Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Olympus PEN E-PL 1 Review


Analysis based on a production, PL-1, firmware v1.1

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

Strengthen to fill this void is the Olympus E-PL 1, a camera that brings a stripped-down body and simplified interface to the Micro Four Thirds format. This means that no control knobs (and therefore a lot of button-pressing farther from the automated exposure modes you adventure), but which also brings a results-oriented simple ' Live Help ' interface to allow you to take control of the i-Car for people happier to frame (sorry Mr Spacey).

Its simplified interface dictates press key based that will be most suited to compact camera users who want to get the best photos and learn about things like openings in their time. Advanced users who wish to regularly to take control of individual shooting parameters are likely to find themselves frustrated by the sheer amount of button-pressing induced by the loss of control dials.

Cost savings, which extend at a lower cost, plastic mount version of the collapsible lens kit 14-42 mm, mean that E-PL 1 arrives on the market with a suggested retail price some $ 200 (or € 150) below that of the E-P1. The body gets styling cues from the E-P1, mix with hints of fondly remembered ' C ' series of high-end compacts. Also the Unit SI has been simplified, with the company claiming only 3 stops of compensation, rather than the 4 ascribed to E-P 2.

However, it would be a mistake to assume from this that specifies E-PL 1 is trivial-even if the body, screen, lens and interface have been pared-back, there are a couple of areas where this model entry-level/beginners model trumps the finest pen and more expensive. Most obvious is the addition of a built-in flash, which was one of the most glaring omissions from the E-P1 and EP-2. There is also a revised version of the TruePix V image processor, which has been optimized to take account of the lightweight low-pass/anti-aliasing filter fitted in this model. L1 also offers the EVF/accessory port underneath the flash hot-shoe-a feature it shares with the E-P 2 and absent from the E-P1.

12 megapixel Four Thirds size sensorIn-body image stabilization (with claimed 3-stop efficiency) simplified ' Live Help ' interface2.7 "LCD display (230 k dots) embedded flashDirect record the movie HD video button720p (CDU) ISO 100-32006 ' Art Filter ' creative effectsAccessory brings for Add-ons such as the electronic viewfinder

Although the EPL-1 is a camera less expensive than E-P 2 that sits above it, it gives a lot of land to his brother in terms of specifications. The main differences are the interface more compact-camera-like (and the knobs of the loss of control), the simplified construction, less sophisticated image stabilization system and the addition of built-in flash.

No control dials vs 2 on E-P 2Built-in flash (external flash only at E-P 2) mainly plastic body with the front of the aluminium skined (stainless steel and alloys for E-P 2) with image stabilization claimed 3 stop advantage vs 4 stops for movie recording button and-P 2Direct vs. film as position on E-P 2 dialMono mic mode with ability to add stereo using built-in stereo adapter vs micsMaximum shutter speed sec to 1/2000th, VS/4000th.


If you're new to digital photography, you can read the digital photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help to understand some of the terms used).

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