Olympus has come out with a rangefinder camera based on the micro four-thirds format called the Olympus Pen E-P1. This camera is based on the popular Olympus Pen based on the half-frame format. Meaning, you can take twice the number of photos on your 36 roll of 35mm film.
The new Olympus Pen E-P1 is based on the four-thirds format that has a larger sensor than all the compact point and shoot cameras out in the market right now. Canon or Nikon doesn't have any camera like this out in the market at this time.
The great thing about this camera is that it has an interchangeable lens not available in most compact cameras. You can buy the optional MMF-1 to mount any existing four thirds lens. There is also and available MF-2 adapter to mount Olympus OM lenses on the camera.
Some of the exciting features of the camera are the in-body image stabilization system , multiple exposures and full manual control.
The in-body image stabilization compensates for up to four shutter speed steps in the still shooting modes with any of its interchangeable lenses.
The multiple exposure function allows you to capture multiple pictures and combine them.
Full manual control give you control of the aperture and shutter speed. Important for those who want more creative control.
Currently, there are two available lenses available, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL17mm f2.8 and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL14mm-42mm f3.5-f5.6. These lenses does not require the adaptors and are sold as a kit.
The 17mm is a prime lens, meaning it is fixed and has no zoom. It is equivalent to 34mm lens on a full frame DSLR camera.
The 14mm-42mm is a zoom lens equivalent to 28-84mm on a full frame DSLR camera. In compact camera terms, the lens has a 3.5x zoom.
Before the Olympus E-P1 came out, I was thinking of getting the Panasonic Lumix LX3. But I am having second thoughts once I heard about this camera.
If you are thinking of getting this camera, there's a couple of things you may want to know first. First of all, this is not a camera if you just want to shoot something simple. This camera is a serious camera almost like a professional level DSLR in a compact size. Here are the reasons why I say that.
First, there is no viewfinder. That may not be a big deal, but for some people it is. You can buy an optional viewfinder with you can attach to the camera.
Second, there is no flash in this camera. You have to buy a separate flash. As with any pro-level DSLR. Flash are not included as professionals prefer to have separate flash unit. You can buy an external flash unit for this or you can use any Olympus FL flash unit.
One thing to remember, you cannot use the separate viewfinder and flash together because they both go on the same hotshoe.
This looks like and excellent camera. The Olympus Pen E-P1 currently sells for $799.99 at Amazon.
Check out DPReview for full details of the camera.
The new Olympus Pen E-P1 is based on the four-thirds format that has a larger sensor than all the compact point and shoot cameras out in the market right now. Canon or Nikon doesn't have any camera like this out in the market at this time.
The great thing about this camera is that it has an interchangeable lens not available in most compact cameras. You can buy the optional MMF-1 to mount any existing four thirds lens. There is also and available MF-2 adapter to mount Olympus OM lenses on the camera.
Some of the exciting features of the camera are the in-body image stabilization system , multiple exposures and full manual control.
The in-body image stabilization compensates for up to four shutter speed steps in the still shooting modes with any of its interchangeable lenses.
The multiple exposure function allows you to capture multiple pictures and combine them.
Full manual control give you control of the aperture and shutter speed. Important for those who want more creative control.
Currently, there are two available lenses available, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL17mm f2.8 and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL14mm-42mm f3.5-f5.6. These lenses does not require the adaptors and are sold as a kit.
The 17mm is a prime lens, meaning it is fixed and has no zoom. It is equivalent to 34mm lens on a full frame DSLR camera.
The 14mm-42mm is a zoom lens equivalent to 28-84mm on a full frame DSLR camera. In compact camera terms, the lens has a 3.5x zoom.
Before the Olympus E-P1 came out, I was thinking of getting the Panasonic Lumix LX3. But I am having second thoughts once I heard about this camera.
If you are thinking of getting this camera, there's a couple of things you may want to know first. First of all, this is not a camera if you just want to shoot something simple. This camera is a serious camera almost like a professional level DSLR in a compact size. Here are the reasons why I say that.
First, there is no viewfinder. That may not be a big deal, but for some people it is. You can buy an optional viewfinder with you can attach to the camera.
Second, there is no flash in this camera. You have to buy a separate flash. As with any pro-level DSLR. Flash are not included as professionals prefer to have separate flash unit. You can buy an external flash unit for this or you can use any Olympus FL flash unit.
One thing to remember, you cannot use the separate viewfinder and flash together because they both go on the same hotshoe.
This looks like and excellent camera. The Olympus Pen E-P1 currently sells for $799.99 at Amazon.
Check out DPReview for full details of the camera.
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