Olympus 12.3MP E-P2 Micro Four Thirds Review by NeutralDay With Rating 8/10

Other technical specifications of the E-P2 includes a 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor with dust reduction and image stabilisation, up to ISO 6400, 3.0-inch HyperCrystal LCD, 20 shooting modes, face detection and the camera takes SD or SDHC memory cards. The Olympus E-P2 will be available in December 2009. It includes E-P2 Body, VF-2 Electronic View Finder, ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens or 17mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLS-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCS-1), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card. E-P2 Body with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens and Electronic View Finder estimated street price is $1,099.99. E-P2 Body with 17mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens and Electronic View Finder estimated street price is $1099.99. Here is a recent review by NeutralDay, giving the camera a rating of 8 out of 10:

"The first half of this year has seen us spending a lot of time with small cameras housing large sensors. Between the E-P2, the Panasonic GF1, the Samsung NX10, the E-PL1, and various Sigma variants, nearly all of our review time has been spent with these appealing photographic solutions. All of them present super positive aspects, and all bring along a few flaws as well, it seems that none are the perfect solution to every problem, but all offer DSLR-like or near DSLR-like image quality in a small package. So it is with the Olympus E-P2, a stylish number capable of some pretty impressive image quality. On the aesthetic level, we're not wild about this particular black finish, but everybody I've shown the camera seems instantly attracted to it. The lenses are a different issue, certainly aesthetically they aren't all that appealing to our taste, nor do they match the camera, which makes for an odd system. They also aren't as sharp or as nice to use as the Panasonic G series offerings, though to clarify, most users will be totally fine with their performance, they're at least as good as most kit lenses.

The other issue is with the E-P2's AF performance, which has been nicely improved via the recent firmware update. As we said, if you never used a GF1, you'll be quite pleased with the E-P2's AF performance - it's honestly more than snappy enough to get the job done. Going past that, the E-P2 handles wonderfully, and is a real pleasure to use, and of course we love that when paired with a pancake lens, the E-P2 tucks right into a vest or jacket pocket. Picture quality was plenty satisfying enough. Images are detailed and relatively punchy, great for photographers who don't like to play with their photos in post. Video quality too, is pretty good, though both can appear a bit grainy as the ISO creeps up. As with the other cameras in this field, users will have to keep an eye on highlight and shadow detail, it can be easily lost, but at least the E-P2 keeps photographers abreast of the situation with shadow/highlight warnings and live or playback histogram options.

In the end, the E-P2 does come 'Highly Recommended', though that does come with the following caveat, our personal preference was the Panasonic GF1, we preferred it on an aesthetic level, liked it's flatter image output, superior LCD, and of course it's AF speed is second to none (editor: Our review of the GF1 can be had here, our final verdict on it was "Essential", our highest overall rating). Also our fondness for the Sigma DP2/DP2s continues, it's painfully slower than either camera, but for pure image quality, we can't ween ourselves off its output. Still, the E-P2 is a great camera, Olympus fans, and for those who prefer it's exterior styling and JPEG output over the GF1, or those who can't live without a really nice viewfinder, can rest assured they're buying into a very competent camera system that leaves little excuse to leave at home."

Fantastic Walk-Around Camera, Jeef - Aug 22 2010
I was definitely on the fence about this camera for a while. I currently own a Nikon D60 and a Canon point-and-shoot, and thought I was just buying this camera just because of the need for a new camera body. I was reading forums for such a long time, putting up with probably the snarkiest debates between what brand is better, prime and zoom, etc. and I just went ahead and decided on t...

Love this Micro 4/3 camera!, nuke - Aug 14 2010
A devout Canon person, it took courage to order an Oly product. After some getting used to the menus and controls, can't put this E-P2 down! Have owned many Canon point & shoot models over the years to supplement a bulky DSLR, but this tops them all. The optional electronic viewfinder is superb, and find myself using the back-of-the-camera viewfinder very little. Especially con...

mixed feelings, Nikola - Jul 30 2010
I have been using E-P2 (with M.Zuiko 14-42mm and Lumix G 45-200mm lenses) for more than a month now, and still have some mixed feelings about it. I like the relatively small size given the quality and the number of features packed in. The selection of both prime and zoom lenses is now decent, and sensor-based image stabilization of this model means that you don't need to worry whether...

mixed feelings, Nikola - Jul 30 2010
I have been using E-P2 (with M.Zuiko 14-42mm and Lumix G 45-200mm lenses) for more than two months now, and still have some mixed feelings about it. I updated the firmware immediately after the purchase: body version 1.1, 14-42m lens version 1.1, and 45-200mm lens version 1.2. Bear in mind that values for focal lengths stated above are about 1/2 of their 35-mm equivalents. I like th...