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The E-P2 is Olympus' newly announced follow up to its first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, the E-P1, which also adheres to the Micro Four Thirds Standard (MFT). But while the E-P2 offers some nice enhancements over its line mate, it doesn't seem to address two of the major problems in its almost-identical body. That's too bad, because the E-P1 had serious shutter lag and focus issues. The E-P2 adds AF tracking in continuous autofocus and movie modes, which the company thinks should ameliorate many user complaints, but unfortunately the E-P1's performance woes occurred in single autofocus mode.

Olympus E-P2 photos

The E-P2 is extremely similar to the E-P1, though it will only come in an elegant shiny black as opposed to the silver and white versions of the E-P1. It'll be available with the same kit lenses, the 14-42mm and the 17mm pancake, with each kit costing about $1,100. The most notable addition to the body is an accessory port, which makes the body slightly higher. One of the first accessories Olympus will offer is an add-on tiltable electronic viewfinder that slides into the hot shoe, which the company will bundle with the camera. That's nice--it's an extra-cost option with the Panasonic GF1. The viewfinder seems pretty good and quite bright and contrasty. The other accessory is an adapter for an external microphone.

(Credit: Kindai International)

As we know, the Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera, the E-P1, is based on a retro design sported by the original Pen shooters. But now you can make it even more retro by getting these skins from Kindai International.

The Japanese company is selling body stickers that are carefully calibrated to the dimensions of the E-P1, right down to the space for the leather grip, the button to unlock the lens, and the Micro Four Thirds badge which sits at the bottom right corner.

There are three colors available and each is limited in quantity--green (500), black and gray (1,000 pieces each). If you want to pimp your E-P1, each skin is going for $20. Check out Kindai International's Web site for shipping details.

(Source: Crave Asia via Akihabara News)

Olympus released firmware updates on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, for the Olympus E-P1 camera and two lenses, the Zuiko ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 as well as the Zuiko 17mm f2.8 lens. The firmware update, version 1.1 for both the camera and lenses, improves the camera's continuous auto-focus (C-AF) operation. The lenses will benefit from the v1.1 firmware with enhanced auto-focus performance. The Olympus Master software updates each lens' firmware individually and will update the camera firmware.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, so you can get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the manufacturer's Web site. Before installing any firmware upgrade, always take the time to read through all of the documentation and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

Read our full review of the Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera.

Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 ASPH Mega O.I.S.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The Micro Four Thirds universe gained two quality, fast-aperture, prime focal-length lenses Tuesday that go along with the new Lumix GF1 camera and its retro rangefinder styling cues: the Lumix G 20mm f1.7 ASPH and the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 ASPH Mega O.I.S. As with the GF1 itself, they are a reminder of times when compact rangefinders with fast prime lenses ruled--and they're lenses photo purists will love.

Being in the Micro Four Thirds format, the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 ASPH Mega O.I.S. is compact, at 2.46 inches in length and only 7.9 ounces.

It has a 35mm equivalent of 90mm, effectively making it a fast f2.8 90mm macro lens with full, life-size reproduction ability and a 6-inch closest focusing distance. There is a two-position focus limiter switch on the barrel for controlling the range of focus. The lens features a stepping motor in the auto focus drive system for smooth, silent AF operation while recording video.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 photos

For the manufacturers who've plunged into the interchangeable-lens camera business--at this point, that's Olympus and Panasonic with their Micro Four Thirds standard--the potential market comprises two groups of consumers: those who want something better and faster than their current point-and-shoot, but don't want the bulk of a dSLR, and those who don't necessarily mind the bulk of a dSLR, but wouldn't mind something a bit smaller with the same flexibility.

Panasonic's first two models, the DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1, address the latter group pretty well, but don't really appeal to the compact-minded folks. Plus, the GH1 is fairly expensive, thanks to the pricey bundled lens designed for optimal video capture performance. On the flip side, Olympus nailed the compact market with the E-P1's design; however, without a built-in flash or viewfinder, a low-resolution LCD screen, and performance that doesn't necessarily best the typical point-and-shoot, it doesn't provide mass appeal for the snapshot upgraders. But with the DMC-GF1, it looks as if Panasonic might have produced the first model that hits all the right notes.

