Olympus PEN E-PM2 anyone? (IMGs)

Bill Rees wrote:

I just don't think it sold well enough to compel Olympus to make another model and there wasn't that much to differentiate if from the E-PL series.

In the end, it wasn't really what I needed to compliment my m43 bodes for a smaller camera.

True, it's nice, but without a niche. Olympus had to heavily discount thus model for more than a year in order to clear out their backlog. I got mine in a 2-lens kit for just $329. There could not have been any profit for Olympus in that deal.

By the way, I recently bought the VF-4 Finder for it at a cheap $99 and that makes it a much more versatile camera.

... feel free to continue

Jim Salvas wrote:

Bill Rees wrote:

I just don't think it sold well enough to compel Olympus to make another model and there wasn't that much to differentiate if from the E-PL series.

In the end, it wasn't really what I needed to compliment my m43 bodes for a smaller camera.

True, it's nice, but without a niche. Olympus had to heavily discount thus model for more than a year in order to clear out their backlog. I got mine in a 2-lens kit for just $329. There could not have been any profit for Olympus in that deal.

By the way, I recently bought the VF-4 Finder for it at a cheap $99 and that makes it a much more versatile camera.

Yes I think the Pen cameras need the attachable EVF option for shooting in bright conditions and perhaps when more precise framing is required. I am still divided over whether having to remember to bring it and attach it is worth the advantage of being able to not use it when it is not needed. There are times when I wish for a Pen with a built-in EVF (the oldest unfulfilled dream in the m43 world). But I must admit that most of the time I use my E-P5's LCD screen and I don't need a finder at all and it's then that the Pen concept shines. I have a VF-2 that I bought years ago and it cost more than $99 that you paid for a much better spec't finder. Congrats! They say the VF-4 is Olympus's best EVF except the new one on the E-M5-II. The only disadvantage is the high magnification for people like me who wear spectacles and won't be able to see the full frame.

The E-PM2 has been discontinued and as from what I've read it is not to be replaced, which would be a shame. It is really cool in my view to have a camera this small when combined with a pancake lens, but as an ILC still capable of taking larger and various lenses. My wife shoots hers with the 14-42 kit lens (95% of the time) for a light and pocketbook-able (LOL) camera, but she just asked to borrow my Sigma 60 for a special shoot. I expect her results will be every bit as good as I can get with my E-P5. It's that kind of flexibility to take a larger specialty lens combined with the portability when combined with small, light lenses that makes it a worthwhile camera. But if people like Rees are typical in comparing it to a compact then I suppose its market niche has shrunk.

Anyone know whether in fact Olympus has stated it will not be replaced?

I think the GM line stole the PM's thunder, Panasonic managed to execute a similar concept in a smaller but more premium model which probably made it more profitable initially... Tho the GM1 is now down to $400-$530 (body/kit), or as low as $340 as a grey import; but they brought the price back up on the GM5 with an EVF and other tweaks.

It remains to be seen whether Olympus tries to come up with a new line to compete with the GMs or whether Panasonic even keeps both GMs around going forward. I dunno how small Olympus can scale IBIS or whether they'd be willing to sell an IBIS-less body (probably not). The PM2 was/is definitely one of the better deals out there tho.

It is a very nice and compact camera.  I use it with the Lumix 12-32 a lot... makes a very small, light, and versatile combination.

As has been mentioned the 2-axis IBIS is not very good. The Panasonic lenses with In Lens Stabilization work great however , just make sure to set it up right: Menu> Setup > Gears > Release  > Lens I.S. Priority >On ... then make sure to leave S-IS turned on.  If you put on a Panasonic Lens it will use Lens IS, if you use an Oly lens it will use IBIS. In addition to the stabilized Lumix 12-32 I have great luck with the Lumix 45-150 which is also stabilized.  What is great about the Panasonic lenses is that "Live View" is stabilized which is great for telephoto shots. You get great bang for your buck with this camera... maybe a little harder to use that the higher end cameras but with some care you can get shots equal to the EM-1.

Have fun!

traveler_101 wrote:

The E-PM2 has been discontinued and as from what I've read it is not to be replaced, which would be a shame. It is really cool in my view to have a camera this small when combined with a pancake lens, but as an ILC still capable of taking larger and various lenses. My wife shoots hers with the 14-42 kit lens (95% of the time) for a light and pocketbook-able (LOL) camera, but she just asked to borrow my Sigma 60 for a special shoot. I expect her results will be every bit as good as I can get with my E-P5. It's that kind of flexibility to take a larger specialty lens combined with the portability when combined with small, light lenses that makes it a worthwhile camera. But if people like Rees are typical in comparing it to a compact then I suppose its market niche has shrunk.

Anyone know whether in fact Olympus has stated it will not be replaced?

According to various websites, it's been discontinued--although I'd say the second-hand market will be rife with them for years to come, and the prices of the bodies will be dirt cheap if you want to continue using them.

When mine gives up the ghost, or if there's some quantum improvement in the OM-D models, I'll upgrade, but in the meantime, I love it.  I love the look of the black and silver E-PL7s also.

I have two E-PM2 bodies. One was bought as part of the $349 deal that Amazon ran for Cyber Monday 2013, and the other one was picked up as a backup body off of ebay. After selling most of the kit lenses (I kept one copy of the 40-150 f/4-5.6), I was able to get both bodies and one lens for $300.

First, the good:

- Same sensor as almost everything else Oly makes = same pictures as almost everything else Oly makes, at least when shooting in RAW.

- IBIS is not generally a concern for me as I shoot a lot of candids - with either the Oly 17mm or the PL25, motion blur kicks in long before I'm in stabilization territory, and I can generally brace myself well enough to shoot the 45mm at 1/60th. Good for the occasional posed very-low-light shot (ISO6400, f1.4, 1/15 sec.)

- With the Oly 17mm, Pana 14mm, or the 12-32, the thing is basically a large-ish point and shoot. If I throw on the 12-32 it's near-as-makes-no-difference the same size as my XZ-1, just trading a bit of zoom range for a bit more dynamic range and low light.

- The SCP is fantastic, especially when I have my VF2 attached.

- I almost always keep the camera on continuous low (3fps) - I'm fast enough to only take one shot, but hold it down and I can quickly get a little slideshow. A little too trigger happy on continuous high (8fps), but very happy it's there.

- I can throw on the VF-2 when I need it, something the GM1 can't do.

Then the bad:

- Could really use a second dial. I'm ok without the flip screen, but what's wrong with putting a spin-dial around the shutter button?

- No VF and flash at the same time. Sometimes ISO3200 doesn't cut it, but I want to be shooting with the VF2. I guess that's what OMDs or the E-P5 is for.

- Continuous AF is bad. Really bad. This by itself makes me want an E-M1, or any camera that can track, honestly.

- Build quality. My black unit has had to go in to replace the shutter, my red one has a finicky dial.

- I wish I could take these batteries and use them on an E-M1 - I have three batteries, and being able to carry one set of batteries for two bodies (one E-M1 and one E-PM2) would be great. Minor niggle though.