Compact Super camera with a few annoying errors

With the kit-zoom I could not make friends really me: the picture quality is indeed really perfectly, and the Auto Focus works fast and accurately. But the lens already bears in the retracted position to fairly; really pocket fit the otherwise very compact camera with this lens stops. The balance in hand suffers: at least three dozen times I've cursed at the beginning about the fact that I have raised with the palm of your hand accidentally the Info button (bottom right) - that happens so easily, the front-heavy is the lens. One can not really blame the camera, compactness of doing that in principle even at the expense of grip. But if that's so, then the camera should be just really compact and the lens ago. In addition, the kit zoom is annoying with its manual extension mechanism: each turn camera lens out, remove cover, photograph, position the cover, retract the lens again, off camera again ... The new pancake zoom or - at higher requirements for image quality - one of the pancake primes is there undoubtedly more meaningful than standard lens.

I have therefore decided to use the new pancake zoom, along with the (actually outrageously expensive but ingenious) automatic lens cover. This comes to real compact camera feeling: so the PM2 is now really compact enough to slip in mountaineering as my old Panasonic TZ10 in the Anoraktasche and to contribute to more frequent use of one-sided wrist strap. To take a picture by simply pressing the power button: lens extends automatically, lid also opens automatically.

The image quality of the pancake zoom can not quite keep up with the old kit-zoom after my first impressions: the images are under strong magnification not quite as sharp crack, also dimmed and in the center. But for the usual holiday souvenir photos it's good enough, and for semi-professional claims can take yes occasionally nobler and heavier glass. The autofocus of the pancake is again considerably quicker than the old kit-zoom - although that was not even slow. And the macro-region has the pancake zoom even a slightly larger magnification - fortunately with the largest representation at the long focal length end, one must not - as in compact cameras - sundries creatures equal back directly on the fur. On the Power Zoom I must get used yet, because I find the manual setting of the old zoom practical. When filming the engine may be an advantage.

Back to camera itself: the service concept, I feel now - after a lengthy adjustment period, I was not previously "Olympian" - as a logical and practical. One wishes, of course soon least another wheel and one or two more, configurable keys to there has Olympus m. E. for a camera system the minimization but too far. Especially the storable user sets are very useless, because you have to go down to three levels deep menu to display it in each individual case. If one in favor of compactness and price has been no mode dial, then you should at least have the User Sets place on the touch-screen to the program selection, z. B. in place the type filter, which I find as superfluous as a goiter. Enough space would be there now have been truly, you just want. The cost - because so unnecessary as annoying - half a star in my rating. The other half of the fifth star goes to the account of the customer-hostile, proprietary USB port, for you need a special cable (always take, and just do not lose ...), about the battery in the camera can not even load; while you have the camera hanging on the PC, they foolishly draws current from the battery. To load one must remove the battery from the camera and in a supplied, plenty of bulky power supply (for AC and nothing else) stuck. In this age of standardized Micro-USB connector which is simply an outrageous disgrace. As the battery becomes flat relatively quickly, the acquisition and driving is a spare battery duty - as with most modern cameras.

But that's also enough with scolding and deduction of points, otherwise only sunshine: the image quality is (of course depending on each turn screwed glass) for the camera size just terrific. The camera focuses on (again, with the right lenses) not only lightning fast, it is also quickly ready to shoot. Bracketing go really "Ratatat" - as soon as one speaks it. The PM2 is therefore my first camera, I have programmed by default on three exposures per trip in order to have a choice in both the optimum exposure (half stop difference) as well as in any subject movement, Face, Blink, etc. afterwards. The sensitivity I can crank up to ISO 3200 without significant limitations in image quality: because the PM2 needs despite their small size does not hide even before the majority of adult APS-C-monsters. Installed no flash, I feel rather as an advantage: so I do not take it with you because I need the flash also indoor hardly ever given the highly sensitive image sensor. One wish I would of course still on the enclosed Blitzgerätchen: if already hinged, then you should either upwards can also work by 90 degrees in order to thus trigger a decent slave flash can be lit without the subject directly (and correspondingly poor) ,

The display is very good for my taste made, with clear, practical displays and a well-integrated touch operation. The 16/9 format suits me personally, because I default Scan in this format because the format of the usual monitors and televisions. In addition, I save RAW from - I can then afterwards occasionally also get the full sensor size me where this better suited to the scene. In bright sunlight, the display is - barely visible - as with all Digi's. But who has ever tried to clip-on electronic viewfinder (in my case VF-2), is anyway only want it very reluctant to give. Especially for focusing manual lenses of the viewfinder is an absolute must - and also in bright light the perfect solution. For the same reason, I also miss the foldable display rarely, since for the electronic viewfinder is indeed hinged.

