Nikon D7000 Price: Hands on: Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 review

Update: We have now had chance to shoot with a final production version of the E-PM2. Scroll down to see some sample images which can be downloaded in full resolution.

In many ways, the new Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 is the same as the new Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3, but it has a smaller body and a fixed LCD screen.

This means that it has the same 16.1MP Four Thirds type sensor and TruePic VI image processor as the Olympus OM-D. The Olympus OM-D - or OM-D M5, to give it its full title - is Olympus's premier compact system camera (CSC), and its image quality has impressed many photographers. This bodes well for the image quality from the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2.

Unlike the Olympus OM-D, however, neither the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 or the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 have a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), and images must be composed on the 3-inch LCD screen. With the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 this screen is tiltable, but the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2's is fixed.

Both cameras, announced at Photokina 2012, have a port for connecting an optional external EVF that can sit in the hotshoe. Olympus hasn't announced a new EVF, so for now it's a choice between the VF-2 and VF-3.

Touch focus

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The screens of both the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 and Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 are touch-sensitive, enabling the autofocus point and some settings selections to be made with a touch of the screen.

In addition, there is a touchscreen shutter option that - when activated - sets the camera to focus and fire the shutter at one touch. We found this to be fast and accurate when we tried a preproduction sample of the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, but before we pass final judgment, we want to carry out more extensive testing when we get a full production sample in for testing.

Olympus claims that the two new compact system cameras both offer very fast autofocusing speed, with a figure of 0.1 seconds being quoted. We weren't able to measure this in our initial test, but the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2's AF system seemed fast when we used the preproduction sample.

It's also possible to select the desired AF point using physical buttons if you prefer to. Touching an icon on the screen enables you to toggle between using the screen to set the AF point and using the touch shutter.

As with the Olympus PEN E-P3, the size of the AF points can be reduced to make it easier to select a small target, but the newer cameras enable this to be done however the AF point is selected, not just when the touchscreen is used.

Although menu selections can't be made via the touchscreen, the options available in the Live Guide and Art Filter mode may be navigated and selected using it.

Creative options

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Like the Olympus OM-D, the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 and Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 have the clever Live Bulb mode that helps take better long exposures. Rather than having to calculate or guess the duration of the exposure, this mode enables you to see the image building up on the LCD screen so you close the shutter when it looks right.

There's also an HDR bracketing option that can capture up to five images, with an exposure difference extending across 12EV.

Olympus has led the way with digital filters, and the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 both have 12 Art Filters. Olympus has added a new Watercolour filter to the list, which includes the popular Dramatic Bold and Grainy Black and White.

Handling

Olympus is aiming the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 at those wishing to upgrade from a compact camera, so a small size, ease of use and straightforward controls are the order of the day.

The Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 is smaller than the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3, which in turn is smaller than the Olympus PEN. Nevertheless, it still feels pretty comfortable in the hand, and the controls aren't too small or cramped for those with small to average-sized hands.

While the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 has an interchangeable grip, the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2's grip is fixed.

FlashAir

Like the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3, the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 doesn't have Wi-Fi technology built-in, but it is compatible with Toshiba's new FlashAir SDHC cards, which creates a wireless network that smartphones can connect to.

With the necessary free app installed on the phone, this enables images (full or reduced resolution) to be transferred to the phone and shared using the phone's 3G or Wi-Fi internet connection.

These cards can also be used in older PEN cameras and the Olympus OM-D, but the new models provide control over the image transfer process.

Sample images

We've now had some shooting time with the new Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, and can share the results in their full resolution - hooray.