The Olympus E-P2 is cloaked in classic black, this hybrid photo and HD movie camera boldly brings fun and simplicity back to SLR quality. It is part of the Micro Four Thirds (4/3) camera system that enables pro-quality still and video imaging abilities in a small, unassuming package. Along with a line of compact M.Zuiko digital lenses, the system is compatible with all existing 4/3-format fixed-prime and zoom lenses from 7mm through 800mm (114° to 1.5° AOV).

 

The camera is essentially a 4/3-format DSLR minus the prism and mirror housing (hence the smaller body size), images can be composed and edited using the E-P2's 3" HyperCrystal LCD, which features anti-reflective coatings on its surface to enable Live viewing of 100% of the image area under the brightest of lighting conditions. When shooting in manual focus, a 5x magnification of the center of the frame pops up as a focusing aid each time you adjust the focusing ring. (This magnification can be can be manually increased up to 10x.)

The E-P2 features a port for the included VF-2 electronic viewfinder or the optional EMA-1 external microphone. The VF-2 live-finder, is a detachable electronic viewfinder that easily slides onto the camera's accessory port and hot shoe, providing 1.15x magnification, a 100% field of view with amazing resolution, brightness and contrast. The viewfinder refreshes quickly to minimize image ghosting on fast-moving subjects. The VF-2 rotates up to 90° to enable photographers to look down into it, which is useful when shooting subjects from challenging angles. The built-in diopter adjustment and high magnification offer easy viewing with and without glasses.

Clad in ergonomically-designed stainless-steel body panels, the Olympus E-P2 takes many design queues from the Olympus Pen F, a popular half-frame SLR that made its initial debut in 1959. But unlike the original Pen F, the E-P2 has the ability to produce vividly-detailed still photographs and HD video with stereo sound, both of which can be enhanced post-capture using the E-P2's advanced in-camera retouching and audio dubbing tools.

The E-P2 includes a picture mode called iEnhance, which analyzes colors and brightness. The new mode mimics what the naked eye sees. For example, a beautiful sunset looks awesome in person and generally seems to fade when captured in an image. With iEnhance, the warm yellow and orange colors are heightened to be brilliant and closer to the actual scene. The result is exceptionally clear imaging with a dramatically lifelike color. iEnhance can be used in any shooting mode - from program to manual - and automatically engages when in iAuto. This along with the 8 art filters allows you to take perfect, creative images.

Other features found on the Olympus E-P2 include i-Auto mode, dust reduction technology, in-camera image stabilization, which enables low-light hand-held shooting with all 4/3-system lenses, advanced shooting modes, and creative post-capture editing tools.

This kit includes a compact 14-42mm M.Zuiko Digital zoom lens, which with an angle-of-view of 74-28.5°, is an equivalent to a 28-85mm lens on a full-frame DSLR.