Olympus has just launched the E-PL1, the third camera to fall under the brand’s PEN line of Micro Four Thirds cams. It sports a 12.3MP sensor that’s pretty much the same as the existing E-P1 and E-P2 models, but trumps its two more expensive siblings—at least for casual photographers—by adding a built-in pop-up flash that leaves the hot shoe available for other accessories (like an external flash or optical viewfinder).
Advanced performance without the bulk for $600? Sign us up!
In case you think the $600 price point is a bit too much for something that isn’t a full DSLR, it’s actually a very good deal for a Micro Four Thirds cam; probably the best deal you can find if you’re looking for DSLR-like performance in a compact package. It’s definitely way cheaper than the $800 E-P1 or $1,100 E-P2, but features the same sensor, body-based image stabilization tech, RAW shooting, 720p HD video recording, manual controls, and motion-tracking autofocus.
So what features did it drop? To cut costs, the E-PL1 sports a slightly smaller 2.7-inch LCD, and omits the manual scroll dial found on the other models. It also comes without the digital level feature, detachable EVF, and is built with an aluminum-based body that’s cheaper than the all-metal shells on the more high-end kits.
It’s pretty beginner-friendly, with a new Live Guide feature that gives helpful tips and easily-understandable options (instead of leaving beginners to deal with F-stops and shutter speeds) to get you the shot settings you want. For photographers looking for more “artsy” compositions, the E-PL1 comes with new Art Filters that include a new filter called “Gentle Sepia” to get that old-photo look. Other filters include Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pin Hole, Grainy Film and Diorama.
The $600 bundle will get you the basic package that includes the cam’s 14-42mm (28-84mm equivalent) zoom lens when it sells in March. Other kit options (to be launched after) include a $700 package that includes a 9-18mm (18-36mm) f4.0-5.6 wide angle lens and an $800 kit that includes an all-around 14-150mm (28-300mm) f4.0-5.6 lens.
Tags: Digital Cameras, Micro Four Thirds, Olympus, Olympus PEN Digital