Which brings us again would be with the lenses: the huge selection is one of the big advantages of the MFT system. For short end I have now gained me the 9mm "Bodycap": for comparatively little money (remember: for 100 Euro at least a 5-Linser with 2 aspherical elements!) Is an ingenious expansion that as of space and weight ago virtually not loaded and opened entirely new perspectives especially indoors. On variable aperture, more light intensity and autofocus you can do without in this extreme (fisheye) Wide.

For long end make old, inexpensive to first rising, manual fixed focal lengths from 40 mm sense, especially since the PM2 with their sensor-side image stabilizer can stabilize the image, too. Since I have - after former high quality with a Mamiya ZE-X - for a Mamiya ZE-adapter (Fotodiox - currently available only as a US-Import) decided: I can the 1: 1.4 / 50 (Lichtstarkes use 4/200 (fast aperture super telephoto) of Mamiya that you get because of their lower visibility despite excellent image quality for "nen Appel und'n egg": Portrait) 1: 3.5 / 135 (compact telephoto) and 1. These lenses are quite equivalent to the renowned, at least three times more expensive traded Nikon or Canon lenses; z. B. Rollei has at that time sold for less expensive line on the SL35 mainly umgelabelte Mamiya lenses, which hardly inferior to the outrageously expensive Zeiss lenses high and are also traded little cheaper today in this form (as "Roll Einare"). However, caution: Lenses for the Mamiya older CS bayonet Although mechanically fit to the adapter, it can be but not dim. Specifically for CS on MFT's (yet?) An adapter.

Small excursions in the Pentax-110 and C-mount worlds were amusing, but ultimately not very productive. Most of them are - at least in the lower price range - unfortunately just as bad as cheap. The only which I have for the time being the 1: 2.8 / 70 he keep telephoto for Pentax 110 because nicely compact with even halfway acceptable image quality. And at a very low offer, Russian Industar macro lens 1: 2.8 / 50 for M42 I also slammed so I move in spring to flower in our garden on the fur. The bright 20 Pancake from Panasonic as an alternative standard lens is still on my wish list when the finance minister eventually giving his consent ...

A few words to the configuration that has been tried and tested well in my PM2: normally I take pictures with "P" - only when I give the camera in ignorant hands, I put it on "iAUTO". The adjuster adjusts the exposure compensation with me, so I can get the exposure directly under visual control to the subject adapt (exposure sensors to Center-weighted average). With rocker switch up I turn the wheel on program shift to - so I can then, if necessary, without having to change the wheel, the speed / aperture combination (with constant light value) change what is yes also check with the electronic viewfinder very nice to the desired image effect through leaves. In the manual lenses I need to not even switch because the aperture ring is used as "program shift." On the Fn button (top right) I put my digital zoom: handy to manual lenses sometimes just 2 for more precise focusing: 1 zoom (with manual lenses I photograph exclusively with the electronic viewfinder) - but also in order, if necessary, to make an enlargement equal in the camera. Since I with abspeichere, RAW had I the complete sensor format automatically also always available. The image format I usually stand on 16/9, only to have the optimal format for the screen display; Again, I can rely occasionally on RAW on the full format. Of course, everything at the highest level of quality - in the face of cheaper 64 GB memory cards makes saving no more sense. For the same reason - and because the PM2 is an extremely brisk camera - I programmed bracketing with three shots (half aperture value difference) as a standard per trip. In a second Userset I have instead are 5 shots for HDR bracketing. For a comfortable calling this second user sets I have "sacrificed" the video trigger: I can spontaneously shoot an HDR bracketing instead of the standard three-row while pressing "video" button. For videos I have to just try the main menu; I rarely movies, that is acceptable to me. For Panorama series finally I turn on the main menu on the scene programs, where with me "Panorama" is the default - in this case, of course, in full 4/3-format. So I'm prepared for most cases of photo-everyday without having to immerse myself in awkward menus. Only the focal length adjustment for manual lenses (for image stabilization and meaningful time choice for the automatic exposure) is unfortunately a bit cumbersome.

Conclusion: the Olympus E-PM2 is an excellent camera with which you can also take pictures quite ambitious for comparatively little money. For this claim, she is also currently unrivaled compact. The mechanical quality is right: a metal bayonet is not a matter of course in this price range. One need not resort to the more expensive E-PL5, or even e-P5; But if you - which is highly recommended - also works with manual lenses, you should treat yourself definitely one of the attachable electronic viewfinder.

A deduction of points, there is only for part of the manufacturer easily avoidable - and precisely because so madder - Nickeligkeiten during handling. And currently as a standard kit lens with selling (large) 14-42 Zoom still are visually good, but does not fit in the handling quite to the otherwise extremely compact camera.