A mixed review of the E-PL2

[Arnie C Rose]

The E-PL2 is very conveniently sized with the 14-42mm kit lens. The ability to shoot RAW and adjust the exposure and white balance gives flexibility and creativity. However, the main drawback is the slow auto-focus and the difficulty with manual focus in low light conditions. I have recently learned that the camera also suffers from "shutter-shock" with takes the fine details out of images with shutter speeds between about 1/100 to 1/250, which covers a lot of popular shutter speeds for most photographers.

 

[Craig from Nevada]

I owned the camera for a while and sold it last July. For me the major asset of the camera was the price. I picked it up after it had been discontinued with a kit lens for a ridiculously low price (under $200 new). This camera and the other E-PL and E-PM cameras were heavily discounted soon after introduction. It was all about price for this camera and its brother the E-PM1.

I always like the design of the camera. Like a lot of DSLR users, the lack of a viewfinder was a deal breaker for me. While it fit in the backpack, but shooting outside was tough. I used this camera primarily with the m9-18mm lens. A nice setup and something you could carry anywhere. In the end I was still carrying the E-620 (a close relation of the E-PL2) with the 12-60mm lens around with me in my pack.

It was not a lot of fun to use indoors. The results were not good. I understand that the new sensor used in subsequent models was much better in low light.

In the end, the E-PL line really has no place, particularly with the camera phone and tablet advancements. I see that Olympus offers the E-PL5 but the sale price is $499 on its webpage. While this is a superior camera in all respects to the E-PL2, it is not bargain, which is really what the E-PL2 was all about

 

[declan79]

still using this camera, if we known the limitations then this camera still can produce a great photo

 

[Edward Lowy]

I used the EPL2 for a couple of years and found it to produce outstandingly sharp pictures. I have now bought an EP5 but have kept the EPL2 - I consider it to be sharper with a more pleasing colour spectrum than the EP5 which I am still learning to use to best effect.

I found the OOC JPG's from the EPL2 to be superb.

I have never seen any sign of shutter-shock on the EPL2, I haven't read any particular discussion about shutter-shock with that body, nor do I think it to be particularly slow in focussing. The EP5 is certainly better in low light, but I never found this to be a particular drawback with the EPL2.

I don't recognise any particular similarities to the E620 which was a 4/3rds camera.

In terms of viewfinders, the EPL line was designed to be compact, the screen I found to be fine for composition. I bought a VF2 viewfinder which caters for folk who like to hold the body to the eye.

All in all, the EPL2 was / is my favourite camera - quite outstanding.

Kind regards

Edward

(not sure why this thread is in the SLR forum, not the Micro 4/3rds)

 

[Craig from Nevada]

The e-620 and e-pl2 had the same sensor, thus the common lineage. The performance of this sensor has been discussed quite a bit on this site.

There was a huge jump in quality with the introduction of the E-PL5 and the new sensor.

I used the EPL2 for a couple of years and found it to produce outstandingly sharp pictures. I have now bought an EP5 but have kept the EPL2 - I consider it to be sharper with a more pleasing colour spectrum than the EP5 which I am still learning to use to best effect.

I found the OOC JPG's from the EPL2 to be superb.

I have never seen any sign of shutter-shock on the EPL2, I haven't read any particular discussion about shutter-shock with that body, nor do I think it to be particularly slow in focussing. The EP5 is certainly better in low light, but I never found this to be a particular drawback with the EPL2.

I don't recognise any particular similarities to the E620 which was a 4/3rds camera.

In terms of viewfinders, the EPL line was designed to be compact, the screen I found to be fine for composition. I bought a VF2 viewfinder which caters for folk who like to hold the body to the eye.

All in all, the EPL2 was / is my favourite camera - quite outstanding.

Kind regards

Edward

(not sure why this thread is in the SLR forum, not the Micro 4/3rds)

--
https://picasaweb.google.com/edwardlowy

 

[Craig from Nevada]

For the money, e-pl2 was a heck of a deal.

 

[108]

The Epl-2 is a fine camera . I like it so much I own 2 bodies --bodies can be had for dirt cheap these days .

The ooc jpegs are clean and sharp , the color rendition is spot on, wb is accurate ( much more so than on the 620, which has same sensor ), it's possible to bounce the built-in flash ( great feature ), AF is OK , not fast nor really slow, nice back screen , good construction, good ergonomics, reliable , comfortable to hold . On the downside shutter is noisy, shutter lag is horrible and do not count on shooting fast multiple exposures , and 1600 iso the dead limit with quite a bit of noise .

I take one body for travelling with the 20 mm f1.7, and the other at home with pana 14-45 zoom and 45 1-8 . The 14-45 really shines on this body .

I'm fully satisfied with the rendition of the sensor, and have not been that impressed with the newer sensor performance - I wish they had produced version 2 with same sensor albeit with better high iso performance .

 

[Edward Lowy]

The Epl-2 is a fine camera . I like it so much I own 2 bodies --bodies can be had for dirt cheap these days .

