Olympus E-PL2 in Stock at Amazon and BHphoto. New review at Photographyblog.
We really didn’t have to wait a lot to see the E-PL2 in Stock. Also americans can finally get ithe black E-PL2 kit at Amazon (Click here) and Bhphoto (Click here).
Meanwhile Photographyblog published their own Olympus E-PL2 review: “This new model also mostly solves one of our major criticisms of the E-PL1 – its painfully slow auto-focusing speed. The E-PL2 and new 14-42mm kit lens are thankfully a lot faster to lock onto the subject in good light or bad, so much so that we only missed the decisive moment due to our own fault, rather than the cameras“. The camera gets Highly Recommended!
In Europe the E-PL2 is in Stock: Germany -> Amazon.de, eBay.de
France -> Amazon.fr (available next week), Pixmania.fr (available next week), eBay.fr
UK -> Amazon.uk (available next week), eBay.uk
Italy -> Pixmania.it, eBay.it
Austria -> Amazon.de, eBay.at
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Recent comments
Comment from Unhappy: The sample photos are horrible: fine det...
Comment from Tservo: Amazon I believe is still on track to re...
Comment from Ganec: I have E-P1 and when I start to use some...Comment from Thomas Gülden: Well, I feel that user interface is ofte...
mahler
2 years ago |The review shows that Olympus did not do its homework regarding user interface ergonomics. The EPL-1′s button driven operation was already nominated as the camera’s main week point, and now the review indicates that the new interface is even worse.
When the first images of the EPL-2′s back side came out, I was already concerned, that the new wheel around the four way selector is too flimsy and too easy to unintentionally operate. The review seems to prove that concern. So the EPL-2 went even further to reduce the controls to only one: 4-way intermixed with wheel. The EPL-1 at least separated the buttons from the 4-way dial. The engineers missed it again, unfortunately.
While some improvements such as the new lens, the new LCD and the better AF speed let me think about buying an EPL-2 as an add-on to my GH2 for ad-hoc photography, I guess the review identified the deal breaker. I don’t want a camera with a flimsy control interface, can’t they get it? Did the user community not asked for a second dial?
I’ll go to a dealer to check the EPL-2 out, especially the wheel operation, but I doubt that it will make it. It looks like that the GF2, although touch screen driven, will be the better choice. The clear separation of control wheel and 4-way controller looks better. Ultimately, the tool, which controls exposure is after the shutter, the second most used control. Therefore, it should not get in the way.
sneye
2 years ago |Having used the E-P2 for quite a while, the little ring around the 4-way arrow pad is not too bad (unless you wear gloves). I got used to it after a week or so. Generally speaking, the importance of user interfaces is way overrated in most reviews. The reviewers spend only a short while with each camera – not enough to grow accustomed to its operation.
mahler
2 years ago |Well, I feel that user interface is often underrated and that companies aren’t listen to the feedback. As examples I would give the following:
* how many years took it that the vendors decided to put the ISO number in the view finder
* how many companies did not care to listen to demands to make the mirror up function in DSLRs better to reach (ideally as a dedicated button)
* how long do we have to demand that DSLRs may integrate a tiltable screen
* how often was view finder size and quality sacrificed at the expense of body size
Sure one can get used to every user interface and finally people get even used for abundant operation errors – that is not my point. The thing is that manufacturers don’t listen, marketing guys dominate the design. It is silly that the second control or better interface is a discerning factor between the PENs.
Panasonic isn’t free from interface quibbles as well (position of video button, too easy turnable mode dial, etc.), but the interface overhaul of the GH2 shows that they listen and constantly improve the bodies without changing the world. I really miss that dedication here.
Without having seen and used the EPL-2 I can see that the wheel is prone to operating errors, and I wasn’t already fond of it when playing with the EP-2. Even Canon made the same design decision at the 60D, and reviewers did not like it, even though the control is far bigger there.
Ganec
2 years ago |I have E-P1 and when I start to use some other camera I always feel a little confused at first. Wheel control is realy usable and fun to use.
Read what Kirk wrote in his opinion (previously mentioned review http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2011/01/olympus-epl2-final-installment-kirks.html) when he compare it with 5DmkII:
Use the new control wheel on the back as a series of buttons (up, down, left, right) and you can quickly navigate thru the menu with ease. I can set the frame rate, the color setting and the files size without ever taking my eye from the EVF. Can I do that with my Canon 5Dmk2? Not a chance. Does it make shooting easier? Without a doubt.
Nate
2 years ago |Just as a heads up, the E-PL2 is not technically in stock at Amazon (US) quite yet. A few third party sellers have it available on Amazon, but Amazon itself is still in Pre-Order status. I don’t know if this makes any difference for people, as the third-party prices are the same. However, they will have their own shipping speed and return policies.
Tservo
2 years ago |Amazon I believe is still on track to release the E-PL2 on Friday, I do wonder if my preorder will arrive by Saturday or if I’ll have to wait till next week.
Unhappy
2 years ago |The sample photos are horrible: fine details are fuzzed out.
Is this overaggressive noise reduction on the standard setting, or does the lens suck? Is low noise reduction setting better? The review doesn’t address this.