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OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Black)

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About this item

  • New Live Guide interface simplifies great photography; capture images to SD/SDHC cards (not included)
  • Capture HD video with high-quality audio; new "Direct Button" for easy recording
  • Includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 digital zoom lens; features built-in flash
  • 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens digital camera; Micro Four Thirds format
  • 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD with Live View function; Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) tracking system
  • 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens digital camera; Micro Four Thirds format
  • Includes 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 digital zoom lens; features built-in flash
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OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Black)
OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Black)
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Price$258.00-17% $499.00
List:$599.99
$185.41$1,999.99$475.00-19% $647.99
List:$799.99
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Picture quality
4.7
4.3
3.8
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5.0
4.6
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3.6
4.2
3.8
5.0
4.5
Auto focus
4.0
4.1
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display type
LCD
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2.7 inches
3 inches
3 inches
3 inches
3 inches
3 inches
lens type
zoom
Telephoto
Telephoto
zoom
interchangeable
zoom type
Optical
Optical Zoom
Optical
digital
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Scene, Automatic, Portrait
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Bulb Mode, Time Mode,Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
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HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
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video resolution
FHD 1080i
2160p
1080p
High definition 4k, 60p video
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4K UHD 2160p
optical zoom
3 multiplier x
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What's in the box

  • Olympus PEN E-PL1 Digital Camera - 14-42mm Lens -
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    OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Black)


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    Product Description

    Product Description

    OLYMPUS 262856 12.3 Megapixel E-PL1 Pen Camera (Black with M. Zuiko 14-42mm lens).What's in the box: Olympus PEN E-PL1 Digital Camera, PS-BLS1 Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery, PS-BCS-1 Battery Charger, Replacement Lens Cap for M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Micro 4/3 Lens, 260056 LR-2 Rear Lens Cap For E-P1 Lenses, USB/Video Multi Cable, Shoulder Strap, ib Software CD-ROM, Instruction Manuals and 1-Year Limited Warranty.

    From the Manufacturer

    The new Olympus PEN E-PL1 is truly greater than the sum of its parts, with a surprisingly small camera body packed with technology normally found in bigger, bulkier and heavier professional Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and High-Definition (HD) camcorders. This third-generation PEN is built for shutterbugs who always wanted better pictures and considered a DSLR, but were intimidated by the bulky size and complex interface. The new camera's simple design and easy interface enable photographers to easily create amazing images never dreamt possible.

    The E-PL1 equals an affordable and powerfully simple all-in-one package that travels with you to capture life in the high quality that your memories deserve.

    Easily Pen Your Story with a Brand-New PEN

    This third generation of the Olympus PEN series combines powerful features in an easy-to-use package that will make capturing your life more fun. The new direct record button makes taking videos easier than ever and the new Live Guide functionality makes it simple to learn photography techniques without requiring the skills of a pro shooter.

    New Direct Button for HD Movies
    Recording HD movies with the E-PL1 is simple, thanks to an easy-to-reach red "direct button" (red record button) on the back of the camera body. If you're about to snap a photo and you realize a video would capture the spirit of the scene even better, simply press the record button and instantly you're capturing videos! Easily toggle back and forth between capturing stills and videos by using your index finger to press the shutter button or your thumb to press the red record button. Having the ability to shoot still images and videos opens up a world of imaging possibilities.

    New Live Guide Sets the Scene Before You Shoot
    The E-PL1's new Live Guide interface simplifies great photography and gets the results you desire at the touch of a button. Want more vivid or muted color in your shot? Want warmer or cooler color? Want a brighter or darker subject, or a sharper or softer background? Or maybe you want to capture the fast-moving action of your subject with a little artistic blur, or perhaps freeze the action? Simply select Live Guide and press the up and down arrows on the back of the camera to slide through numerous photographic effects. Make adjustments and watch the LCD as the effects are made live before the image is captured! Don't worry about learning technical things like f-stops, shutter speed and white balance; jump right in by composing, adjusting exposure and more before the shot is taken.

    Seeing the results before snapping the image ensures you are getting the shots you want, and it will change the way you photograph. Shooting Tips are also included with Live Guide, so you can leave the manual at home.