The ooc jpegs are clean and sharp , the color rendition is spot on, wb is accurate ( much more so than on the 620, which has same sensor ), it's possible to bounce the built-in flash ( great feature ), AF is OK , not fast nor really slow, nice back screen , good construction, good ergonomics, reliable , comfortable to hold . On the downside shutter is noisy, shutter lag is horrible and do not count on shooting fast multiple exposures , and 1600 iso the dead limit with quite a bit of noise .

I take one body for travelling with the 20 mm f1.7, and the other at home with pana 14-45 zoom and 45 1-8 . The 14-45 really shines on this body .

I'm fully satisfied with the rendition of the sensor, and have not been that impressed with the newer sensor performance - I wish they had produced version 2 with same sensor albeit with better high iso performance .

I agree with much of this - when I first moved from the EPL2 to an EPL5, I was so dismayed by the newer sensor that I returned the camera - twice! I find the newer sensor OOC JPG's to be very saturated, and struggled to get as sharp pictures as with the EPL2.

I recall that when I got the EPL2, I was absolutely blown away with my first few shots with it. Quite the reverse with the EPL5. Some months later, I invested in an EP5 - same sensor as the EPL5 of course so my logic is somewhat whacky! Have persevered with the EP5 - when it is good, it's very good, but it is harder work than the very reliable EPL2.

The new (EP5) sensor is tremendous in low light, the only area for me where it is a distinct improvement. I can't say I noticed any shutter lag issues and over the years was pretty successful in getting sharp action shots of my kids leaping into swimming pools etc

The latest technology is not necessarily the best in my view. Top marks to the EPL2 if anyone is thinking of getting one secondhand etc

Kind regards

Edward

 

[Arnie C Rose]

I had been perservering with the E-PL2 until a few months ago. The body and the kit 14-42 lens stopped talking to each other. I could take one photo, then watch the camera lock up with a lens error message on the screen. So I turned the camera off, wait a few seconds and then start the camera again. Taking one photo at the time wasn't working. I traded in the E-PL2 with the original box for $50 (Canadian) and purchased an OMD-EM10 with a newer kit 14-42 lens.

The differences are remarkable. I've taken low-light images at 1/20 of a second at 1600 ISO with minimal noise, sharp details and warm colours. This would be impossible with the E-PL2. I'm really happy I got rid of it and purchased the E-M10.

 

[Craig from Nevada]

I owned an E-PL2 for a while and sold it a couple of years ago. I always liked the camera.

I then purchased an E-PL6 back in August. The difference is astounding--everything seems brighter.

 

[alexisgreat]

I owned an E-PL2 for a while and sold it a couple of years ago. I always liked the camera.

I then purchased an E-PL6 back in August. The difference is astounding--everything seems brighter.

Yes, this is the camera I am getting in January. From everything I have heard and read, there was a huge jump in sensor quality (not just Four Thirds, but APS-C and full frame too) made between 2012 and 2013. I know that for regular daytime photography it doesn't mean much, but for things like astrophotography, which really tests the quality of the sensor, I wouldn't use a DSLR or mirrorless camera made before 2013. The E-PL6 is a huge leap over the E-PL2.

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

 

[Craig from Nevada]

There is a big difference between the cameras that is noticeable even from just taking a couple of shots indoors. Outdoors there are some differences too. The shots are not only brighter, but the blue skies on the outdoor shots seem to have that Olympus Blue about them as well.

I purchased this for my wife and she loves it. The size is great. I liked the price--picked one up new on ebay for $260. If they had just put the new sensor on board the E-PL2 it would be perfect. The E-PL6 does not have a built-in flash, so you are left carrying the flash around.

I owned an E-PL2 for a while and sold it a couple of years ago. I always liked the camera.

I then purchased an E-PL6 back in August. The difference is astounding--everything seems brighter.

Yes, this is the camera I am getting in January. From everything I have heard and read, there was a huge jump in sensor quality (not just Four Thirds, but APS-C and full frame too) made between 2012 and 2013. I know that for regular daytime photography it doesn't mean much, but for things like astrophotography, which really tests the quality of the sensor, I wouldn't use a DSLR or mirrorless camera made before 2013. The E-PL6 is a huge leap over the E-PL2.

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

 

[alexisgreat]

There is a big difference between the cameras that is noticeable even from just taking a couple of shots indoors. Outdoors there are some differences too. The shots are not only brighter, but the blue skies on the outdoor shots seem to have that Olympus Blue about them as well.

I purchased this for my wife and she loves it. The size is great. I liked the price--picked one up new on ebay for $260. If they had just put the new sensor on board the E-PL2 it would be perfect. The E-PL6 does not have a built-in flash, so you are left carrying the flash around.

I owned an E-PL2 for a while and sold it a couple of years ago. I always liked the camera.

I then purchased an E-PL6 back in August. The difference is astounding--everything seems brighter.

