Wow! Three exciting new items at once! Yesterday, Fujifilm announced their next-generation EXR sensor, now based on CMOS technology, backside illuminated and sporting 16 (8 effective) megapixels. Today, Olympus announced their (previously leaked) new and improved E-PL2 entry-level Micro Four Thirds camera as well as their new XZ-1 high-end compact.

Read on to learn all about these new models!Next-generation EXR sensor / Fujifilm F500/F550EXR and HS20EXR announced

Fujifilm have introduced the next generation of their acclaimed EXR sensors, to be first used in the upcoming F500/F550EXR and HS20EXR camera models. The new sensor is based on CMOS technology now (previously: CCD), is backside illuminated (which means the light hits the sensitive areas directy, making each pixel more sensitive) and now features 16 megapixels, which will yield effective 8 megapixels of outstanding image quality. This new technology also allows for full-HD video as well as high-speed image capture.

The Fujifilm F550EXR. Picture © Fujifilm

The F500/F550EXR is based on the F300EXR, sporting the same incredible 15x zoom optics, but now additionally features 1080p HD video, GPS and RAW (both F550EXR only). In DR mode, dynamic range can now be boosted up to 1600% (previously: 800%). Other specifications are identical with the F300EXR.

The HS20 superzoom is based on the previous HS10 model, equally sporting a whopping 30x zoom lens, and shares the new 16 mp EXR BSI CMOS sensor with the F500/F550EXR. On top of the HS10’s specifications, the HS20 gains 1080p HD video as well as an improved screen, now resolving 460k dots — again like the F500/F550EXR.

The new EXR sensor definitely sounds like an interesting piece of technology, and I’m curious to see how it performs compared to the old model. (Don’t forget to visit this info page on the new EXR sensor, linked to above as well.)

Olympus E-PL2

Here it is, the previosuly rumoured E-PL2, Olympus’ latest entry-level Micro Four Thirds camera.

The new Olympus E-PL2. Picture © Olympus

It really is a new model, and not just an upgrade from the E-PL1. Featuring a new, more retro-like design which is in line with that of the E-P1 and E-P2, the E-PL2 makes do with the all-button operation and re-adds the click-and-turn wheel known from the E-P1 and E-P2. It’s also got a new screen, which is now 3″ in size (E-PL1: 2.7″) and resolves — finally! — 460k dots. Best of all though is that it’ll come with the new 14-42 Mk II kit zoom, which is a great improvement over the original kit zoom and was first announced with the Japan-only E-PL1s last month. The new lens is now focusing internally, which means it’s a lot faster and quieter than the old model. The front lens element also doesn’t rotate anymore during focusing, which means you can finally use polarized filters and sunshades with this lens. Another great new feature in the E-PL2 is the “eye detection” AF mode, which will try to focus on a person’s eyes directly. Oh — and 1/4000 sec shutter speed is finally back!

The E-PL2 also features a new accessory port which is now capable of communicating Bluetooth protocols. To use this capability, a new add-on called “Pen Pal” will be introduced with the E-PL2, allowing to share you images via Bluetooth instantly. Other new add-on comprise an accessory port-attachable LED light for close-up work as well as three optical converters for tele, wide-angle and macro uses.

I think I am safe to say that the E-PL2 finally offers all the things we had wished for in the E-PL1: A fast-focusing lens, a high-resolving screen, an internal flash (which was introduced already with the E-PL1) and the option of attaching an even more high-res viewfinder (also possible with the E-PL1). This camera is a very nice improvement on the E-PL1, and I’m sure it’ll sell very well once it hits the stores.

Dpreview have already previewed the E-PL2, and they sound pretty positive in their first judgement.

Olympus XZ-1 high-end compact

I reported on this earlier, this is finally the high-end compact that Olympus first presented at Photokina last year — albeit only as a mock-up. With its compact body, fast 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 lens, high-sensitivity 10 megapixel 1/1.63″ sensor and serious controls layout, it’s a direct competitor to the Panasonic Lumix LX5/Leica D-Lux 5, Canon S95 and Samsung EX1/TL500.

The new Olympus XZ-1. Picture © Olympus

Besides its impressively fast, “i.Zuiko”-branded, high-quality optics and large 10 mp sensor (which is possibly identical to that of the Panasonic LX5), the XZ-1 features an impressive 3″ OLED screen with 610k pixels resolution, allowing for a brilliant preview even in direct sunlight or from steep viewing angles. Like its direct competitor, the Canon S95, the Olypus XZ-1 features a control ring around its lens, which can be used to adjust different settings such as ISO value, aperture setting or shutter speed, depending on the shooting mode selected.

The XZ-1 also comes with the same new accessory port as the Olympus E-PL2, which means that you can use all the nifty accessory originally designed for the Micro Four Thirds system — yes, you can use the brilliant VF-2 viewfinder on this camera! Of course, the XZ-1 also shoots RAW.

Again, dpreview have already previewed it and are, as with the E-PL2, quite positive about it.

For more information on the two new Olympus models, please check 43rumors.com, who always have an exhaustive list of announcements, previews, reviews, opinions etc. once a new model is announced.