    Automate Everything
    Live Guide is just the start of automated technologies on the E-PL1 designed to free you up to focus on your subjects instead of focusing on your camera's settings.
    • 19 Scene-Select Modes: From portraits to sunset shots, the E-PL1 is equipped with 19 Scene-Select modes for effortless picture taking, including Fireworks, Sunset, Children, Macro and Panorama, to name a few. Capturing beautiful portraits is easy with the ePortrait Mode that enables you to smooth your subject's complexion.
    • Intelligent Auto (iAuto) Mode: When you don't want to use the scene-select modes, the iAuto mode automatically identifies what you're shooting and adjusts settings for you to capture the best result depending on the situation.
    • Face Detection: Reduce the chance of blurred subjects in images by recognizing up to eight faces, tracking them within the image area, and automatically focusing and optimizing exposure for sharp portraits.
    • In-Camera Panorama: Capture three images and stitch them together to create one amazing, seamless panoramic picture. Or use the included OLYMPUS [ib] software to stitch up to 10 images together for the ultimate panorama.
    • iEnhance: With this mode the warm yellow and orange colors of a sunset are heightened to a dramatically lifelike color that's truer to what you see with the naked eye. iEnhance can be used in any mode, and automatically engages when using iAuto to enrich color in any subject.
    • Share: Just connect the camera to an HDTV with an optional HDMI cable and use your TV remote to control playback functions and navigate the camera's menus from the comfort of your personal front-row seat. The E-PL1 records to SDHC (Class 6 recommended) media cards that can be plugged directly into many devices and accommodate large files, including videos.
    New Powerfully Simple Pop-Up Flash
    The E-PL1 is the first camera in the Olympus PEN series with a built-in pop-up flash that makes it easy to illuminate low-light subjects, reduce red-eye and fill in dark areas. The camera 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 E-PL1 so you can dynamically control lighting as your photography skills grow.

    Pro-Quality Images

    How do professional photographers capture the stunning images you see in the pages of glossy magazines and coffee-table books? Talent matters, of course, but you also need the right equipment. Rest assured that the E-PL1 has everything you need to produce vibrant, professional-quality images: a large image sensor, in-body Image Stabilization, Imager Autofocus, the proven Olympus Dust Reduction System and the TruePic V Image Processor.



    Big Sensor, Not a Big Body
    At the heart of the E-PL1 is a large-size image sensor that's the same sensor as the one inside the Olympus E-30 and E-620 DSLR models. The only difference between this sensor and what the pros use is that this big sensor is inside the much smaller body of the E-PL1. This high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor (eight times larger than the average point-and-shoot camera sensor) delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

    Stabilize All of Your Lenses
    Instead of selling more expensive lenses that have image stabilization inside them, Olympus takes a different approach by having image stabilization built right into the body of the E-PL1. This means that any lens (Micro Four Thirds, Four Thirds and any third-party lens) attached to the E-PL1 will deliver blur-free images thanks to three modes of In-body Image Stabilization that automatically compensate for camera shake, including in low-light situations or when shooting without a tripod. Since the PEN cameras are the world's smallest interchangeable-lens cameras with image stabilization built inside the body, you can take the E-PL1 with you and capture great images, and it won't weigh you down.

    Track Your Subjects Wherever They Roam
    The E-PL1's Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) Tracking and Autofocus (AF) Target Registration locks your subject into focus and constantly adjusts focus and brightness whether you or your subject is moving. With this mode, a simple push of the shutter release enables you to keep moving subjects in focus--tracking them from left to right and from front to back--within the frame, automatically ensuring that even active subjects, like kids playing sports, are captured clearly.

    The E-PL1's Imager Autofocus in Live View enables you to compose, focus and capture the shot quickly and easily without ever taking your eyes off the camera's large, 2.7-inch full-color, high-contrast HyperCrystal LCD for an easy, seamless viewing experience when shooting still images or videos. The LCD also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures that images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.

    This Camera Leaves Others in the Dust
    If you're just starting out with a camera that has interchangeable lenses, you don't have to worry about dust spots on your sensor ruining the perfect image every time you change lenses. Spend more time shooting with the E-PL1 and less time worrying about dust with the proven Olympus Dust Reduction System that produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, a patented ultrasonic technology that vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, capturing them on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on.

    True-to-Life Color
    The E-PL1's Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus' TruePic V Image Processor, which produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible. The image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings (ISO 100 to ISO 3200), enabling great results in low-light situations.

