New Olympus E-PL1 PEN launches in March

The E-PL1 sticks to the foundations of the mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Sytem PEN series – small, light-weight and stylish – but brings a selection of new features:

• Simple, non-technical Live Guide with direct control over key image effects
• One touch video button
• Integrated flash
• 6 Art Filters for stills and movies
• 4 colours to choose from: black, white, champagne, red

Like the E-P1, the E-PL1 uses a 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor to capture images and HD movies. The AVI format is the choice for HD movies here, with up to 7 minutes of 1280x720p footage at 30fps capable of being captured in a single shot. The 6 Art Filters can be used to add creative effects to both HD films and photos. The options include a new Gentle Sepia filter for that tasteful vintage look.

Olympus is keen to push the benefits of the new Live Guide system of the E-PL1, which is designed to make challenging SLR effects accessible to all through the push of a button. As Olympus puts it:. "the new Live Guide speaks plain language, making it easier than ever to change difficult SLR camera effects like depth of field. These can then be monitored on the 2.7” HyperCrystal LCD. i-Enhance, for example, makes sure all colours in your picture spectrum are vivid and rich. It is automatically applied in conjunction with i-Auto mode, which recognises what kind of scene or subject you’re taking and adjusts settings accordingly, or can be used alone. And e-Portrait gives your subjects a quick facelift by glossing over impurities."

For many photographers, the fact that the new PEN comes in black and finally includes a built-in flash is likely to be enough of a draw! However, new lenses are always welcome – and two new Micro Four Thirds lenses will be available soon after the E-PL1 becomes available. The lightweight ultra-wide angle M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 (18-36mm equivalent) and M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 (28-300mm equivalent) zooms are 50 and 70% smaller (compared to the 18-180mm volume) than similar lenses in the Four Thirds range. They're said to achieve less noise as well as greater autofocus speeds.

Like the E-P2, the E-PL1 features an accessory port to extend the camera's functionality, such as attaching the VF-2 electronic viewfinder or Microphone Adapter Set – if you intend to do serious HD movie work you'll need the latter to enable high quality stereo sound capture.

Olympus highlights the following official specifications and features for the E-PL1:
Small & stylish design
• Extremely small and light-weight Micro Four Thirds System
• Stylish design with metal finish
• Four colours
 
SLR image quality
• 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
• TruePic V image processor
• Built-in IS with max. 3 EV steps efficiency
• Adapter for all ZUIKO DIGITAL & OM lenses

Easy operation
• New developed GUI for easiest operation via Live Control
• Live Guide
• Automatic recognition of common scenes possible with i-Auto
•  i-Enhance function to boost colours
• Clear skin with e-Portrait
• AF Tracking
• Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology
• 25 shooting modes (5 exposure modes, i-Auto mode, 19 scene modes)

Creativity & HD Movie
• HD Movie with sound, depth of field and Art Filters
• 6 Art Filters, Multi-Aspect ratios
• Multi Exposure function
• Art Filters can be applied to previously taken RAW images in the camera and with Olympus software
• Enhanced creativity with special lenses e.g. fisheye is available via Four Thirds lens adapter

Additional features of the Olympus PEN:
• Integrated flash
• HDMI TV interface
• Linear PCM sound recording
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface
• 3fps with sequential shooting (max. 10 in RAW mode)
• ISO 100-3200
• Bracketing functions for white balance and exposure
• Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system
• Wide dynamic range in highly lit areas
• Simultaneous writing of RAW and JPEG
• SD memory card (SDHC compatible)
• High-speed data writing and lossless RAW compression
• Large 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal LCD
• AE/AF lock functionality
• Auto gradation adjustment to prevent blown highlights and blocked-in shadows
• Remote release possible via the optional remote cable RM-UC1

Olympus PEN E-PL1 configurations:
•    E-PL1 Kit in: black/black, champagne/silver, white/silver, red/black
(E-PL1 body & M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6)
•    E-PL1 Double Lens Kit in: black/black/black, white/silver/black, champagne/silver/black
(E-PL1 body & M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 &
 ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150 mm 1:4.0-5.6 & MMF-2)
•    E-PL1 Body in: black, white and champagne

New accessories:
•    PT-EP01 underwater case
•    M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 ultra-wide angle zoom (late April)
•    M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 wide-angle to telephoto zoom (late May)