February 3rd, 2010 The Olympus E-PL1 is the third model in the Olympus PEN series of 'Micro Four Thirds System' interchangeable lens digital cameras. It's predecessors, the Olympus PEN E-P1 and E-P2, introduced last year, were widely acclaimed for their light, compact form, distinctive design, and good image quality.

Featuring a new interface specifically designed to be more friendly to compact camera users, the new Olympus E-PL1 is an entry-level model that makes PEN series photographic quality accessible to an even wider range of consumers than before. For imaging, the E-PL1 employs a 4/3-inch, 12.3-megapixel high speed Live MOS Sensor and TruePic V image processing engine that are designed to deliver quality that rivals that of digital SLR systems.

In addition to delivering high-quality photos with full-auto ease, the E-PL1 features a new Live Guide interface that makes it easy for users to exercise their creativity. With the Live Guide, even users who have only used point-and-shoot cameras can easily and intuitively adjust brightness, hue, background defocusing, and other image parameters—and get the results they want without learning a lot of SLR-class photographic techniques.

Light, compact, Micro Four Thirds System design and a built-in flash assure an easy transition for first-time interchangeable lens camera users. A choice of black, champagne gold, and blue body colors (North America) are also being offered to suit a broader range of customer preferences.

New features include a dedicated Movie mode button that enables 720p HD movie recording at a moment's notice, and i-Enhance Picture mode (originally introduced on the E-P2), which delivers images with exceptional clarity and heightened realism that fully communicate the excitement of the moment.

Six Art Filters are also offered, including a new Gentle Sepia filter, and they can be applied to movies as well as still-image shooting. Like the E-P2, the E-PL1 is equipped with an accessory port that can be used to attach a high-definition VF-2 Live Viewfinder or SEMA-1 Stereo Microphone Set 1.

Olympus E-PL1 Major Features:

12.3 Megapixel Sensor: The Olympus E-PL1 features a 12.3 megapixel Live-MOS sensor packs a powerful high-quality imaging punch for such a compact camera, allowing you to capture more detail than ever before. The Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity and fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

In-body Image Stabilization: The Olympus E-PL1’s three-mode In-body Image Stabilization system compensates for up to three shutter speed steps in the still shooting modes with any of its interchangeable lenses: Mode 1 for general shooting, Mode 2 for creative high-speed horizontal capture, and Mode 3 for high-speed vertical capture.

The camera's Mechanical Image Stabilization automatically compensates for camera shake in low-light situations or when using a telephoto lens. In the Movie Modes the advanced Electronic Image Stabilization tracts the images both vertically and horizontally to achieve clear sharp movies, matching the performance of the in body IS.

The system works with all Micro Four Thirds System lenses, and — via an optional MMF-1/2 Four Thirds Mount Adapter — all Four Thirds System lenses. It is effective even during horizontal panning, and can be used with older OM-system lenses — via an optional MF-2 OM Mount Adapter — simply by entering the appropriate focal length.

Compact Size with Interchangeable Lenses: The Micro Four Thirds System design eliminates the need to incorporate a mirror box inside the camera, making it possible to reduce the flange back distance (the distance from the lens mount to the sensor) by about half while still enabling the use of a full-size Four Thirds System image sensor. Even though the camera has a built-in image stabilization system and GN10 flash (ISO200), it is significantly more compact than conventional SLR cameras.

A new dedicated M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14–42mm f3.5–5.6 L lens (avail. in silver/black) is being simultaneously introduced as part of the E-PL1 Lens Kit and Double Zoom Kit. Based on the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14–42mm f3.5–5.6 introduced with the OLYMPUS PEN E-P1, it offers comparable performance and image quality with a low weight of just 133g.

Micro Four Thirds Mount: The Micro Four Thirds Mount on the E-PL1 provides many key benefits, including the effectiveness of a digitally designed image sensor, an ultra-compact design, and expandability and compatibility with all Micro Four Thirds Lenses and Four Thirds System Lens via the MMF-2 Adapter.

HD Movie with Manual Control, Art Filter Movie, and Direct Movie Button: The E-PL1 is equipped with a dedicated Movie mode button to enable instant activation of 720p HD movie recording at any time. Even if the mode dial isn't set to Movie mode, a quick press of this button allows users to switch seamlessly back and forth between still image and movie shooting. Recording is supported at a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9 (1280 x 720, 30fps), as well as a standard aspect ratio of 4:3 (640 x 480, 30fps).