    Easily Expand Your Creative Horizons With Built-in Effects

    Express yourself with in-camera creative features. Professional images are rarely unedited images. Video and still image pros use computer-editing software to render their images with effects that set their shots apart from the pack. Olympus appreciates that you may not have hours to spend retouching your images at the computer, so the E-PL1 incorporates editing effects inside the camera to save you time. Whether you apply in-camera creative effects while shooting an image, or apply them later to images captured without the effects, all are inside the E-PL1, so you can achieve dramatic results on the go without a computer or editing software.

    The E-PL1 has six in-camera Art Filters, including a new filter called Gentle Sepia. This filter gives your images and videos a soft, warm sepia cast similar to historical images from the early days of photography. The sepia tones are softer and the blacks are a true black, unlike traditional sepia images. The new filter joins Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pin Hole, Grainy Film and Diorama (the filter that makes everything look as small as the E-PL1).

    With the E-PL1's Multiple Exposure function available for still image capture, you are free to tell a visual story your way. The image capture options enable you to shoot one shot, then another and combine them in real time, or capture both shots separately and combine them within the camera later. Take a shot of your significant other, and overlay your self-portrait on top to figure out what your kids will look like. If you have kids already, overlay your kid's face on top of a shot of his or her favorite cartoon character for laughs. Your ability to manipulate space and time makes this new creative multimedia device a veritable time machine.

    You often can achieve greater photographic expression by framing a scene in a unique way. The E-PL1 provides four aspect ratios that serve as masks to frame your image to the desired proportions, including the standard 4:3 aspect ratio that is suited to an 8 x 10-inch enlargement; the 16:9 aspect ratio that will display beautifully on a widescreen television; and other popular aspect ratios, such as 3:2 and 6:6. The Multi-Aspect Shooting further expresses your creative vision when combined with in-camera Art Filters and Multiple Exposures.

    With the E-PL1, you have your own living library of still images, HD video and audio to remix at your command. 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 dramatic background music options to provide a soundtrack for your cinematic creation. With so many creative options, there's no limit to what you can create. Choose whether or not you want to play back just pictures, just movies or a combination; also control playing back the whole movie or just a clip.

    Open System Easily Grows with Your Ability

    With a basic point-and-shoot camera, you get one lens built into the camera. One lens, that's it. And it's likely a small lens, which doesn't allow a lot of light through to hit the image sensor. So, you may have a difficult time in low-light conditions. And without the option of adding more lenses, you're limited to what that one point-and-shoot lens can do. The E-PL1 solves these issues by accepting a variety of lenses to maximize its functionality. Whether shooting still images or HD video, you can add everything from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super-telephoto lens for a wide range of expressive options.

    The M. Zuiko Digital Micro Four Thirds lenses are designed to be more compact and portable like the E-PL1. Choose from the ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens (28-84mm equivalent in 35mm cameras) sold with the E-PL1, the ED 17mm f2.8 lens (34mm equivalent), the new super wide-angle zoom ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 lens (18-36mm equivalent) or the high-power wide to telephoto zoom ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens (28-300mm equivalent).

    If you want to have even more options, the MMF-2 Four Thirds System Lens Adapter makes the E-PL1 compatible with all Olympus Zuiko Digital Specific lenses and other Four Thirds System lenses from Sigma, Panasonic and Leica. Olympus OM film-based lenses can be attached to the E-PL1 with the MF-2 OM Lens Adapter, and there are third-party adapters developed for lenses from most other manufacturers.

    Software & Accessory Options When You're Ready

    The E-PL1 incorporates an accessory port for connecting the optional VF-2 live-finder, a detachable electronic viewfinder, or the new optional SEMA-1 external microphone adapter set (which includes the EMA-1 adapter, the ME-51S stereo microphone and a cord) for those who want to capture enhanced audio with any microphone that has a 3.5mm plug. These optional accessories easily slide into the camera's accessory port and hot shoe.

    Photographers who wish to hold the E-PL1 up to their eye rather than use the LCD will appreciate that the optional VF-2, which provides 1.15x magnification and a 100 percent field of view with sharp resolution, brightness and contrast. The viewfinder refreshes quickly to minimize image ghosting on fast-moving subjects. It also rotates up to 90 degrees to enable photographers to look down into it, which is useful when shooting subjects from challenging angles. The built-in diopter adjustment and high magnification offer easy viewing with and without glasses.

