Continuing a retro-style theme Olympus has unveiled its second Micro Four Thirds digital camera, the Pen E-P2, a model that enables attachment of an electronic viewfinder.
The revamped version of the 12.3-million-pixel E-P1 is due to land on UK high streets in January, costing around £850. The kit will include an electronic viewfinder and a 14-42mm zoom.
Olympus claims that new functions take ‘usability and functionality even further’.
The viewfinder – attached via the dedicated accessory port on the back of the camera – boasts 100% field of view and is tiltable by up to 90º, according to Olympus.
Housed in a ‘classic black’ body, the E-P2 also includes a port that will allow attachment of an external microphone.
It will also accept different types of microphone via an adapter that is due to be announced soon, says the company.
The firm has also confirmed the upcoming release of two new Micro Four Thirds lenses, both due out in the first half of next year.
They are the M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6. The lenses deliver the 35mm viewing angle equivalents of an 18-36mm and 28-300mm, respectively.
Additional armoury includes two new Art Filters in the shape of Diorama, which is designed to allow users to ‘create the illusion of a model world’; and Cross Process, a function designed to deliver an effect similar to that achieved when cross-processing film in a traditional darkroom.
Improvements over the four-month-old E-P1 also include AF tracking, designed to automatically track moving subjects, continually optimising exposure and focusing.
Also new is a ‘colour boosting’ i-Enhance mode, aimed at bolstering specified colours within the frame.
A spokesman said: ‘By invoking this function, the camera automatically enhances colours. In this way the saved results resemble the way we recollect memories more closely.’
Like its E-P1 sibling, the E-P2 includes 30 frames per second HD resolution movie recording (1,280×720 pixels).
Various kits will be available, details of which are yet to be announced.
An optional matching black leather case, will also go on sale.
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