Olympus PEN E-P1 Makes DSLR Quality Portable

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digicamreview.com/olympus_pen_e-p1_dslr_review.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.digicamreview.com/olympu...dslr_review.htm</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The camera features a 12 megapixel live view anti-shake sensor, a 3" screen, 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 1280 &times; 720 HD 30fps video recording with stereo sound, art filters, multiple exposures, shadow adjustment, a metal body and is available with a 14-42mm kit lens or 17mm pancake lens. The Olympus PEN E-P1 is available for around &pound;699 with the 14-42mm kit lens as tested here. The camera is enclosed in a metal body and is available in silver or white. The camera measures approx. 120.5 x 70 x 35 mm (excluding protrusions), and weighs approx. 335g. excluding lens, battery and memory card."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1247249052.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>DigiCam Review has decided to take the curious EP-1 and see if its new and "innovative" design could really stand up against proper DLSRs.&nbsp; After putting the quasi-DSLR through the gauntlet, the EP-1 emerges victorious, meeting all the hopes and dreams of photographers everywhere!&nbsp; Well, maybe it isn't groundbreaking, but the EP-1 definitely is a step forward since DSLRs have traditionally been large, bulky affairs.&nbsp; Granted, the smaller camera body is only slightly helpful, since since over time, you will find you have a collection of lenses and other toys that just had to be bought, but a lighter load, especially while taking pictures, is appreciated, especially when you do not have to sacrifice image quality or features.&nbsp; The EP-1 is likely going to be one of those cameras that marks a shift in the industry.&nbsp; It probably will never completely replace the DSLR with its design, but it will definitely make the market more accessible and palatable to photo bugs!</p>

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I've handled an E-P1 twice already... I can't say I like its handling very much. Feels like a brick, handles like one. It's chunky but not ergonomic. And I feel its control layout is a bit out of place for me...

[Jason Dunn]

The design is just too 1984 for my tastes...nice to see they put a good sensor in there though. Why did they have to make it so ugly...? :confused:

[Janak Parekh]

Yes, but the size is hard to beat, and the early reviews suggest that the quality is better than expected. I'm all over this. I'm planning to get one as soon as the pancake lens is available (well, I plan on getting both of the associated Micro 4/3rds lenses, but the pancake one would be great for casual settings, and it's impressively thin).

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

The design is just too 1984 for my tastes...nice to see they put a good sensor in there though. Why did they have to make it so ugly...? :confused: That's what I thought, too, when I saw the pics. But most of the reviewers think it looks awesome. Maybe they harken back to the old days?

--janak

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

It's not even nice retro. Just ugly retro.