Olympus Adds New M4/3 Camera

February 4, 2010: March will see the worldwide release of a new Olympus Pen series camera, the Pen E-PL1.
This third-generation PEN is built for photographers who want a small, interchangeable-lens camera with a sensor that’s significantly larger than those in digicams. This high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor is coupled to a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas. The new camera’s body is smaller than the other Pen models and lighter in construction, with an aluminium front panel and polycarbonate rear.

The Pen E-PL1 will be offered in a twin-lens kit with the M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 zoom lenses. (Source: Olympus.)
Like other Pen models, the E-PL1 includes the proven Olympus Dust Reduction System and TruePic V Image Processor plus body-integrated image stabilisation that works with all lenses. Three modes can automatically compensate for camera shake in low-light situations or when shooting without a tripod.
Like its predecessors, the E-PL1 provides four aspect ratios that serve as masks to frame shots for particular output formats. The standard 4:3 aspect ratio is suited to an 8 x 10-inch enlargement, while the 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal for shots that will be displayed on a widescreen television. The remaining aspect rations are 3:2 and 6:6. In playback mode, you can seamlessly mix stills and movies inside the camera to create a multimedia slideshow, and dub in one of three built-in background music options to provide a soundtrack.

Angled view of the Pen E-PL1 with the pop-up flash raised. (Source: Olympus.)
The E-PL1 is the first camera in the Olympus PEN series with a built-in pop-up flash. It is also compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R, which can be controlled wirelessly by the camera. Other new features include a red ‘direct button’ on the back of the camera body for triggering movie capture. Users can toggle quickly back and forth between capturing stills and videos by using an index finger to press the shutter button and a thumb to press the red record button.
A new Live Guide interface makes it easier to select different camera settings without having to understand technicalities. Pressing the up and down arrows on the back of the camera moves the users through the special effects functions and users can make adjustments and watch the LCD as they are applied – before the image is recorded. Shooting Tips are also included with Live Guide.
The E-PL1 also provides 19 Scene-Select modes, including Fireworks, Sunset, Children, Macro and Panorama plus an ePortrait Mode that enables users to smooth out defects in skin texture. The iAuto mode automatically identifies the subject type and adjusts settings to capture the best result for the situation. Face detection can recognise up to eight faces and track them within the image area, automatically focusing and optimising exposure for sharp portraits.
The in-camera panorama function lets the photographer record three images and stitch them together to create a single panoramic image. The iEnhance setting can be used in any mode to enrich color in any subject. Multiple Exposure is available for still image capture and the camera has six in-camera Art Filters, including a new filter called Gentle Sepia. These filters are non-adjustable but they can be used for both stills and movie capture.
The E-PL1 is compatible with all M. Zuiko Digital Micro Four Thirds lenses and other Four Thirds System lenses via the MMF-2 Four Thirds System Lens Adapter. There are also third-party adapters developed for lenses from most other manufacturers. It also includes an accessory port for connecting the optional VF-2 live-finder or the new optional SEMA-1 external microphone adapter set (which includes the EMA-1 adapter, the ME-51S stereo microphone and a cord).
A new PT-EP01 underwater housing has also been announced for the Olympus PEN E-PL1. Usable at depths of up to 40 metres, the housing is significantly lighter and more compact than conventional SLR camera underwater housings. It enables the Olympus UFL-2 dedicated underwater flash unit to be controlled wirelessly from the camera within the housing via Olympus’ Wireless Remote Control Flash System.
The bundled Olympus [ib] software that includes photography workflow, browsing, editing and photo-organising functions. The E-PL1 will be offered in three new body colours: Black and Champagne Gold. It will be available in March with the M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens. Pricing has still to be determined. For more information, visit www.olympus.com.au.

Specifications
Image sensor: 17.3 x 13.0 mm High-speed Live MOS Sensor with 13.1 million photosites (12.3 megapixels effective)
A/D processing: 12-bit
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Image formats: Stills- JPEG (Exif 2.2), ORF.RAW; Movies – AVI Motion JPEG/WAV (30 fps)
Image Sizes: Stills (4:3 aspect ratio) – 4032 x 3024, 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 (3:2, 16:9 and 6:6 aspect ratios also available); Movies – 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Image Stabilisation: Imager shift; approx.4EV steps compensation with 50mm lens; 3 modes plus OFF; electronic stabilisation for movie capture
Dust removal: Supersonic Wave Filter
Shutter speed range: 60 to 1/2000 seconds; X-synch at 1/30-1/160 sec.
Exposure Compensation: +/-3 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps
Exposure bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1EV steps
Self-timer: 2 or 12 seconds delay
Focus system: Imager Contrast Detection AF with 11 focus areas; single AF point selection; manual focus (with enlarged area focusing aid)
Focus modes: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / AF tracking (C-AF + TR)
Exposure metering: TTL Image Sensor metering with Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Centre-weighted average and Spot (approx. 1% of the viewfinder screen) modes; Highlight / shadow bias spot metering are available
Shooting modes: Auto, Program AE (with program shift), Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual, Scene select AE (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Documents, Panorama, Beach & Snow), Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pinhole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia)
Picture Style/Control settings: Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone
Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
Special effects: Monotone effects (Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter), Picture tones (Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone); 4 Gradation levels (Auto, High key, Normal, Low key)
ISO range: Auto: ISO 200-3200; Manual: ISO 100-6400 in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps
White balance: Auto, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Daylight, Fluorescent (x3), Lamp, Custom (1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000-14000K); WB compensation of +/- 7 steps in each A-B/G-M axis; WB bracketing of 3 frames in 2, 4 or 6 steps
Flash: Built-in, pop-up flash, GN 10
Sequence shooting: Approx. 3 frames/sec. for up to 10 ORF.RAW or approx. 12 high-resolution JPEGs
Storage Media: SD/SDHC memory cards
Viewfinder: VF-2 Detachable Live Viewfinder, 1,440,000 dots
LCD monitor: 2.7-inch Hypercrystal LCD, 230,000 dots; 100% field of view
Video Capture: Yes, HD at 720p, 30 fps
Live View Modes: Normal, Grid lines (4 types), Histogram, Magnified view, Highlight/Shadow alerts, Comparable view, Off (for EVF use)
Playback functions: Single-frame, Information Display, Histogram (luminance/RGB), Highlight / Shadow warnings, AF frame, Index Display(4/9/16/25/49/100 frames, Calendar), Zoom (2-14x), Movie (w/sound, FF/REW/Pause), Picture rotation (auto mode available), Slideshow (Still/Movie/Still+Movie, Slide show with background music and/or Sound)
In-camera editing: RAW development based on camera settings (including Art Filter), Shadow adjustment, Red-eye fix, Trimming, Monotone, Sepia, Saturation, Resize (1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240), e-portrait
Interface terminals: USB 2.0 High Speed, HDMI, Video Out (PAL/NTSC), IR remote (optional)
Power supply: BLS-1 Li-ion battery
Dimensions (wxhxd): 115 x 72 x 42 mm (body only, excluding protrusions)
Weight: 296 grams (body only)

RRP: tbd
Distributor: Olympus Imaging Australia; 1300 659 678, www.olympus.com.au