The GF1 essentially crams most of the capabilities of the GH1 into a smaller, more affordable camera--and price was one of my main complaints with the GH1. Here's how the MFT models compare:

(Credit: Olympus America)

(Credit: Olympus America)

Shipping in November, just in time for your holiday purchasing fun, Olympus' E-600 dSLR will offer a slightly stripped-down version of the E-620 for consumers whose price elasticity is stretched to the breaking point. At $599.99 with the 14-42mm kit lens (28-84mm equivalent), by dropping down $100 Olympus will be taking on the Nikon D3000 (and whatever new model Canon finally decides to ship--its entry-level model is overdue) in a very competitive price segment.

(Credit: xitek.com)

Over the past few weeks, Olympus' first Micro Four Thirds camera, the EP-1, has been the talk of the town, thanks in no small part to its retro and compact form factor. That gave it greater buzz over Panasonic, which launched the first two Micro Four Thirds digicams, the Lumix DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1. A Chinese forum has now let loose some images of what seem to be the upcoming Lumix GF1, and if the site is to be believed, Panasonic will soon have an answer to the EP-1.

From the pictures, it appears to be very similar in size to the EP-1 and will even have a built-in pop-up flash, something Olympus' offering lacks. Given the form factor, this looks like a souped-up LX3 and will certainly excite enthusiasts looking for a relatively compact camera to complement their main dSLR system. Digging deeper, Digital Photography Interface is even speculating that it will sport a fingerprint sensor. That seems a little far-fetched at the moment, but we won't know for sure until more information becomes available.

Editors' Note: Panasonic has asked us to note that the rumors from xitek.com are speculative and not official.

(Source: Crave Asia via Engadget)

The Olympus E-P1 with its small 17mm lens attached.

(Credit: Olympus)

The Olympus E-P1 camera, a hybrid designed to combine advantages of both compact cameras and SLRs, is a welcome arrival in a digital camera market struggling to find new directions.

The small and light camera that debuted Tuesday features interchangeable lenses and relatively large sensor that endow SLRs with flexibility and higher image quality, but it's also got a small body of a compact camera. It has the potential to appeal to SLR owners who want something smaller and to compact camera owners who want something better, if Olympus can convince people to surmount a significant obstacle, price.

Like most hybrids--gaming laptops, for example, or bicycles with aspects of both road bikes and mountain bikes--the E-P1 sacrifices specialization for versatility. But the digital camera market is saturated, and the E-P1 is a promising member of a newer camera breed.

There are a handful of competitors with similar aspirations. Canon's G10, the newest in its G series of high-end compact cameras, is one example. Nikon's GPS-enabled P6000 is another, though, like the G10, it doesn't have an interchangeable lens. And Panasonic's G1 and GH1, which employ the same Micro Four Thirds lens and sensor standard as the E-P1, are probably closest.

The biggest knock against these cameras is price. Their relatively large sensors--especially those in the Micro Four Thirds cameras--cost a lot to manufacture, and fast electronics and high complexity just make things worse. Few people are willing to spend more than $300 on a camera, much less the hybrid cameras.

Brace yourself for some sticker shock. ... Read more

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Looking only a bit like the original Micro Four Thirds concept design Olympus floated last September at Photokina, the company's retro interchangeable lens E-P1 debuts this year to ride the coattails of the 50th anniversary of the company's PEN film camera.

From the name, to the design, to the tagline etched on its top--"Olympus PEN since 1959"--it feels like a cross between an homage and a desperate reminder that Olympus was in the camera biz long before most digital photographers were born. That said, after a few days with a preproduction model, I think the design works, and if Olympus can pull off decent performance and photo quality (you can never tell from an early unit), it will probably carve itself a nice sized niche among style-, but not budget-conscious, enthusiasts.