Yes, this is the camera I am getting in January. From everything I have heard and read, there was a huge jump in sensor quality (not just Four Thirds, but APS-C and full frame too) made between 2012 and 2013. I know that for regular daytime photography it doesn't mean much, but for things like astrophotography, which really tests the quality of the sensor, I wouldn't use a DSLR or mirrorless camera made before 2013. The E-PL6 is a huge leap over the E-PL2.

 

[Craig from Nevada]

There is a big difference between the cameras that is noticeable even from just taking a couple of shots indoors. Outdoors there are some differences too. The shots are not only brighter, but the blue skies on the outdoor shots seem to have that Olympus Blue about them as well.

I purchased this for my wife and she loves it. The size is great. I liked the price--picked one up new on ebay for $260. If they had just put the new sensor on board the E-PL2 it would be perfect. The E-PL6 does not have a built-in flash, so you are left carrying the flash around.

I owned an E-PL2 for a while and sold it a couple of years ago. I always liked the camera.

I then purchased an E-PL6 back in August. The difference is astounding--everything seems brighter.

Yes, this is the camera I am getting in January. From everything I have heard and read, there was a huge jump in sensor quality (not just Four Thirds, but APS-C and full frame too) made between 2012 and 2013. I know that for regular daytime photography it doesn't mean much, but for things like astrophotography, which really tests the quality of the sensor, I wouldn't use a DSLR or mirrorless camera made before 2013. The E-PL6 is a huge leap over the E-PL2.

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

Yep, the E-PL6 has the same image quality, high ISO, DR, etc, as the E-Mx cameras, when you compare them all on DXOMark they get close to identical scores on everything.

Wait, was the 260 for the E-PL6 with or without the kit lens? I found a body only E-PL6 here for $190

It came with a kit lens and a warranty.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLYMPUS-PEN...914959?hash=item464639f84f:g:rmMAAOSwQPlV9u-w

This camera is from Japan, would Olympus honor the warranty in the US?

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

 

[alexisgreat]

There is a big difference between the cameras that is noticeable even from just taking a couple of shots indoors. Outdoors there are some differences too. The shots are not only brighter, but the blue skies on the outdoor shots seem to have that Olympus Blue about them as well.

I purchased this for my wife and she loves it. The size is great. I liked the price--picked one up new on ebay for $260. If they had just put the new sensor on board the E-PL2 it would be perfect. The E-PL6 does not have a built-in flash, so you are left carrying the flash around.

I owned an E-PL2 for a while and sold it a couple of years ago. I always liked the camera.

I then purchased an E-PL6 back in August. The difference is astounding--everything seems brighter.

Yes, this is the camera I am getting in January. From everything I have heard and read, there was a huge jump in sensor quality (not just Four Thirds, but APS-C and full frame too) made between 2012 and 2013. I know that for regular daytime photography it doesn't mean much, but for things like astrophotography, which really tests the quality of the sensor, I wouldn't use a DSLR or mirrorless camera made before 2013. The E-PL6 is a huge leap over the E-PL2.

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

Yep, the E-PL6 has the same image quality, high ISO, DR, etc, as the E-Mx cameras, when you compare them all on DXOMark they get close to identical scores on everything.

Wait, was the 260 for the E-PL6 with or without the kit lens? I found a body only E-PL6 here for $190

It came with a kit lens and a warranty.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLYMPUS-PEN...914959?hash=item464639f84f:g:rmMAAOSwQPlV9u-w

This camera is from Japan, would Olympus honor the warranty in the US?

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

Thanks, that's what I'm going to look for. Most places sell that combo for $299 right now. Sounds like you bought from a seller in the U.S.? I'm going to avoid overseas sellers since those might be grey market. Did they charge you anything for shipping?

--
https://supermanalexthegreat.shutterfly.com/

 

[108]

Took my old epl-2 body for a vacation to the canary islands , with the 45 and the 20 mm . Took about 300 hundred shots with these two lenses . I take my " second" body because I figure if it gets broken or stolen or lost it won't be a financial disaster , cost me 80 euros and I still have the first one . Third time I take it down there, it's not weather sealed, and it gets used in the wind, on the beach, in the sun , standing in the water , etc...no problem , never failed, still functions as good as ever . In good light it gives very good pictures . Up to iso 1600 with good care . Used it on a tripod also , for night shots , and quickly discovered it was better to keep the shuter speed under 2 seconds for best results, long exposures are ruined by noise , even at iso 200 .

Here two pics, one with 45 and one on tripod with 20mm 1.7 ( a greaaaaaat lens )

 

[alexisgreat]

Thanks for the tip about Newegg Craig, I got it for $249 with the $50 instant rebate..... I read somewhere earlier that long exposures over 2 seconds are noisy? They aren't actually, you just need to keep dark frame subtraction on full time.

 

[Michael M Fliegel]

I bought an epl2 for my daughter. She loves it. I like the size and design but it can't keep up with the 16 mp sensor pens.