    The E-PL1 offers OLYMPUS [ib] software that includes photography workflow, browsing, editing and unique photo-organizing functions. You can organize your photos by person with automatic face-recognition technology, by location with a Geotagging function or by event. You can easily view photos on an HDTV or on the camera's LCD with the Photo Surfing or Slideshow functions. The name [ib] stands for image bridging, image browsing and image brightening. The software will be available for Windows operating systems only.

    Underwater Housing for Aquatic Adventures
    The new camera's compact design makes it the perfect companion for all of your dive trips. The PT-EP01 underwater case 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. The housing enables viewing from either the camera's LCD screen or an optional electronic viewfinder. The flash connectors allow optional use of up to two UFL-2 underwater flash units via fiber optic cable. A nonremovable front lens port accommodates multiple Micro Four Thirds lenses.

    New Exterior Design, Same PEN DNA
    The E-PL1 streamlines the Olympus Micro Four Thirds PEN series form. Thanks to its compact size (4.51" W x 2.84" H x 1.63" D excluding protrusions) and light 10.4-ounce body, the E-PL1 won't weigh you down when you're on the go.


    Read about our customers' top-rated cameras and lenses on our review pages: Compact System Cameras, Lenses

    Customer reviews

    4.1 out of 5 stars
    4.1 out of 5
    301 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the quality, usability, portability, and performance of the camera. They mention that it's a great point and shoot camera, it records high quality video, and that it is an excellent bridge camera. Customers also appreciate the compact size, saying that it looks like a point andshoot with a lens. They are also happy with the usability and portability. However, some customers differ on autofocus.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    137 customers mention126 positive11 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the image quality of the camera. They mention that it takes amazing pictures, the displayed image is clear, and the lens can give you fantastic, crystal clear wide angle photos. The screen is excellent and has a high refresh rate. Some like Olympus cameras for their great color rendering and ease of use. The view screen res is more than adequate for shooting in all kinds of situations.

    "...PROS:LightweightCompactFeels SolidFine Image QualityBuilt-in FlashSmooth Manual FocusingHD Video..." Read more

    "...Every picture is very sharp when zoom in on my computer. I am just using M-normal size setting in this camera...." Read more

    "...aperture is not as open as some might wish, but it is capable of capturing bokeh; and, for those who want a lens with a lower f-stop, there are..." Read more

    "...The colors are as true as I've seen. My jewelry photos are coming out great. It is as easy to use as a point & shoot, but is much more capable...." Read more

    82 customers mention75 positive7 negative

    Customers are impressed with the quality of the camera. They mention that it's a really good point and shoot camera, an excellent bridge camera, and well constructed. The sensor quality is very good, and it records high enough quality video that you can leave the tripod behind. Overall, customers find the camera satisfying to shoot with, and a fantastic beginner camera.

    "...It looks and feels very old school and seems to be of solid construction...." Read more

    "...All in all, the Olympus E-PL1 is a good camera with a nice pricetag. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a portable and elegant camera...." Read more

    "...The HS10 and SX20is can auto focus in video mode in my test. HS10 is so cheap; I may buy it again if I need to shoot at 30x distance during a sport..." Read more

    "...To sum up, I have found the Olympus PL1 to be a versatile camera, capable of seriously good quality photographs all in a compact package...." Read more

    77 customers mention65 positive12 negative

    Customers like the value of the digital camera. They mention it's an excellent value for the price, compelling value for specific shooters, and has good pictures.

    "...it makes a difference no matter what camera you use and is totally worth the extra money...." Read more

    "...All in all, the Olympus E-PL1 is a good camera with a nice pricetag. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a portable and elegant camera...." Read more

    "...am happy with my purchase, and I feel I have received a great deal of camera for the price." Read more

    "...best buys I have made in a long time and at less than $300 is a terrific bargain! The size of this camera is a plus...." Read more

    58 customers mention46 positive12 negative

    Customers like the size of the digital camera. They mention it's compact enough to be comfortable for carrying around, and it looks like a point-and-shoot with a lens. They appreciate the tiny and light lenses, which fit comfortably in smaller hands. Customers also mention that the camera sacrifices control for smaller size while maintaining high quality photos.

