Olympus Pen E-P5 announced

Olympus has announced the new Pen E-P5, which replaces the 2-year-old E-P3.  Inspired by the original Olympus Pen F from 1963 the retro styled E-P5 is a premium micro 4/3rds camera.  It will be available in June in a choice of silver, black or white body.

Via dc.watch.impress.co.jp

Here are some of the Olympus E-P5 specs:

16.1 megapixels MOS Sensor

5 Axis Image Stabilisation (improved)

1/8000 sec max. shutter speed

1/320 sec flash sync speed

ISO ‘LOW’ (ISO 100 equivalent)

Focus Peaking (for accurate manual focus)

Built in Wi-Fi remote shooting

Up to 9fps shooting

Super spot AF

3”inch tilting touch panel LCD screen

2x2 dial controls (front and back)

The E-P5 design looks great especially in the silver option. It immediately gives the impression that this is a premium product although the price tag of £899 for body only is likely to make you aware of this. The handling has been improved thanks to the new rear thumb grip and the tilting screen is a welcome addition as it offers more flexible shooting angles.

The E-P5 weighs in more than the E-P3 it replaces - 420 grams against the 369 grams (both including battery & memory card).  I think a good size to weight ratio is important for communicating quality and I welcome the extra weight.  Fuji could learn from Olympus when it comes to a quality-feeling product.  The Fuji X-PRO 1 is a great camera but the weight is too light for it’s size and it feels hollow and cheap in my opinion.

There is a new optional high resolution VF-4 electronic viewfinder featuring 2.36m dot lcd and 0.74x magnification (equiv) with eye sensor and tilt mechanism.

There's also premium leather accessories available to add the finishing touches to your kit.

The original Olympus Pen F

I can't wait to handle the E-P5 when it arrives in the shops.  Until then I'll just drool!