Olympus PEN E-PL1 review
in Digital cameras
1 of 2 
Verdict
With more sensible pricing, the latest addition to the PEN range is a definite step in the right direction. Performance problems remain, however
Review Date: 18 Mar 2010
Reviewed By: David Fearon
Price when reviewed: £459 (£539 inc VAT)
Overall Rating
Features & Design
Value for Money
Performance
Image Quality
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Part Code | PEN E-PL1 |
| Review Date | 18 Mar 2010 |
| Price ex VAT | £459 |
| Price inc VAT | £539 |
| Overall rating |
|
| Performance |
|
| Features & Design |
|
| Image quality |
|
| Value for Money |
|
| Basic specifications | |
|---|---|
| Camera megapixel rating | 12.3mp |
| Camera screen size | 2.7in |
| Camera optical zoom range | 3x |
| Camera maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 |
| Weight and dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 478g |
| Dimensions | 114 x 80 x 74mm (WDH) |
| Battery | |
|---|---|
| Battery type included | Lithium-ion |
| Battery life (CIPA standard) | 500 shots |
| Charger included? |
|
| Other specifications | |
|---|---|
| Built-in flash? |
|
| Aperture range | f3.5 - f5.6 |
| Camera minimum focus distance | 0.25m |
| Shortest focal length (35mm equivalent) | 28 |
| Longest focal length (35mm equivalent) | 84 |
| Minimum (fastest) shutter speed | 1/4,000 |
| Maximum (slowest) shutter speed | 1 mins |
| Bulb exposure mode? |
|
| RAW recording mode? |
|
| Exposure compensation range | +/- 3EV |
| ISO range | 100 - 3200 |
| Selectable white balance settings? |
|
| Manual/user preset white balane? |
|
| Progam auto mode? |
|
| Shutter priority mode? |
|
| Aperture priority mode? |
|
| Fully auto mode? |
|
| Burst frame rate | 3.0fps |
| Exposure bracketing? |
|
| White-balance bracketing? |
|
| Memory-card type | SD, SDHC |
| Viewfinder coverage | N/A |
| LCD resolution | 230k |
| Secondary LCD display? |
|
| Video/TV output? |
|
| Body construction | Plastic |
| Tripod mounting thread? |
|
| Data connector type | Proprietary USB |
| Manual, software and accessories | |
|---|---|
| Full printed manual? |
|
| Software supplied | Olympus ib |
| Accessories supplied | None |
From around the web
User comments
Autofocus is still slow
So similarly priced GF1 looks like better value.
By Lomskij on 19 Mar 2010 
Compact
Given I already have a full size DSLR the perfect companion for me would be more like the DMC-LX3. Ok so you cannot change the lens but I'd be more likely to buy new glass for the SLR than the PEN if that was the choice.
I like the concept of the PEN, I just think there are better alternatives.
By pveater on 19 Mar 2010
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