    "...Lets get to the review.PROS:LightweightCompactFeels SolidFine Image QualityBuilt-in Flash..." Read more

    "...Finally, I found Sony Nex 3 and E-PL1. The Nex 3 has very small body, very nice LCD, but the lens is much longer. Its lens is also proprietary...." Read more

    "...But it is compact enough that I decided to attach a wrist loop to one of the brackets for the strap; I found that I could easily carry it in one..." Read more

    "...The size of this camera is a plus...." Read more

    54 customers mention44 positive10 negative

    Customers like the usability of the camera. They say it has an easy user interface, the menu system is not too complex, and it has intuitive commands. They also appreciate the logically laid out controls and extra features. Customers also mention that the iAuto setting is as simple as it gets, and the custom settings make it easy to do cool effects like double-exposure.

    "...2. Ease of use: I find that this is just as easy, if not easier, to operate than a regular P&S. I can't compare it to DLSR's becuase I've never..." Read more

    "...Built-in FlashSmooth Manual FocusingHD VideoUser FriendlyEasy to set Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO..." Read more

    "...The iAuto setting is as simple as it gets, but as I learn more I am able to take advantage of the additional settings and take some really creative..." Read more

    "...I've always liked Olympus cameras for great color rendering, ease of use, but hated their insistence on using their proprietary xD card format--..." Read more

    45 customers mention40 positive5 negative

    Customers like the portability of the digital camera. They say it's easy to carry, compact, and lightweight given its capabilities. Some say it is convenient during hefty travels and a fun camera to handle and take pictures with. Overall, most are happy with the port ability of the product.

    "...Although its bigger than most cameras, it is still portable enough to be taken and used everywhere without being cumbersome...." Read more

    "...The camera is extremely lightweight without giving a "cheap" feel. Not as bulky as DSLR, but loads more customizable than a point and shoot...." Read more

    "...Its lens is also proprietary. E-PL1 has bigger body (good size to me, heavier and feel very solid) and with a retractable lens (very smart!!)...." Read more

    "...The lenses for this camera are very small and light, so taking them with you is not a problem...." Read more

    35 customers mention28 positive7 negative

    Customers like the performance of the digital camera. For example, they say it works well, produces great results, and is functional. Some mention that it works as well as entry-level DSLRs and is usable. Overall, most are satisfied with the performance and functionality of the product.

    "...K-x's picture is Okay and is very good in low night performance (up to ISO 6400 with no flash!!) but can't auto focus in video...." Read more

    "...It is as easy to use as a point & shoot, but is much more capable...." Read more

    "...A quick word about the integrated flash - it works great, has decent range and the camera does a good job of balancing the exposure to prevent washed..." Read more

    "...When the camera initially arrived the kit lens was inoperable so I took a refund from Warehouse deals and ordered the Panasonic 14 - 42mm lens..." Read more

    68 customers mention21 positive47 negative

    Customers are mixed about the autofocus of the camera. Some mention that it's fast and accurate, while others say that it is a little slow. The screen magnification on manual focus is great, while still others say it'd be better to use a DSLR. The lens is slow when taking indoor shots and the shutter lag is long.

    "...The only thing I miss is a focus assist light so it can not focus in a dark room or dark night... E-PL1 also has hard time to take fast action..." Read more

    "...As far as I'm concerened, both shutterspeed and autofocus are pretty darn fast! It takes a picture the instant I push the shutter button...." Read more

    "...I have only a few complaints. The battery takes a good long while to recharge, so I will either have to plan ahead and have a charged-up battery..." Read more

    "...The only trade-off is you must focus manually, but that is an easy compromise for the low price of a legacy lens...." Read more

