Olympus PEN E-PM2: Conclusion

Conclusion
The Olympus E-PM2 is surely not a camera for everyone. Advanced users will find the lack of buttons and the need to dig through menus to be extremely frustrating. For the best experience, it would be wise to leave the camera in aperture priority--therefore balancing the need to manipulate exposure settings and the need to concentrate most on shooting what's in front of you. However, the person who knows almost nothing about photography will be able to pick up this camera and shoot photos that they'll fall in love with right from the start. The touchscreen also incredibly boosts the performance and lets the user take full advantage of Olympus' revamped F.A.S.T. autofocus system.

Like the OM-D E-M5 and E-PL5, the image quality is some of the best that the company has produced to date and most people may not have a problem at all with the high ISO results. And despite the fact that this camera may not be used much for capturing video, its lack of direct controls will make shooting somewhat more of a pleasurable experience for experienced shooters.

Make no mistake though--if you're looking for a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, users with more photography knowledge will want to spring for the E-PL5 or perhaps even Sony's NEX-5R and Fujifilm's XE-1. If you're thinking about giving this camera to someone (and we've all heard them) that want to take great photos without knowing anything about photography, feel free to hand them this camera. 

Pros:

• Great image quality up to ISO 1600
• Fast focusing
• Compact size
• The addition of the touchscreen really boosted performance up from the EPM1
• Excellent battery life
• The set it and forget it philosophy will have great appeal to the beginning shooter but drive an advanced user up a wall--and the E-PM2 may then be best reserved as an expensive doorstop.

Cons:

• No pop-up flash
• High ISO pixel smudging
• Too much of a plasticy feeling to the camera body

Individual Ratings: *

Image/Video Quality 
Features 
Design/Ease of Use 
Performance 
Expandability 
* Ratings averaged to produce final score