Olympus E-PL1: press release

Hamburg, 3 February 2010 – In today’s world you’ve got
to give the people what they want. And they’re going to want the new Olympus

E-PL1. Not only does it deliver extraordinary digital images, it’s the perfect
tool for anyone who hesitated to buy SLRs because they find them too
complicated. The possibilities are virtually endless with this easy to use
retro-cool model. With great features like HD movie
shooting and impressive Art Filters, you too can
take exceptional pictures. Its 100% stabilised body even lets
you shoot blur-free with all lenses. Combining SLR
performance and a lightweight design, PEN lets you create
exciting, innovative shots, preserving those moments in life you want captured
forever. The ultimate democratising force in quality photography, the E-PL1 is
available from March 2010 at a retail price of just £549 for the single lens
kit.

 

The high-tech mirrorless construction of the PEN means it’s small and handy
to use, yet it produces ‘big camera’ results. That’s the genius of the

E-PL1, now fine-tuned
with these new features:

 

• 
  Easy to understand, non-technical Live Guide
• 
  4 bold colours to choose from: black, white, champagne, red
• 
  6 intriguing Art Filters
• 
  Convenient integrated flash

 

Rewriting the rulebook

A hybrid of SLR performance
embodying the latest technologies and compact comfort, PEN constitutes a new class of camera. The E-PL1 with integrated flash
houses a 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor, producing beautiful, razor-sharp
photos and HD movies, and the TruePic V engine guarantees
superior image quality at up to ISO 3200. Mechanical in-camera image
stabilisation provides shake protection of up to 3 EV, effective regardless
which lens you decide to use. The high definition AVI format movie
option is available at 30fps and 1280x720p resolution – recording up to 7
minutes of film in a single shot. And all this top drawer technology comes in a
neat pocket-sized camera.

 

Helping you take your best photos 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. With the abundance of supportive features and
excellent technology, feeling like a pro is a given.

 

Draw your own creative conclusions

Whether in the form of a high quality movie or an
image, the Olympus

E-PL1 helps you capture
the outside world while setting free the imaginative world within. Select from
a range of six Art Filters to compose your own creative images or HD films: for
instance Pop Art lets you warp it like Warhol, and the
new Gentle Sepia gives images a touch of class. Use
AF tracking to focus shots on one moving subject or
do something with your movies normal camcorders won’t allow: play with depth of
field and angle of view for atmospheric movie shooting and snap in high
resolution during shoots for spontaneous stills. Further widening the
expressive spectrum of options is the Micro Four Thirds system.
It facilitates a range of interchangeable lenses and can be extended through
the use of adapters. Brand new are the ultra-wide angle M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED
9-18mm F4.0-5.6 (18-36mm*) and M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6
(28-300mm*) zoom lenses. These ultra-light lenses are 50 and 70% smaller (compared
to the 18-180mm volume) than their Four Thirds cousins and achieve less noise
as well as greater AF speeds. Ideally suited to the PEN body, they capture
unique pictures and movies without weighing down your bag. They will be
available in late April and late May.

 

The accessory port offers even more imaging
alternatives, such as attaching the VF-2 electronic viewfinder or Microphone Adapter
Set, which is ideal to record high quality stereo sound in movies. When the
work is done, relax and admire your handiwork from the sofa with a remote by
connecting your camera to your TV via HDMI.

 

Fun camera, serious results

The E-PL1 is a quintessentially inclusive photographic tool: making it easier even
for beginners to join the big leagues of quality movie and photo shooting. Available in March 2010, you
can pick up your PEN in a choice of four colours
for a recommended retail price of €599[CG1] .

 

 

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 – main features:

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

 

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is available in the
following 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)

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 [CG1]Pls adjust to suit local requirements