Olympus Pen E-PL1

A compact with optical interchangeable, cheaper and easier then predecessors

Olympus is expanding its offer of compact micro 4 / 3 with the Pen E-PL1, a less expensive and easier.

Based on the same technical platform that Pen E-P1 and Pen E-P2Th, Pen E-PL1 is cheaper than its predecessors and easier to use with its ergonomic design modeled on the compact.

Olympus continues its advance in the field of optical compact interchangeable announcing the Pen E-PL1. Inspired  from Pen E-P1 and Pen E-P2, this new hybrid system is now targeting a wider clientele, less expert and less fortunate: 599 euros with the optical core, the public can begin to consider what kind of device.

Between the compact and SLR

For newcomers to the picture, these devices are the missing link of photography: resembling large compact devices Micro 4 / 3 have also interchangeable optics and sensors of the same size as those of SLR. Less bulky and almost as good as SLR. Or how to try to bring the best of both worlds.

Ergonomics public

The Pen E-PL1 is the consumer version of Micro Devices 4 / 3: Olympus has removed the wheel, dear experts and professionals to provide ergonomic replica of the compact. The internal software has also been completely redesigned for the general public, the options have been simplified and the jargon photo has been erased. In automatic mode assisted, we do not talk about openness, but of “blur” for successful portraits with background blur. Purists will cry scandal, but we do not care: they are not the target.

Proven Performance

In terms of features, though some options are clamped (the minimum exposure time increases from 1/4C000 for E-E-P1 and P2 1 / 2 000 for the Pen E-PL1, the burst is lower ), however the device is equipped with the same sensor and image processor the same as its larger brethren. It should therefore enjoy the same photographic performance. It is well fitted with a sensor Live MOS 12.3 MP mechanically stable, it shoots three frames per second in RAW (digital negative, better than Jpeg) and pushes the sensitivity up to ISO 3200. No compact can not compete with this kind of machine.

Micro 4 / 3: a format that develops

For skeptics, should be used. While initially the format Micro four thirds doubts were needed, they gradually fade as the manufacturers of devices out. Two of them, Olympus and Panasonic, have in fact agreed on the format and each offer three packages (G1, GH1 and GF1 Panasonic; Pen E-P1, P2 and E-E-PL1 for Olympus) and a panel of optical now well stocked (eleven in total between Panasonic, Olympus and Leica). The sustainability of a system is ever 100% guaranteed, but the micro 4 / 3 already offers a beautiful material substance.
The compact with interchangeable optics, industrialists believe in them: In addition to Olympus and Panasonic, the Korean giant Samsung Electronics has just launched its NX10Not consistent with the micro 4 / 3. For a minor player in the photo take such a risk, although there is growth on the horizon …

Exclusively, the best test of the Olympus Pen Cheap

We have been testing an early version of the compact interchangeable optical affordable Olympus Pen E-PL1.

The expectations

Announced soon, as soon martyred: the Pen E-PL1, which we’ve talked recently spent a few days in our hands fully functional. A device that incorporates all the ingredients of its big brothers … cheaper.

The test reality

Besides the novelty of the format Micro 4 / 3A brake on the adoption of Pen E-P1 and Pen E-P2, Optical compact interchangeable is undoubtedly the price. While the Pen E-P1 is dying to 600/700 euros, with its optical core and the Pen E-P2 is close to 1000 euros with the optical and electronic viewfinder, the E-PL1 is started at 600 euros – so fast cheapest on the net. A price more in line with the people-oriented format.

A flash for the Pen E-PL1

In the list of grievances that were fed to the location of E-E-P1 and P2, there was the lack of flash, which is clearly incompatible with a public position. All the more pity that the competition – Panasonic GF1 to name it – is equipped. The E-Pen PL1 corrects this error youth. It takes the same type of work like GF1 and comes in a small device that stands on the left top of the device. Simple and effective, it is especially practical for silent shadows in broad daylight.

Entry-level housing

The construction quality of the Pen E-PL1 is smaller than its bigger brothers: the shape is more coarse, the plastic is less qualitative, although still robust. The curves are less fine, the coating more cheap, but the unit is still under control and – most importantly – made from excellent photographs. The screen is also worse off: single LCD 230,000 pixels of at least average quality.

Same image quality as other

Less prestigious in its presentation, the Pen E-PL1, in the version in which we tested, delivers the same image quality than previous cases. Normal, since sensor and image processor are the same. If we were expecting more of the Pen E-P2 (which is only P1 Pen E-painted in black with a socket for electronic viewfinder), offer good performance of the Pen E-P1 and flexibility of the Micro Format 4 / 3 in a financially affordable housing is the great strength of this E-PL1. And if under scene modes that Pen E-P2 – incomprehensible choice but recurrent Olympus – it has done its office device. And especially since this was a first-release.

Simplified menus and scene modes

If he has the traditional modes P, A, S and M to satisfy the “pros” grumpy, the Pen E-PL1 board an automatic performance. Besides the recognition scenes, this mode offers mainly a configuration interface closest compact. But brightness, and heat blur the image. Concepts are simplified to make the purists scream, but who are welcome: we’re here on a consumer device. Simplify returns to make appropriated. Only small downside: navigation perfectible because we felt not necessarily intuitive. We deem it in the final version.
As for ways Black and White Pinhole or they are simply wonderful: the first provides a high contrast effect, very raw, as they could get the time of the film. The second transforms the scenes and gives them a real stamp. Proposing such filters do not have to shoot and then go through the computer.
HD video is of the same ilk as the previous models: good, but it takes more space on the memory card that films GF1 compressed AVCHD. Hopefully Olympus make it evolve in future cases.

Available from March to 599 euros with a view 14-42 mm F3 ,5-5, 6 (28-84 mm equivalent 24 x 36 mm), the Pen E-PL1 rushes into the groove and Panasonic Pentax offering four colors: champagne, white, black and red. Make your choice!

Review conclusions

One for the Micro Format 4 / 3 in which we believe, one for art, for the arrival of a flash, one for consumer ergonomics and effort invested by Olympus on price. Five stars for this Olympus which we fully satisfied. We will be sure to update this test at the availability of the new version.

Positive points

* The big potential in small compact SLR
* The interchangeable optical
* The lightweight (296 g naked)
* The interface and ergonomics thoughts for beginners
* The price for the tight format

Negative points

* Olympus would benefit from developing its own sensor and image processor

Specifications

Sensor format
4/3
Definition of sensor
12.3 Megapixel