Olympus PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS

Olympus PEN E-PL1 12.3MP
Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens

What do you get when you take Olympus PEN and mix it with a stripper (Of course I mean someone who strips features from a camera). You get the E-PL1 camera which is a little bit of a diverse bag. On the one hand you have one of the best versions of the m4/3 antenna to court. From what I have read it is better than, both the E-P1 and E-P2 sensors. It is hard to tell the difference at normal divider and printing resolutions and I take a picture at its entirety and doesn't pixel twitter so I cannot verify that. What I can say is this camera is qualified of producing world seminar similes. Additionally, this camera has the Olympus JPEG engine which is regarded in the company as one of the best. This camera is also relatively small and light and includes a satiate glisten. Additionally, it has vision stabilization (IS) built into the camera. It is not pocketable and the mass of this camera has more to do with the lens that it is wearing then the actual camera itself.

On the other hand, you have a camera that is thick to focus. It appears to me that it zooms to infinity (and outside) and then catches the focus on its way back in. If you are pleasing films of evermore-in-shift kids you can be clearly you will forget fairly a few positive moments. Additionally, the camera lacks the most important camera regulate there is. This is the organize sweep worn to change exposure, orifice, and secure settings in a nimble able conduct. Instead the camera uses buttons which is a clumsy way of making these changes. Most higher end Point and Shoot (P+S) cameras have some story of this contain veer. I think someone transitioning to this camera from a DSLR or high end P+S will be frustrated by this. I've seen this payable as a good thing as there are minus joystick to get puzzled over. That may be so but all m4/3 cameras can be used as goal and wound by just custody in the intelligent Auto (iA) form. This simplifies the menu options and takes great cinema maturity of the time.

I think for someone who needs to stride up from a P+S to take better Image Quality films but tactics to lodge in the iA approach 90% of the time, then this camera will complete you well and will take some amazing imagery.

Anyone, who has a E-P1or E-P2 who want the sensors with a weaker Anti-Aliasing filter (i.e. less specify flummoxed to the AA filter) and a pervade blaze will have this camera for the IQ but will perhaps be frustrated with the injury of the restraint sweep

Anyone moreover stepping up from a high end P+S such as the LX3, S90, or G11 will be impressed with the similes, but not blown away by the difference, unimpressed with the P+S focus performance, and frustrated in the P, A, S or M shooting modes. Additionally, you will be unimpressed with the superior volume of the camera but will enjoy the flexibility if your funds include other lenses.

Anyone, getting this as a minute stock around camera to a DSLR, will be exultant with the slighter mass and burden but gloomy with the slower performance. And frustrated by the clumsy gearshift but cheerful with the film capabilities.
If you don't necessary or want the cassette, don't brain IS in the lens instead of the camera, and can put up with a small decline in you IQ, ISO, and JPEG performance, then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Red) offers many upgrades at the same charge (Integrated 1.4mp EVF, Swivel Screen, 460k select, Grip for bigger lenses, quicker focus performance, etc.)

For the same price, the newly announced G10 matches the E-PL1 with record, and new processing engine (annoyed your fingers for a JPEG improvement). Additionally, it has a 2kp EVF (I'm not reliable how effective that will be), a grip, a restrain swing, a 1/4000 close race and earlier focus performance. It does not have in-camera IS.

For those expecting getting the EVF at some advantage or with an ~$200 superior budget, verify out the newly announced G2. Take the G1, add 720P 60/50fps film, an enhanced processing engine, a new dial to change focusing modes, converge monitor controls that look to work as polished as an iPhone, and touch show focus, and you have a genuinely really good chubby featured camera.
Here is a fast and soil incline of pros and cons of the E-PL1

Pros:

 - The best Olympus implementation of the m4/3 sensor

 - One of the best JPEG engines in the subject

 - Relatively small and light

 - Built in show

 - In camera Image Stabilization (IS)

 - Price (The cheapest m4/3 yet)

 - Optional EVF (A very kind 1.4mp piece but very pricy at $279)

 - Its vacant

 - Nice construct condition

Cons

 - Slow Auto-focus (Panasonic has this figured out. Olympus, not so much)

 - Missing Control Wheel slows down orifice, shutter, and exposure changes

 - Only 230k check?!

 - 1/2000 shutter race?! A lot of P+S go to 1/4000

 - Locking lens is maddening to organize and cram

Overall

A competent and nice camera that will take stunning similes. Slow autofocus and clunky controls will make this camera frustrating to many people.