As a Micro Four Thirds System camera, the Olympus E-PL1 is equipped with a much larger sensor than most handheld camcorders. As a result, it offers superior image quality, the ability to defocus the background by controlling aperture, and all the other creative advantages of interchangeable-lens photography. Built-in electronic image stabilization can be used when shooting movies, and is effective with all Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds System lenses, as well as other lenses.

Manual controls (exposure, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity) and Art Filters can also be used when shooting movies. Audio is recorded in linear PCM format — an uncompressed digital format noted for its super sound quality. Drawing on Olympus expertise in digital IC recorder technology, it assures outstanding fidelity and dynamic audio presence. After-the-fact audio and sound memos can also be easily added to previously taken photos.

New Easy To Use Live Guide Control: With the E-PL1, users can get truly high-quality photos simply by leaving the mode dial set to iAUTO, and letting the camera select the optimum shooting mode automatically. And when they want to add their own creative touch to an image, they can use the convenient new Live Guide user interface to quickly and easily achieve the desired result.

The Live Guide lets users select icons from a menu bar to quickly and easily adjust parameters for color vividness, color balance, image brightness, depth of field, and subject motion, enabling them to get the results they want if they have no knowledge of advanced SLR-class shooting techniques.

iauto with iEnhance: iAuto automatically identifies the scene you're shooting – portrait, landscape, night portrait, macro, or sport – and adjusts the settings to optimize results. iEnhance can be used in any mode, and automatically engages when using iAuto to enrich color in any subject, just as the human eye sees it.

High-precision 324-zone digital ESP metering: Three metering modes are offered: high-precision 324-zone digital ESP metering, center-weighted metering, and spot metering. The high-precision digital ESP mode divides the image area into an 18 x 18 grid, metering each of 324 separate areas to obtain optimum exposure with high accuracy even under complex light conditions.

One-Touch Enlarge Button For Easy Detail Confirmation: A convenient Enlarge button makes it easy to check subject details when focusing an OM series or other lens manually. When using a lens without MF Assist, a single press of the Enlarge button shows the enlarged view, and a third press returns to a 100% full-frame field of view.

Built In Flash: Use the pop-up flash to easily illuminate low-light subjects. The camera is also compatible with a range of optional external flashes including the Olympus FL-14, -- and the E-PL1 has wireless flash control using the FL-36R and FL-50R -- for dynamic lighting control.

In Camera Art Filters: With six in-camera Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama and our new Gentle Sepia filter) you can explore your artistic side while taking both still shots and HD video. The Art Filters can be applied as you shoot, no additional software required.

In-Camera Slideshow with Sound: Slideshows that mix still images, movies, and sound can be created right in the camera. Five background music compositions by the well-known Japanese music creator DAISHIDANCE are included, with controls for fade-in, fade-out slide transitions, volume adjustment, and audio post-recording.Slideshows have never been easier or more fun to create. The E-PL1’s enhanced playback functions allow you to employ effective fade-in/fade-out techniques, control the movie/still mix and speed, add captivating musical soundtracks, and much more.

19 Automatic Scene Select Modes: The Olympus E-PL1 is equipped with 19 scene-select modes for easy picture taking. Standard scene modes like Night-Scene, Portrait and Landscape are easy-to-use solutions for everyday shooting.

Dust Reduction System: When changing lenses, a digital camera's image sensor is inevitably exposed to contamination by airborne dust particles. If any of those particles adhere to the camera's low-pass filter or image sensor, they appear as spots and blemishes in every photo.

Olympus was the first to offer a solution to this issue with its SSWF (Super-Sonic Wave Filter), and it has continued to evolve the technology to meet the dust-protection needs of the mirrorless Micro Four Thirds System standard. The shape of the SSWF has been changed from circular to rectangular, and the supersonic oscillator has been divided into two vertically arranged sections. The resulting system is extremely compact, but remains highly effective at removing all types of dust, whether held by electrostatic forces or intramolecular bonds.

AF live View With AF Tracking: AF Live View works as seamlessly as a point-and-shoot to display subjects, in focus, on the LCD the instant the shutter is pressed half way. AF Tracking locks your subject into focus right on the LCD, and constantly adjusts focus and brightness whether you or your subject is moving. With this mode, a simple push of the AF button and shutter release enables you to keep fast-moving and unpredictable subjects in focus.

