Pixiq

Today Olympus announces the new 12.3 megapixel PEN E-PL2, the fourth generation of the award-winning and pioneering Olympus PEN family of compact interchangeable lens digital cameras. Known for high quality images, point-and-shoot simplicity and high-definition video, the PEN E-PL2 continues the PEN family’s legacy of simple design, intuitive interface and Single Lens Reflex image quality. The new camera expands the Live Guide feature offered in previous models andhas, new in-camera creative features, new auxiliary lenses, a Close-Up Spotlight accessory (shown below) for Macro photography and a new Olympus PENPal Bluetooth accessory. 

Features Include:

• MSC Lens - the new Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) ED m14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens (28mm-84mm equivalent) features a high-speed, silent autofocus during still shooting and high definition (HD) video capture;
• New 3-inch 460,000 dot LCD - for bright and easy image composition;
• Live Guide II - preview HD video and still image effects on the E-PL2’s high-resolution LCD screen to achieve the perfect result effortlessly;
• Art Filter Variations and Enhancements - choose from different art filter looks to expand your creative horizons or overlay different art filters to create something new, now with full manual control; You can see some examples here.
• ISO 6400 capability - take great low-light photos with the camera’s increased ISO sensitivity;
• New Ergonomic Body Design - shoot stills and videos comfortably with a more ergonomic grip and updated button placement and functionality for ease of use. It looks a little bigger than my EP-L1 but I'll wait for a review unit before further comment.
• Face Detection with iDetect - a new function that makes it easier to capture the spirit of your subject, automatically making a person’s eye the focus point of the image. The E-PL2 further reduces the chance of blurred subjects in images by recognizing up to eight faces, tracking them within the image area, and automatically focusing and optimizing exposure for sharp portraits.

At $599.99 with the new MSC ED m14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens, the 12.3 megapixel ergonomic E-PL2 is perfect for everyone from beginners, who want to expand their creative horizons, to experienced photographers who desire high-quality results without the size and weight of a traditional SLR.