Olympus PEN E-PL1

The E-PL1 isn't fast enough to accurately capture moving subjects, but as a cheap entry into the Micro Four Thirds format it's a pretty good camera indeed.

More sensibly priced than earlier compact Micro Four Thirds cameras, the E-PL1 is a definite step in the right direction

The third generation Pen offers the distinct advantage of a built-in flash that will inevitably broaden the fledgling Micro Four Thirds range's appeal

The new-fangled Micro Four Thirds “semi-compact” digital camera system seems to be catching on, accounting for over 10% of interchangeable-lens camera sales in December last year, according to market-research firm Gfk. No surprise then that barely

The new Olympus Pen E-PL1 compact system camera is versatile but affordable

Olympus E-PL1 Review by Thom Hogan sansmirror.com

Able to deliver DSLR-quality imaging and still fit in a jacket pocket.

The body: build quality, controls and ports Based on the other Olympus PEN cameras, the E-PL1 is a Micro Four Thirds camera, measuring in at 12 megapixels. As with most mirrorless cameras, it somewhat defies logic; it’s a digital compact capable o

The Olympus E-PL1 is the latest in the line of PEN cameras, which prior models include the original E-P1 and the E-P2.  The E-PL1 is the first PEN camera targeted at and priced toward the consumer …

Small cameras with big sensors are set to be the future of photography - at least, that's what Olympus think as they introduce the E-PL1, their brand new PEN camera for the mass-market. Cheaper, smaller, lighter and easier to use than most rival models, the Olympus E-PL1 is firmly aimed at frustrated compact camera owners who crave more control and better results, but who are put off by bulky and complicated DSLRs. The full-featured E-PL1 should also appeal to experienced prosumers looking for a cheaper way into Micro Four Thirds. Read the World's first online Olympus E-PL1 review to find out if it strikes the right balance between affordability and functionality.

As one half of the Micro Four Thirds consortium, Olympus was one of the originators of the mirrorless interchangeable lens or system camera. In a little under two years, this new breed has established itself as a credible alternative both to compact cameras and DSLRs. However, while manufacturers regularly talk to us about watching and wanting to exploit the gap between these two established types of cameras, all the models released so far have tended towards the DSLR-end of that space. So far we've seen models from both Panasonic and Samsung that have aped the functionality, handling and even appearance of entry-level DLSRs, while the small, rangefinder-styled MILCs (The E-P1 and GF1) have still behaved like DSLRs without mirrors, rather than compact cameras with large sensors.

Olympus keeps pushing the PEN, obviously feeding a market need. Now we see an entry level Micro Four Thirds model – the Olympus PEN E-PL1 – that should satisfy the less well-heeled and tech-challenged photographers out there. It’s hard to deny the physical attractions of the new PEN: the review camera was resplendent in a […]

Olympus E-PL1 review, find out how the E-PL1 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

The first model in the 12.3-megapixel Olympus Pen series of interchangeable-lens compact cameras with a built-in pop-up flash.The Olympus Pen E-PL1 is a third-generation model in a series of cameras pioneered by Olympus with the aim of providing small, interchangeable-lens cameras with sensors significantly larger than those in digicams. While offering the same 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor, SSWF dust removal system and TruePic V image processor as the E-P2, the new model is smaller and lighter in construction, with an aluminium front panel and polycarbonate rear.

Review Date: August 15, 2010 Category: Beginner to Serious Amateur Executive Summary Image Quality Photo Gallery Handling & Feel User’s Experience QuickFact Sheet / Buy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …