Olympus E-P2 is an "enticing package"

The latest compact digital SLR camera from Olympus, named the E-P2, is an "enticing package" with an aluminium and stainless steel body, according to a new review.

According to T3, it sports a look not a million miles away from the classic PEN series of cameras from the 1960s and the 12.3-megapixel gadget is a refinement of the E-P1 rather than a technological advance of its predecessor.

With Olympus pushing this series of cameras for those itching to take professional shots but intimidated by SLRs, the E-P2 builds on the previous E-PL1 and E-P1. There are two new digital effect features, Diorama and Cross Process, which are "fun" but do take longer to save to the SD and SDHC card, the website said.

The optical viewfinder has been replaced by a top mounted electronic viewfinder (EVF) which can be tilted through 90 degrees, allowing the user to glance down and making it brilliant for low-angle shots.

With the i-Enhance setting feature to boost saturation, the E-P2 takes sharp warmly toned pictures just short of DSLR quality as well as "crystal clear" HD video with stereo sound.