Olympus PEN E-PL1

Opinion: The Olympus Pen E-PL1 is, what I believe, one of the best values around for a digital camera that produces excellent results. Yes, it is somwhat of a novelty item, but once you start using it and explore its imaging capabilities, you will not think of it any longer as a "toy" but a real high quality camera.
First, when you get the camera out of the box you will notice that it is bulit very solid. Maybe not to the degree of E-P1 or P2, but it still feels good in the hands. The controls are easy to read and manipulate. Understand that wilth such a small body, many of your setting will have to be done through the menu base system rather than direct control buttons or dials (I don't like that as much, but I can live with it). The screen is 2.7" and only 230k resolution, but it works well in brightly lit conditions due to the Hypercrystal technology bulilt into Olympus' LCD screens. But what is with Olympus when it comes to their LCD screens? Why hasn't Olympus moved up on any of their cameras with a higher resolution screen for more precise viewing and editing of pictures on the camera? Yes, the E-P2 has upgraded to a 420k screen, but come on Olympus, you could have done better than this, and your fans would have really appreciated a better offering. I know Olympus was not going to give to many upgrades to the E-PL1, but staying with that 230k, 2.7" screen is fast becoming a worn out welcome.
Second - The lens. The lens that came with the unit was the Olympus 14-42mm zoom. I was somewhat disappointed with the fact that it had a polycarbonite lens mount. This does help keep the weight down, and my immediate thoughts were that it would probably only produce so-so results. But to my surprise the lens actually produces pretty sharp results with good contrast as well. It is worth keeping and a good start point for the first lens. Since this writting, however, I have since ordered the Olympus 17mm pancake lens. The great thing about using an Olympus system is that, of course, all the lenses you put on to use with this camera will have the image stabilization feature built in since this is done from the camera body image sensor and not through the lens itself like Canon and Nikon have done. Both systems work well, whether the image stabilization feature is done through the lens or body, but this approach that Olympus has chosen provides more flexibility for your lens line-up.
Third - Performance. The image quaility on this camera is first rate. This should be first and formost anyone's primary objective in choosing a good quality camera. Because, if the lens and body cannot achieve excellent results then what do you have in a camera? Nothing but a toy, which is what this camera is not. So it performs quite nicely in this category. However, it does not do it very fast. Now, it is not super slow, don't get me wrong about this, but it does not focus as fast as compared to some other DSLR choices that are out there. The fact that it has a built in flash, which the E-P1 and E-P2 do not have, is a bonus, but it is limited and I would recommend if you are going to require doing much in the way of flash photography, then upgrade to the Olympus FL-36R flash. With this upgrade not only will you have more power in your flash range, but you will also gain ability to do wireless set-ups for more creative results. The video performance is also good and will serve you well when needed, but as I am not a video guru, I cannot add much more on this. Oh, don't forget this camera also includes 6 Art Filters to help expand your creativity and they can be used doing still shots or doing video. They are fun to use and save time for those who don't like to spend a whole lot of time creating special effects in post processing.
I do recommend this camera. It is a great value considering its features and price point. Many who may have been considering buying the new E-P2 may have to stop and think about whether cool looks (which the E-P2 has), more control, higher shutter speeds (1/2000 vs. 1/4000) is worth the difference because the image quality, processor, and the 12 megapixel image sensor are the same between the E-PL1 and E-P2. There are also a few differences in menu systems and the ability to access them, but all in all, you could save some money and still get great results.

Opinion: Pros
- Good stabilize system works with all lens
- Good ISO performance, usable at 1600 ISO
- Art filters (even work in Movie mode)
- Quick movie record button
- With Pop up flash
- Good meter system
- Small and light weight
- Provide Auto focus with all 4/3 lens (but slow)
- Fast Auto Focus with firmware 1.1
- Good JPEG photo (no need to shoot RAW)
- In-camera RAW editing tool
- Can use the Panasonic M43 lens
- New Olympus Viewer 2 is free (with all editing tools you needs)

It is a small camera with very good picture quality. The picture quality is even better than the Olympus E3.

Since I also had the Panasonic G1, I was not happy about the AF system on the first day of purchase. However, Olympus released a firmware update just after one month of the camera launch. With the new firmware, the AF speed just slightly slower than my G1.

Olympus also released a very good photo editing software “Olympus Viewer 2” in May 2010. You just need to input your serial number to download it free. This software provided all the functions you need. For Nikon user, they need to paid extra money to buy Nikon NX 2 software but it is free for EPL1 user.

Finally, the Lumix 20 f1.7 is a perfect combination with the EPL1. Thanks to the in –body stabilize system and high ISO performance. You can shoot with 1/8 shutter speed with the f1.7 for low light scene without tripod. You also get better AF speed with Panasonic lens.

Opinion: I've never use the word LOVE on an inanimate object especially a camera, as I have
always consider it just a tool, but this little camera got me a admit for the first time
where apart for the love of photography, I do love the EPL1. I love the size, the
weight, the controls, how it handles and above all I love the quality of image from
this camera. With the addition of the VF2 viewer, this camera is now operates just
like a small SLR, I use manual lenses from both Leica and Voigtlander and the
weight from these lenses balances out perfectly.
I strongly suggest all EPL1 owners should take a look the the VF2 viewfinder, as this
is well worth addition and make this camera better than it already is.

Opinion: Choices choices choices!

Let me start by stating that I know very little about photography. I am one of those
normal guys snapping at things in the street and taking holiday pics.

I wanted to move up from my good compact P&S (Fuji 200EXR) but was in a
dilemma over what to buy. The pictures the Fuji produced had gotten me interested
in photography but did I want to commit to a buying a Carrera or an SLK?

Some friends told me to buy a DSLR but I already had a film SLR bought 15 years
ago that I hardly ever used. It was just too heavy and bulky for me to enjoy
carrying around my neck for long periods of time. I must had gotten through 10
rolls of film in those 15 years.

I also considered "Superzooms" like the Panasonic FZ35 - but then the picture
quality might just the same as my Fuji (or perhaps worse). They were also not that
small - certainly not trouser pocket size.

Then I found out about these little 4/3 babies. I must admit that it was a hard
choice between the Panasonic GF1 and this one. I liked the feel of the GF1 more
and the screen was better. However, as a novice photographer I wanted the security
of in-body stabilisation which the Panasonic didn't have.

I also didnt want to bother with "post-processing" using Photoshop (something my
DSLR friends seemed to enjoy that) and everyone (and the reviewers) said that the
Olympus produced the best JPEG output straight from the camera of the two. Even
better were the art filters - the grainy film and the soft focus especially.

The last clincher was the price... the Olympus was $200 cheaper. The Panasonic
was the about same price as the Canon 550D/T2i.

Weighing up the pros against the cons the EPL-1 was the best choice for a guy like
me - a novice photographer on a budget.