Olympus PEN E-P1 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds DSLR Camera

Olympus PEN E-P1 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Main View

The Olympus E-P1 marks the formal introduction of the Olympus Micro Four Thirds (4/3) camera system in the form of a high-quality, sub-compact digital camera. Designed around a 12.3-megapixel (17.3 x 13mm) Live MOS imaging sensor, the E-P1 enables pro-quality still and video imaging abilities in a small, unassuming package. Along with a new line of compact M.Zuiko Digital lenses, the new system is compatible with all existing 4/3-format fixed-prime and zoom lenses from 7mm through 800mm (114° to 1.5° AOV).

Olympus PEN E-P1 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Front View

Clad in ergonomically-designed stainless-steel body panels, the Olympus E-P1 takes many design queues from the Olympus Pen F, a popular half-frame SLR that made its initial debut in 1959. But unlike the original Pen F, the E-P1 has the ability to produce vividly-detailed still photographs and HD video with stereo sound, both of which can be enhanced post-capture using the E-P1's advanced in-camera retouching and audio dubbing tools.

Olympus PEN E-P1 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Back LCD View

Essentially a 4/3-format DSLR minus the prism and mirror housing (hence the smaller body size), images can be composed and edited using the E-P1's 3" HyperCrystal LCD, which features anti-reflective coatings on its surface to enable live viewing of 100% of the image area under the brightest of lighting conditions. When shooting in manual focus, a 5x magnification of the center of the frame pops up as a focusing aid each time you adjust the focusing ring. (This magnification can be can be manually increased up to 10x)

This kit includes a compact 14-42mm M.Zuiko Digital zoom lens, which with an angle-of-view of 74-28.5 degrees, is an equivalent to a 28-85mm lens on a full-frame DSLR.

Other features found on the Olympus E-P1 include Dust Reduction technology, in-camera Image Stabilization, which enables low-light hand-held shooting with all 4/3-system lenses, advanced shooting modes, and creative post-capture editing tools.

Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
A mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) or electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens (MILC), Micro, or Digital Interchangeable Lens system camera is an emerging class of intermediate size digital cameras, between Digital Camera Review by Gene Wrights and digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs). They are have large sensors (the same size as entry-level DSLRs), no mirror, and interchangeable lenses, as the name suggests, and provide DSLR-quality pictures in a significantly smaller camera.

Towards the end of 2008, the Micro Four Thirds system became the latest camera system to compete with DSLRs. The Micro Four Thirds system shares the same sensor size as the original Four Thirds System, but does not use a mirror system and is therefore able to reduce the focal-distance between the lens and sensor. Micro Four Thirds cameras substitute an electronic viewfinder with the same eye level relief, mimicking the viewfinder operation of DSLRs. All seven four thirds cameras also feature a rear LCD-screen, which serves as both a live-preview and playback monitor. Panasonic released the first Micro Four Thirds camera, the Lumix DMC-G1, and later released the Lumix DMC-GH1, which added a Full-HD movie-mode (1080, 24p). Several manufacturers have announced lenses for the new Micro Four Thirds mount, while older Four Thirds lenses can be mounted with an adapter (a mechanical spacer with front and rear electrical connectors and its own internal firmware).

As of October 2010, there are thirteen (MILC) cameras available from four manufacturers (Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony), (three from Olympus, four from Panasonic, two from Samsung, and four from Sony), and some similar cameras from other manufacturers (Leica, Ricoh).

A handful of rangefinder cameras support interchangeable lenses. Three digital rangefinders exist, they are the Epson R-D1 (APS-C-sized sensor), the Leica M8 (APS-H-sized sensor), both smaller than 35 mm film rangefinder cameras, and the Leica M9, which is a full-frame camera.

Compact Design with Pro-system Capabilities
The Olympus E-P1 combines the casual, easy-to-use persona of a pocket-size point-and-shoot camera with the imaging capabilities of a pro-level DSLR. As an extension of Olympus' proven 4/3 imaging system, the E-P1 can shoot casual stills and video as well as complex imagery with equal ease and precision

High-Definition Stills and Video
The Olympus E-P1 enables high-definition capture of still and video images while maintaining full auto-focus functionality and image stabilization with all 4/3-format optics. And unlike video-enabled DSLRs, the Olympus E-P1 maintains full AF in video mode

12.3 MP 4/3-Format Live MOS Sensor
The E-P1 utilizes the same 12.3-megapixel Live MOS imaging sensor used in Olympus' 4/3-format DSLRs. Measuring 17.3 x 13mm, this sensor is half the size of 'full-frame' DSLR sensors (2x crop factor), but far larger than comparably-sized digital cameras, all of which lack the option of lens interchangeability

Compatible with all 4/3-System Lenses
Aside from the physically smaller M.Zuiko Digital lenses, the Olympus E-P1 is also compatible with all FourThird-format lenses, which enables you to take advantage of one of the widest angle-of-view (AOV) selections available today (114° to 1.5° AOV, or 14 to 800mm)

Live View Mode
Live View enables real-time viewing of your still and video images as you compose and capture them

Advanced, Pro-Quality Autofocus & Metering System
The camera's 11-point Imager AF autofocusing system ensures quick and accurate focusing under all lighting conditions. For equally accurate metering, the Olympus E-P1 utilizes a 324 segment ESP metering system. There's also the option of selecting Spot or Center-weighted metering as desired

In-Body Image Stabilization
An in-camera stabilization system allows for up to 4-stops EV of movement compensation with all 4/3 and Micro-4/3 format lenses

Dust Reduction
Olympus' Dust Reduction, which runs an ultrasonic cleaning cycle each time you power up the camera, helps keep dust particles out of the image path

Advanced Shooting and Post-Capture Editing Modes
Advanced shooting modes, including ePortrait for optimized portrait photography, iAUTO for decision-free shooting under most common shooting conditions, Shadow Adjustment Technology (SAT) for optimizing highlight and shadow details, and Art Filters (Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, and Pin Hole) are easily employed as needed. Other post-capture editing features include sound dubbing (in stereo) for still and video images

High-Quality Stereo PCM Audio
You can record video with linear, non-compressed sound, as well as add sound to images post-capture

Manual Focus Assist
When shooting in Manual Focus mode (MF) a 5x close-up of the center of the image is superimposed into a box at the center of the screen to aid in fine focusing. This magnification can be increased up to 10x magnification

• Olympus E-P1 Pen Digital Camera w/ 14-42mm M.Zuiko Digital Lens M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42/3.5-5.6 Lens w/ Front & Rear Caps
• BLS-1 Battery
• BSCS-1 Battery Charger
• USB/Video Multi Cable
• Shoulder Strap
• Olympus Master CD-Rom
• Manual
• 1-year Warranty