Olympus E-PL1 Review

Compared to...

The E-PL1, with its Live Guide and compact-camera-like button control system, is the first mirrorless camera to really try to bridge the gap between point-and-shoot compacts and the DSLRs (and DSLR-like mirrorless cameras), on which a point-and-shoot mode has been added onto a camera mainly designed to be used in a semi-automatic or manual mode.

As such, it's hard to find direct peers for the E-PL1. The most obvious competitor is Nikon's D3000, which offers a similarly results-orientated guide mode for first-time DSLR users. Just to show how it stacks up against the other mirrorless offerings (though one aimed at a slightly more experienced user, with all the buttons that can bring), we'll also have a look at the Panasonic GF1.

Just for our own curiosity we'll also compare it to the Olympus E-P2 - just to see what difference the lighter anti-aliasing filter Olympus says it's fitted makes.

Olympus E-PL1 advantages

• In-body image stabilization
• Compact dimensions (compared to D3000)
• 720p HD video (not present on D3000)
• Easy-to-use Live Guide mode (not present on GF1)
• Built-in flash (compared to E-P2)
• Direct movie record button (unlike E-P2)
• Highly configurable (compared to GF1 and D3000)
• Inexpensive compared to GF and E-P2

Olympus E-PL1 disadvantages

• No control dials mean slower operation
• Fewer external controls (compared to E-P2 and GF1)
• Smaller screen than E-P2 or D3000, lower screen resolution than GF1
• Less solid construction (compared to E-P2 and GF1)
• Limited fastest shutter speed (1/2000th, rather than 1/4000th for others)
• Less effective IS (than E-P2)
• No orientation sensor unlike E-P2, D3000 (and GF1 with kit lens)
• No wired or wireless remote shutter release option