Olympus E-PL1: first look

First Look of the Olympus E-PL1 from Deputy Editor, Mat
Gallagher


Olympus E-PL1 onsite small


The E-PL1 most importantly shows a
broadening of the Micro FourThirds range, rather than just a progression. It
offers a more affordable starting point to tempt people to upgrade from a
standard compact.


Olympus E-PL1 onsite small


The body of the camera is much squarer than
we’ve seen in the previous models and generally slightly smaller in size. The
back panel certainly looks simpler and is in part plastic as opposed to the
full metal finish, though still feels very sturdy in construction.


Olympus E-PL1 onsite small


The addition of a flash on this model is
certainly welcome; it sits hidden inside the body, and pops out of the top
panel, sitting extended at quite a height above the lens. Both the VF-2
electronic viewfinder and microphone adapter from the E-P2 are compatible with
the E-PL1, as is the optical viewfinder accessory.


Olympus E-PL1 onsite small


The Live Guide system is in keeping with
this camera’s focus towards users new to creative photography and names the
modes by their effect rather than in photo terms. Switch out of the i-Auto mode
and back into the creative modes, however, and this quick menu will revert to
the regular controls, making it still appealing to the more advanced user.

EPL1 first look

Editor, Nigel Atherton with the new Olympus E-PL1

  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Olympus E-PL1: first look
  3. 3. Olympus E-PL1: press release
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