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Olympus PEN E-P1

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How it works?
  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
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  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
3.9
based on all reviews
User ratings:
38
4.0 out of 5
38 user ratings
5 stars
31 %
4 stars
42 %
3 stars
23 %
2 stars
2 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
27
  1. See more
3.7 out of 5
13 user ratings
5 stars
15 %
4 stars
46 %
3 stars
38 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • image quality was and remains overwhelmingly positive
  • new ways of thinking
  • new connections

Cons

  • doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones
  • and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down
  • Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images

Key specs

  • Live MOS
  • Four Thirds
  • 17.3x13 mm
  • 12 Mpx
  • 4032, 3024 px
  • Micro Four Thirds
  • Continuous, Single
  • 3.0 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Olympus

Olympus PEN E-P1 - Pros & Cons

Olympus PEN E-P1

Pros

  • image quality was and remains overwhelmingly positive
  • new ways of thinking
  • new connections
  • and new industries
  • Solid
  • comfortable feel in the hand
  • Panasonic also offers similarly well regarded lenses
  • Image quality on the whole is very good to excellent
  • Simple
  • elegant
  • purposeful- kind of

Cons

  • doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones
  • and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down
  • Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images
  • in-body image stabilization
  • lacks a built-in viewfinder of any sort
  • lack of flash and viewfinder will put some off
  • Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic
  • Olympus E-P1 have Image Stabilization
  • doesn't have a viewfinder and no option for external viewfinder
  • Does the Olympus E-P1 have Weather Sealing
  • too much color noise

Olympus PEN E-P1 - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
6400
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
12 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4032 x 3024 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Olympus - Video Reviews (7)

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Olympus PEN E-P1 - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeLive MOS
Image sensor formatFour Thirds
Sensor size0.68 in
Sensor photo detectors13.0 Mpx
Effective pixels12.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h
  • 1:1
  • 4:3
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Max resolution4032 x 3024 px
Other resolutions
  • 3200x2400
  • 1600x1200
  • 1280x960
  • 1024x768
  • 640x480
ProcessorTruePic V
Icon
Optics and focus
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds
Optical zoom3.0 x
Focus adjustmentManual
Focal length multiplier2x
Autofocus
  • Continuous
  • Single
Auto Focus (AF) lockyes
Manual focusyes
Auto Focus (AF) assist beamyes
Number of focus points11
Filter diameter1.59 in
Icon
Photography features
Camera shutter typeElectronic
Minimum shutter speed60.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus3
Exposure compensation minus-3
Expousure compensation steps
  • 1/2
  • 1/3
  • 1
AE EV steps
  • 1/3
  • 1/2
  • 2/3
  • 1
Continuous shootingyes
Self-timer delay2.0 s
Histogramyes
AE frames3
WB Bracketing
Yes
Subject / scene modesyes
Built-in flashyes
Flash modes
  • Auto
  • Fill-in Flash
  • Manual
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flashyes
Continuous drive3.0 fps
Scene modes
  • Beach
  • Children
  • Close-up
  • Documents
  • Panorama
  • Portrait
  • Sports
  • Landscape
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 12
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Voice recordingyes
Icon
Dimensions
Weight11.82 oz
Width4.75 in
Height2.75 in
Depth1.44 in
Icon
Power
Battery life (CIPA)300
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Number of batteries supported1
Icon
Other features
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
Calendaryes
Frameyes
Languages supportRUS
Image editing modes
  • Resizing
  • Rotating
  • Trimming
Icon
Image
ISOAuto
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum100
ISO maximum6400
Maximum image resolution4032 x 3024 px
White balance presets5
White balance modes
  • Cloudy
  • Daylight
  • Fluorescent
Custom white balanceyes
Photo effects
  • Black&White
  • Neutral
  • Sepia
  • Vivid
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeSensor-shift
Supported aspect ratios4:3
Uncompressed formatRAW
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDno
Screen technologyLCD
Screen dots230000
Touch screenno
Field of view100.0 %
Live viewyes
ViewfinderOptical
Viewfinder magnification7.0 x
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1280 x 720 px
Video recordingyes
HD typeHD
Supported video file formatsAVI
Camera playback
  • Movie
  • Single image
  • Slide show
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeSLR
Body materialMetal
Colour of product
  • Black,Silver
  • Silver,White
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
Maximum memory card size4.0 GB
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
Icon
Connectivity
Mini HDMI type-Cyes
HDMI ports quantity1
USB version2.0
DC-in jackyes
Remote controlyes

Olympus PEN E-P1 - Q&A

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Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus - Editorial Reviews (27)

3.7
Based on 27 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1
Trusted Reviews logo
Trusted Reviews
Published: 25.07.2009
Olympus Pen E-P1
3.5

The Olympus Pen E-P1 is not an SLR, it?s not a compact, but it sure is pretty

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1 Review | Best4Reviews.com
best4reviews.com logo
best4reviews.com
Olympus Pen E-P1 Review | Best4Reviews.com

The latest Olympus camera is a neat little package for the enthusiast snapper and those wanting a quality interchangeable lens camera without the bulk of a DSLR, and it looks a cracker too.

