Olympus PEN E-PL1
A chance to live the Olympus PEN dream for less cash is the lure here. But the original digital PEN was based on exceptional build quality and desirability, some of which has been lost in the cost-cutting process. Annoyingly, so has the thumb wheel on the back that was used for swift tweaks to aperture and other settings.
However, there’s much to like.There’s a built-in flash and picture quality is great, with a huge range of ISO settings letting you balance noise with shutter speed nicely. Alternatively, flipping the camera into auto, a scene mode or an ArtFilter delivers superb results in easy point-and-shoot fashion.
It’s a touch more taxing to use than older PENs (and most others here), although hitting the Start/OK button brings up a menu allowing for reasonably speedy adjustments. As with previous PENs, autofocus can be slow and there’s no AF tracking mode, so the E-PL1 isn’t the ideal tool for snapping unpredictably moving subjects (think pets and kids).
In-body image stabilization is areal bonus though, meaning that any lens you use, whether an official MFT lens or a different kind attached via an adapter, gets the advantage of anti-shake tech.
Flick the Mode dial to ArtFilters and you can choose between six in-camera effects, including grainy B&W, pinhole and tilt-shift style “Diorama”.
The screen Is one of the least impressive here, on par with that of the Pentax K-x, but an electronic viewfinder (the VF -2, around £200) can be added to the hotshoe.
Hardware controls on the E-PL1 are fairly minimal —only the NEX-5 has fewer in this company. This leads to some fiddliness when trying to change settings.
The world accordian to Olympus – The E-PL1′s 14-42mm kit lens is a tad plasticky, but concertinas to a tiny cylinder, adding to the camera’s compact appeal. An even tinier 17mm pancake lens is available.
Weighted in your favor – The body is made of plastic rather than the metal of its classier E-P1 and E-P2 siblings. It detracts from the premium feel but it’s more comfortable dangling from your neck.
Specification Details
- Megapixels 12.3
- Sensor type Micro Four Thirds
- Video 720p at 30fps
- ISO range 100 to 3200
- Screen 2.7-inch, 230,000 dots
Price £550
A chance to live the Olympus PEN dream for less cash is the lure here. But the original digital PEN was based on exceptional build quality and desirability, some of which has been lost in the cost-cutting process. Annoyingly, so has the thumb wheel on the back that was used for swift tweaks to aperture and other settings.
However, there’s much to like.There’s a built-in flash and picture quality is great, with a huge range of ISO settings letting you balance noise with shutter speed nicely. Alternatively, flipping the camera into auto, a scene mode or an ArtFilter delivers superb results in easy point-and-shoot fashion.
It’s a touch more taxing to use than older PENs (and most others here), although hitting the Start/OK button brings up a menu allowing for reasonably speedy adjustments. As with previous PENs, autofocus can be slow and there’s no AF tracking mode, so the E-PL1 isn’t the ideal tool for snapping unpredictably moving subjects (think pets and kids).
In-body image stabilization is areal bonus though, meaning that any lens you use, whether an official MFT lens or a different kind attached via an adapter, gets the advantage of anti-shake tech.
Flick the Mode dial to ArtFilters and you can choose between six in-camera effects, including grainy B&W, pinhole and tilt-shift style “Diorama”.
The screen Is one of the least impressive here, on par with that of the Pentax K-x, but an electronic viewfinder (the VF -2, around £200) can be added to the hotshoe.
Hardware controls on the E-PL1 are fairly minimal —only the NEX-5 has fewer in this company. This leads to some fiddliness when trying to change settings.
The world accordian to Olympus – The E-PL1′s 14-42mm kit lens is a tad plasticky, but concertinas to a tiny cylinder, adding to the camera’s compact appeal. An even tinier 17mm pancake lens is available.
Weighted in your favor – The body is made of plastic rather than the metal of its classier E-P1 and E-P2 siblings. It detracts from the premium feel but it’s more comfortable dangling from your neck.
Specification Details
- Megapixels 12.3
- Sensor type Micro Four Thirds
- Video 720p at 30fps
- ISO range 100 to 3200
- Screen 2.7-inch, 230,000 dots
Price £550
