, and image quality is similar to E-5 (image processing/low-pass filter). Maybe even a progress in dynamic range? But to be realistic, they probably keep these features for a new E-Px or the rumored pro mFT body.
Agent00soul
2 years ago |Yeah, the E-PL2 has all the features of the E-P2 and they also copied the styling. This has to mean that the E-Px successor is not far away and has new styling.
safaridon
2 years ago |Yes the view from the back does look very much like the EP2. If they merged the two models still possible they will produce a metal bodied version for the EP3 with upgraded features like the EP2 rear wheel and hopefully add AF light?
Tom Blue
2 years ago |Comparing this body to the E-P1/2, looks like they are using the molding for the E-P1/2, and just modified grip + added the pop up flash. I think it’ll be closer to the E-Px series than E-PL in size and perhaps even be a metal body.
Andyoz
2 years ago |Tom
I agree – it looks a lot like the E-P1/2 from a front view, and even the top view shown previously with the macro LED light it appears to have the same sort of styling cues as the E-P1/2. I like the look – IMHO it looks much better than the E-PL1. It is almost what the original E-P1 should have been (with flash, higher res LCD etc).
I doubt it will be an outer metal casing – it looks like a moulding.
It will be very interesting to see what happens to the E-P range after this. Will the E-P3 have a built in EVF or will that model be called something else. Any ideas?
Admin – any ideas if the E-PL2 has at least one control wheel on the back?
That is the only area where I see an advantage with the E-P1/2 design having two separate dials on the back.
Agent00soul
2 years ago |No, it is narrower than the E-Px and clearly made of plastic. So eventhough they copied the styling, it will not have the same quality feel.
Andyoz
2 years ago |Good point about the quality feel. It will be interesting to see what the E-P3 ends up like. Do you think there will end up being two or three E-P models? I could see three ultimately.
1. E-PL2 – base model; optional EVF
2. E-P3 – with EVF; possibly rangefinder style and slightly bigger body than E-P2 with EVF moderate size. Hopefully high quality feel.
3. E-PH1? – with larger EVF styled like a GH1/DSLR. Or they could do a micro four thirds version of the E330 styling which I didnt mind the look of.
Just my speculation and hope. They might only do one version with an inbuilt EVF.
safaridon
2 years ago |One has to compare the new EPL2 with its competition. Unfortunately if it has a still larger body in competition to smaller perceived better body build of the all metal GF2 and NEX5 it will be a difficult task. For now the EPL2 still has smaller zoom but even the perceived advantage of better JPEGs will diminish with GF2s reported improved JPEGs and color.
Parci
2 years ago |finally, basically fixes all the little annoyances of the e-pl1! it also surpasses the e-p2, so everybody can calm down knowing that the e-p3 will be a real next generation with healthy improvements, olympus is still in the game etc etc.
Four by Six
2 years ago |I’m still waiting to hear about any video upgrades… if their upcoming xyz (whatever alphabet soup they want to call it) compact has 1080i, and the pl2 has a video lens, then hopefully the pl2 will have better video.
I am still concerned about size, though, as the pl2 might have gotten a little bigger, which would be the wrong direction.
Miroslav
2 years ago |+ on/off switch, much better than button
+ better grip
+ rotating dial – finally
+ “Dramatic Tone” Art Filter if adjustable could be a poor man’s HDR
+ 460k 3.0 LCD
+ max shutter speed 1/4000s
+ SDXC memory card
All very nice improvements, but still there are some things done wrong …
- Accessory Port 2 – it took them only a year to change the specs ???
- still no AF lamp assist
Any kind of 1080 video is a must have in 2011. The lowest end Panasonic has it, it would be disappointing if E-PL2 didn’t.
But most of all, the deal breaker for me is the size. None of the above improvements mean nothing to me if the camera is bigger. And I agree that this could mean merging of E-Px and E-PLx lines.
I suppose we’ll know all the specs by Thursday.
Miroslav
2 years ago |Another bad thing: just when we thought we won’t see them again, it seems that the stupid vertical hinges are back …
Jonathan
2 years ago |hi Miroslav,
what stupid vertical hinges did you refer to?
Miroslav
2 years ago |The metal rings, at the sides, used to connect the carrying strap are connected to the strap via two small metal pieces and made noise while moving camera, which was audible during video. Present in the first two PENs, they disappeared with E-PL1, but now they are here again …
Sorry for my bad English, find some E-P1/2/PL-1 pictures and you’ll see.
Jonathan
2 years ago |i see what you mean, don’t like them or use them myself (on my G1). the R strap is hooked to a tripod quick release permanently mounted to the bottom of the camera.
Peter
2 years ago |I think it is a good upgrade and I like this for E-System too in a cheaper way then E-5.
But it still has no build in viewfinder….
latam2012
2 years ago |now they just need to add a dial, a built in evf and possibly an articulating screen.
Four by Six
2 years ago |Unfortunately, the LED on top left of picture is a self-timer indicator, not a focus assist lamp. Hopefully, the accessory port 2 is fully backward compatible with all existing products, as I have the viewfinder and mic jack.
API75
2 years ago |Please Admin, do you know if E-PL2 IBIS is equal to the one of E-PL1, i.e., weaker than the one of E-P1/2?
admin
2 years ago |Should be equal.
Ulli
2 years ago |good thing they included 1/4000
fast prime users need it in bright sun light
dCap
2 years ago |good to see the return of the 1/4000 and cable release
steps the spec back up to (or over) the EP2
never satisfied with the current rumor and ready for the next … this EPL2 spec bodes well for the EP3: 1/8000, or change in form factor like a G2/GH2 for Oly’s top PEN (and probable name change: EP?1)
Thierry
2 years ago |Looking forward to the official announcement and specs… 2011 might be the year I finally join the MFT club!