In-Camera Editing: Make changes to your image after the shot, right in the camera. Adjust for red eye, crop an image, change the aspect ratio or saturation, change your image to black and white -- and much more! In-Camera jpeg edit functions allow you to quickly tweak your images right in the camera so you can easily upload them to your favorite web site and share them with friends and family.

Face Detection: Advanced face detection technology enables the camera to detect up to 8 faces and optimizes focus. The Shadow Adjustment Technology optimizes the exposure to ensure that faces in the foreground and scenery in the background are both properly exposed. Even in backlit situations, auto gradation adjustment can brighten the faces without over-exposing the background, making it easy to capture the scene just as it appears to the human eye. In addition, face detection can be used during image playback to quickly select and magnify subjects to check their facial expression.

ePortrait: The ePortrait Scene-Select mode is useful for smoothing out the facial features of your subjects, which is a tremendous plus for High Definition video playback, or apply ePortrait post shot via .jpeg edit.

Multiple Aspect Ratio Shooting: The Olympus E-PL1 lets you select one of four Aspect Ratios (4:3, 3.2, 16.9 and 6.6) that help frame your images to whatever proportions you'd like. Aspect ratios are available for still photo and HD movie capture, for everything from conventional enlargements to viewing on widescreen monitors.

Accessory Port: The Olympus E-PL1 includes a port for new accessories including the SEMA-1 Microphone adapter set and the VF-2 live-finder, a detachable electronic viewfinder. The viewfinder easily slides onto the camera's accessory port and hot shoe to provide 1.15x magnification for a 100% field of view.

The VF-2 rotates up 90 degrees which is useful when shooting subjects from challenging angles. The external accessory port also allows for connection with the new EMA-1 external microphone adapter for enhanced audio capture. The Microphone Adapter will be bundled with the ME51SW Stereo Microphone Set (for Olympus digital recorders) and offered as the SEMA-1 Microphone Set 1 (avail. late Feb. 2010).

SDHC memory cards: The E-PL1 is capable of recording video to SDHC media cards to accommodate large files. (SDHC Class 6 cards are recommended.) Videos, stills and high-fidelity audio can also be output via HDMI cable-direct to any HD television.

Multiple Exposure: Multi-exposure shooting with Live View display: Images previously captured and recorded in RAW data format can be displayed on the Live View monitor while framing the current scene, making it easy to create artistically balanced multi-exposure compositions. Automatic gain correction can be performed in-camera, and even non-consecutive shots taken at different times and places can be used superimposed on each other via the play/edit menu (RAW data only, up to 3 images).

TruePic V Image Processor: In addition to more detail, the image sensor, combined with the next-generation TruePic V Image Processor, delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity and reduced noise, all the way up to 3200 ISO.

Optional Underwater Housing: The new camera’s compact design makes it the perfect companion for all of your dive trips. The PT-EP01 underwater housing has been specially customized for the Olympus E-PL1 and is waterproof to a depth of 40 meters (approximately 130 feet). With its durable, high-quality polycarbonate construction, this Olympus housing protects the camera from water while also cushioning it from knocks and bumps on land.

HDMI output for high-quality image and movie playback: The E-PL1 can be connected to an HDMI-equipped TV set via a commercially available HDMI–HDMI Mini cable to view high-quality HD movies and still images with stereo audio.

When the E-PL1 is connected to a compatible TV set by an HDMI cable (sold separately), the HDMI Control function enables users to control image playback via the TV's remote control unit. It's a great way to enjoy slideshows with the ease and convenience of regular TV programming.

New image browsing and organizing software: The software automatically classifies the pictures according to their recording date when uploading to the PC. It is also capable of recognizing the persons shot as subjects and classify the pictures accordingly. In addition, it can assign recording location information for each classified event or each picture. By making classification and organization of multiple pictures simple and easy, The software enables you to easily find the pictures you're looking for. Viewing, printing or even RAW development is also possible.

Availability: The Olympus E-PL1 will be available in March 2010. It includes the E-PL1 Body, M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zoom, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLS-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCS-1), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS [ib] software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
E-PL1 Body with M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens: Estimated Street Price $599.99 US.

Back to News Page