Olympus PEN E-PM2

The PEN E-PM2 is a mirrorless camera Olympus launched in 2012 for the Micro Four Thirds system. At 269g and 110 x 64 x 34mm, it suits photographers who want interchangeable lenses without the bulk of a DSLR.

That makes it an easy camera to carry for travel and everyday photography. The Micro Four Thirds mount lets you swap lenses to match the subject, so the camera adapts from one outing to the next.

Owning one involves a few compromises from its era. You frame every shot on the rear screen because there is no viewfinder, and if you need flash you fit an external unit, since none is built in.

Its Optics score of 55 is modest, placing the E-PM2 around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. At the heart is a 16.1 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS handled by the TruePic VI processor.

In-body stabilisation is the standout. It reduces camera shake with any lens you mount, primes and zooms alike, which makes slower handheld shutter speeds usable. It steadies your hands, not a moving subject.

The maximum burst rate of 8fps lets you capture a quick sequence of fleeting moments like a bird taking off. Shutter speed tops out at 1/4000s, a ceiling that can constrain wide apertures in strong light.

The remaining specifications are more basic. Sensitivity runs from ISO 200 to 25600, the autofocus system has 35 points, and there is no viewfinder, so composition always happens on the screen.

The video score of 43 is modest, and the recording limits explain why. Resolution tops out at Full HD and the maximum frame rate is 30fps, figures that cover everyday clips but leave little margin for cropping or slow-motion work.

There is no built-in timelapse mode, so the camera will not shoot interval sequences by itself. Any time-lapse project needs another way to trigger frames.

Footage records in MOV or AVI, so there are two file formats for your clips.

While recording you frame and check focus on the fixed rear LCD. It does not tilt or flip away from the body, and its 460,000 dots are adequate for framing, if not for critical checks.

The 3-inch touchscreen is a strong point, and both it and live view earn full marks within the features score of 49. Tapping to change settings on the LCD keeps day-to-day shooting direct.

The screen itself is fixed in place and shows 460,000 dots, which is enough for framing without giving a very detailed view for checking critical focus.

There is no built-in flash, but an external flash can be fitted when you need extra light.

Connectivity is minimal, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so there are no wireless transfers or in-camera location tagging. The body also lacks weather sealing, so it is best kept out of rain and dust.

The E-PM2 records to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so high-capacity cards are available for a long day of shooting.

Its Storage & Battery score of 21 is limited, and the reasons are practical. There is only one card slot, so there is no second card recording a copy of your frames as insurance on an important shoot.

The BLS-5 battery is rated at 360 shots, a specification figure rather than a guarantee of real-world endurance, so a spare battery is a sensible addition for a full day out.

There is no USB charging, so you cannot top the battery up from a USB cable. If you shoot for long stretches, keeping a charged spare becomes part of the routine.