Chris K.
2 years ago |And a 14-42mm pancake lens?
Knob, yay! 1/4000, yay! Cable release, yay! (I assume electronic like for the E-P2.) I’ll probably replace my E-PL1 with this baby, but we’ll see. Nothing must-have yet for me.
YeahYeah
2 years ago |Do you know whether it will have a click-wheel or anything more convenient that buttons to set aperture, etc.?
If such is the case, it could mean that the E-P3 will be WAY above the E-P2…
Jonathan
2 years ago |@ admin -
1st let me wish you a new year and thank you for this site which i visit frequently and enjoy a lot. please keep those rumors and news reports coming
would you be able to say what is Live Guide II? i assume this has to do with live you, or possibly focus assist? Google did not come up with any additional information.
Jonathan
2 years ago |live you = live view… funny slip of pen. thanks dude for your response.
admin
2 years ago |Honestly I don’t know it yet. I asked my sources about that. Hope to get some info soon. Happy new year Jonathan
The dude
2 years ago |The live guide came out on the EPL1 , it allows the user to adust
shutter speed
F number
Exposure compensation
White balance
Using sliders in a menu , when you move it up and down it moves the setting but the language is changed , for example shutter speed is renamed to express motions with bluerd motion at the top off the slider and stop motion at the bottom off the slider , if you select stop motion the camera will select the fastest shutter speed available for the light . It’s a very cool way off shooting shutter priority without taking an under or overexposed image , or if you are not familiar with such terms then it’s a very easy way to use the manual settings off a camera
tmrgrs
2 years ago |For Admin:
Could you ask your sources whether the E-PL2 has the TruPic V+ processor?
Dummy00001
2 years ago |The answer is rather obvious IMO. Oly plans to release the E-P3 and they need to give it some distinctive advantage over E-PL2. It is very very highly likely that TruPic V+ is reserved to the successor of E-P2.
admin
2 years ago |TruePic V
Chris
2 years ago |Why do we so so many pic of the (nice) front and no pic of the back side?
For most of us it is interesting to see what kind of button etc. the e-pl2 has…
Henrik
2 years ago |If Admin wont post pics of the back im sure youll see it at CES so not many days till then anyway
. But Im just as curious as you.
admin
2 years ago |Will try to do my best…
Henrik
2 years ago |I hope you didnt get me wrong
All i meant was that if you havent been sent and pictures of the back of the camera Im sure we will see it at CES. I know that you need the pictures sent to you for you to post them 
.
Eugene
2 years ago |Eye Detection…. hmm… I hope Olympus patented that technology. I want that in my E-620. Maybe a firmware update..
The rumored E-PL2 seems good. But I want more good surprises. It’s very tempting.
Boooo!
2 years ago |Background music???
CRB
2 years ago |Once again, OLY: are fuc..@#!*g kidding me?
Zaph
2 years ago |Sounds more like you are fuc..@#!*g kidding yourself.
napalm
2 years ago |some people here are just mental for expecting too much from an entry-level hehe
Ross
2 years ago |Or just leave “kidding” out.
Craig
2 years ago |Hopefully I can assume an even better EVF is on the way – maybe simultaneous release with the high-end body.
All in all, seems like a decent progression from the first version.
Gekopaca
2 years ago |Admin: I removed the offensive message from Gekopaca. Please try to not use to many badwrods guys ok?
Chris
2 years ago |@Gekopaca You’re single, I take it?
at
2 years ago |I think this camera is a must have for those who cares about picture quality in a compact form without the burden of being a traditional photography and doesn’t care too much about video with its upgraded specifications from E-PL1 and partially from its EP series… at least with a better quality LCD to focus manually without the EVF.
Gekopaca
2 years ago |Yeah I’m alone, with my mum.
Alphonse2501
2 years ago |I see E-PL2 has better performance, but I will just stick on my E-PL1 and go new kit len and LED light.
I think i can use Amazon link to buy textbook, this month is beginning new semester for my college.
panasonic
2 years ago |what is background music for? listening music while shooting?
napalm
2 years ago |my guess is for taking video… or just for slideshow
Ryan
2 years ago |Yes, the background music is for slidshow. it’s there in E-PL1. I don’t see why people angry about adding more background music.
Gekopaca
2 years ago |@ panasonic & napalm :
Background music, see my explanations above
panasonic
2 years ago |I see. thanks all for the explanation. weird, why the engineers and board members approve this idea at the first priority but not deliver the others ==”
Steve
2 years ago |Still no full HD video ? Guess I’ll get a Panasonic.
andy
2 years ago |Put an AF Assist light on it!!!! Its wothless to upgrade without it. Took my E-pl1 to a wedding with low light, half the pictures were out of focus because of no AF Assist light. Might be getting a GF2 instead.
Cteve
2 years ago |When was the last time Olympus made a good video mode…
Never. I mean, even their flagship camera has a worse video mode than my 3 years old point and shoot!!! hello!
So yes, I’ll go with a Panasonic too.
Ricard Aronsson
2 years ago |Hmm, this is just the Panasonic GF1 – Olympus style, dressed with some extra bells & whistles.
Perhaps the IQ will have some great improvements but RAW-mode in GF1 still is very very good.
If you shoot m43, raw, value high portability, and don’t care about (in-camera) art filters and background music(!!??), go for the GF1.
The GF1 with the pancake 20 is an unbelievable “bang for the buck” with IQ thats astounding.