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1 review
Alphr logo
Alphr
Published: 07.10.2009
Olympus PEN E-P1 review
4.0

Various manufacturers have tried to resurrect the concept of the old 35mm rangefinder over the past few years. None have been wildly successful and all have been very expensive. The idea of a digital rangefinder-style camera is to bring

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1 digital camera
Pocket-lint logo
Pocket-lint
Published: 13.07.2009
Olympus Pen E-P1 digital camera
4.5

We were won over by the image quality and that at the end of the day is probably the single most important factor and so makes this a camera one we

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1 with 14-42mm lens review
Expert Reviews logo
Expert Reviews
Published: 21.09.2009
Olympus Pen E-P1 with 14-42mm lens review
3.0

Could have been great, but at this price we wouldn't be prepared to live with its weaknesses.

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1
Photo Review logo
Photo Review
Published: 17.02.2012
Olympus Pen E-P1
4.3

Olympus's first Micro Four Thirds camera targets the gap between digicams and DSLRs for serious photographers and also supports HD video recording.The Olympus Pen E-P1 is the third Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera to reach the market and is quite different from the Panasonic G-series models that preceded it. Capitalising on the heritage of the popular 'Pen' series cameras, which were launched 50 years ago, it comes with a Four Thirds format, 12.3-megapixel (effective) Live MOS image sensor that supports both still and HD video capture.

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1 digital camera (dual lens kit)
Good Gear Guide logo
Good Gear Guide
Olympus Pen E-P1 digital camera (dual lens kit)
4.3

This compact digital camera has interchangeable lenses but it's not a conventional SLR

Olympus PEN E-P1 The best DSLR cameras in 2023
Tom's Guide logo
Tom's Guide
Published: 25.09.2022
The best DSLR cameras in 2023
4.0

Here are the best DSLR cameras selling for less than $2,000, including top picks for beginners, hobbyists and video shooters.

Olympus PEN E-P1 Gadling gear review - Olympus E-P1 - the second week - Gadling
Gadling logo
Gadling
Published: 01.07.2009
Gadling gear review - Olympus E-P1 - the second week - Gadling

It has been two weeks since I first got my hands on the gorgeous Olympus E-P1, and I think the time has come to give my honest opinion of how this retro Micro Four Thirds camera performs in some day to day photo work. As I mentioned in the previous reviews (Introduction and “the basics“), the E-P1 shoots in 12.3MP and the version I have comes with the M.Zukio Digital 14-42mm lens. I also have the matching retro flash. Lets go over the good and the bad with the Olympus E-P1. We’ll start with the good: Quick startup time and fast power-on till first photo. Sure, this won’t be as quick as some P&S cameras, but it is still ...

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P1 In-depth Review
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 29.07.2009
Olympus Pen E-P1 In-depth Review
3.3

From the OM system 35mm SLRs and lenses to the XA series rangefinders and the half-frame Pen models, Olympus has for at least half a century been notable for producing cameras that are smaller than their competitors without sacrificing quality or functionality. And they haven't stopped; the E-450 and its predecessors are still the world's smallest digital SLRs, and the new E-620 is considerably smaller than similarly specified competitors (finally realizing the 'smaller format, smaller camera' promise we were all sold on when Four Thirds originally launched).

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus’ E-P1; The Return Of The Olympus Pen
Shutterbug logo
Shutterbug
Published: 01.01.2010
Olympus’ E-P1; The Return Of The Olympus Pen

“The object of photography is to express what is in your heart and mind.”—Yoshihisa Maitani, designer of the Olympus Pen camera

Olympus PEN E-P1 Review: Olympus Pen E-P1
The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald
Published: 01.10.2009
Review: Olympus Pen E-P1

This 12.3-megapixel camera is the company's first “micro four thirds” compact. Internally, it is essentially the same as the Olympus E-620 SLR but the mirror-prism viewfinder has been removed.

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus E-P1 Review | Photography Blog
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photographyblog.com
Published: 13.07.2009
Olympus E-P1 Review | Photography Blog
4.5

The Olympus E-P1 brings together the image quality and interchangeable lenses of a digital SLR, the video capability of a camcorder, and the size and portability of a point and shoot, all in one compact package. The first Micro Four Thirds model from Olympus is inspired by the popular 1950's PEN series of film cameras, but is very much a product of the new millennium, offering a wealth of up-to-date must-have features. Mark Goldstein finds out if the E-P1 really is all the camera you will ever need in our latest expert review.

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1 Review
Digital Photography School logo
Digital Photography School
Published: 28.10.2009
Olympus PEN E-P1 Review

We knew it was coming but it still surprised many when Olympus threw away the last vestiges of a single lens reflex camera in a digital snapper that otherwise could have been called a DSLR. Into the new PEN went the 4/3rds inch Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor. Out went the mirror box. Onto

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus E-P1 Review
Photography Bay logo
Photography Bay
Published: 27.08.2009
Olympus E-P1 Review

The Olympus E-P1 is the first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus.  The new E-P1 features a 12.3 megapixel sensor and offers users the ability to switch lenses.  It has no mirror box between the …

Often compared with Olympus PEN E-P1