    Very pleased - a great camera for the price
    5 Stars
    Very pleased - a great camera for the price
    I used to be an avid film photographer in high school and college, but dropped it years ago. Since then, I have had a series of adequate-to-downright disappointing point/shoots - the most recent is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4. So I decided to treat myself to a new camera, and after much research, decided on the E-PL1 based on a combination of budget, capability, and quality. After a few days of use, I'm very pleased with almost all aspects of this camera.PROS:-RAW mode - this is my first camera with this mode, so I can't really compare, but based on many of the reviews, the RAW images out of this camera have low-light/high-ISO noise levels that rival SLRs with larger sensors. I must say being able to shoot in RAW mode and edit in the included "ib" software* surpasses all my expectations. Being able to forget about white balance, exposure compensation, etc. and correct later takes a lot of the guesswork out of shooting - I've taken several shots in mixed lighting conditions and made them pop simply by applying accurate compensation, where doing so to a JPG would provide suboptimal results. I've done some full-pixel crops that don't look half bad, and I chalk it all up to being able to shoot in RAW mode.-Noise levels are very low. I've taken many low-light shots at ISO 800 or 1600 that look very decent - what noise there is looks more like film grain when viewed at reduced size or printed out, rather than the artifacting I've gotten out of my previous shooters. The Panny I'm coming from for instance would introduce so much color noise in low-light shots anywhere above ISO 400 so as to make any shots unusable for anything but Facebook posts.-The video is incredible. I thought he HD video out of my smartphone looked good, but this looks amazing. Even though it's *only* 720p, on my 1080p 46" flat-screen, it looks outstanding. I would even say that with a good (read: better than the kit) lens, this could be a credible (and super-cheap) starter camera for a film student or documentary maker (as long as you don't need to shoot a scene longer ~7 minutes due to the 2GB limitation). The auto-focus hunts a bit, but a light touch on the shutter button and judicious framing will minimize this, and you can always focus in manual mode if necessary (though you can't switch focus mode - or anything - while filming). I have a couple relatively minor complaints about video recording, addressed in the CONS section below, but both of which one can easily work around.-Size - this is a perfect size, heft, and shape, for me at least. I can even shoot for a while one-handed without much fatigue - there's a raised "safety bump" to prevent you from inadvertently hitting the Movie Mode button, and with my thumb braced just beneath this, I can get a pretty good balance for a few shots, something that was not very easy with my old Canon AE-1 and Pentax K1000. Even though it's got a plastic body, it's very well put together.-The built in flash is a convenience I'd never had in an SLR before. And while, like any built in flash, it's only useful to a few feet away, the color balance is quite good, and it doesn't lead to blown highlights.CONS-The biggest con is the kit lens, although for such a great price I shouldn't complain, since it would be impossible to find a quality lens for the delta between the kit and body only prices. The optics seem decent enough, although soft around the corners when zoomed in, but the barrel has a bit of play both in wide-angle and telephoto positions. This means if you shoot at certain speeds between around 1/80 to 1/200, the shutter movement can rattle the lens, causing a slight blur, although if you shoot in the middle of the zoom range, this is less likely to happen, since the lens is retracted and has less play. . To be fair, this will only be noticable very close up, so for small prints and web sharing, it shouldn't be noticeable - if you want crystal-clear full-size prints, get better glass. Next big investment of mine will be some quality optics.-As mentioned above, there are a couple minor drawbacks with video recording. 1) The in-body microphone will pick up the zoom and auto-focus noises from the lens. This can be qutie distracting, and if you plan on doing a lot of recording, the Olympus SEMA-1 external mic adapter is highly recommended, as it should isolate the mic from the lens motor and solve this problem - this will be my next purchase**. 2) The video sizes in the Motion-jpeg/AVI format are HUUGE. A 3 minute-long video took almost 750 MB - at this rate, I will need a lot of SD cards. The good news is that the video compresses down quite nicely to more familiar and compatible formats without much loss in quality - I used Handbrake to compress this video from 750 down to 310 MB in size, with a negligible-to-nil difference in quality (h.264 format, High Profile with Constant Quality set to RF 15 and audio set to pass-through). I would highly recommend becoming familiar with Handbrake or similar transcoding tools if you plan on using this for video recording.-*While I love being able to edit RAW images, the provided software is a bit slow and cumbersome to use. This may simply be a limitation of editing RAW images since they are so large, but the interface could use some polish.-**The mic accessory attaches to the hot shoe, and blocks the connection, so you won't be able to use any other accessories like the optional viewfinder or a flash. Not a big issue for me, but if you plan to do a lot of mixed-mode shooting, go for a model with an external mic connector onboard.-The only other complaint I have is that some of the default settings on this camera are buried in the setup menus, and perhaps should have been covered upfront in the user guide. For instance, in Manual Focus mode, there is the option to zoom in to a magnified view as soon as you rotate the focus ring. This is quite handy, and *should* be the default setting, but it took a lot of hunting through the manual and a couple layers of menus to turn this on.
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