Thread: Tell me about Olympus E-PL2, and if worth it over the E-PL1

Originally Posted by Luckypenguin

The Olympus convertor lenses will work the the E-PL2's kit lens (14-42 MkII), but not the E-PL1's (14-42 MkI). They are interchangable of course but by the time you've purchased an E-PL1 body and a 14-42 MkII lens seperately you probably wouldn't have saved much if at all compared to buying an E-PL2.

Ahhhhh, had not heard of those converters then :)
That would affect ones choices.
I have yet to handle an E-PL2 so I cannot comment on build quality.

I think the official Olympus convertors are a fisheye and a wide-angle. Haven't actually seen any images taken using them so I don't know how good they are.

The other difference between the kit lenses is that the new Mark II version (on the E-PL2) also has the MSC designation (Movie and Still Compatible), meaning that it has very quick, quiet, internal focus (particularly important if you shoot video without an external mic). That's what allows the non-rotating front element to take the converters as well as a square bayonet lens hood.

Originally Posted by Luckypenguin

I think the official Olympus convertors are a fisheye and a wide-angle.

Plus a macro converter. :) 3 in total.

Originally Posted by Ned

The other difference between the kit lenses is that the new Mark II version (on the E-PL2) also has the MSC designation (Movie and Still Compatible), meaning that it has very quick, quiet, internal focus (particularly important if you shoot video without an external mic). That's what allows the non-rotating front element to take the converters as well as a square bayonet lens hood.

Ned that is indeed a big plus and I had forgotten that. My 14-150mm is so rated and it is indeed quick and silent.

for the further discussion. Had a play with both cameras at a local store - and I'm fairly well decided on the PL2 - defintely just tad faster AF, better LCD and the rotary dial was also somehting that until you handle the camera you dont appreciate the difference it makes.
There are some example pics with the converter lenses on DC Watch - and sharpness looks very good.
Hopefully will be paid out in the next week so I can make the purchase. It is like a dream to have a camera body the size of a canon G11 that takes lenses. Certainly wouldnt want much smaller as you need some area to access buttons and hold it comfortably.

The insurance payout is about to go through- and now there is the upcoming June 30 Olympus launch with three new cameras (let alone new lenses)- should I wait for the announcement - or get the E-PL2 kit anyway? And what about the G3 - becuse now I think an eye-level VF is something I've overlooked too casually-especially when son's soccer games are involved ... arrgghhh

June 30? darn. PMA Sydney is on this coming weekend. I wonder if they will have anything to show there. I saw an E-PL1 dead cheap the other day and I was really tempted. $200 cheaper than the XZ-1 was a HUGE temptation... but what held me back was the prospect of an E-PL3 or something similar.

Originally Posted by kyteflyer

June 30? darn. but what held me back was the prospect of an E-PL3 or something similar.

Same thing happened to me - I am leap-frogging the EPL2 and getting the 3rd generation.

I almost wonder if the number 4 will be on the shelves by Christmas ...

Originally Posted by Lili

Ned that is indeed a big plus and I had forgotten that. My 14-150mm is so rated and it is indeed quick and silent.

Hi Lili - as your most dedicated follower . . . . I have now bought myself an E-PL2 to go with my XZ-1, together with the 14-150 lens, which is, indeed, quick and silent.
I've no idea how an E-PL2 compares with an E-PL1, but it's certainly an improvement on an EP-1 with the original firmware!

all the best