Olympus E-P1 Compact DSLR Reviewed

Olympus’s E-P1 is a compact digital SLR (DSLR) camera based on the Micro FourThirds technology. It has a 12.3 Megapixel image sensor and gets the TruePic V image processor. The E-P1 offers ISO up to 6400, 720p video recording, Live View auto focus and a 3-inch LCD display.

Olympus E-P1 has been reviewed by several camera websites, you can see their comments after the break:

PhotographyBLOG’s comment:

the E-P1 is not just well-designed, offering the best image quality that we’ve yet seen on a Four Thirds camera. It surpasses the E-620, offering a leap forward in low-light performance, so much so that the E-P1 is the first Four Thirds camera to offer comparable quality to an APS-C DSLR, despite the smaller sensor size. Olympus have certainly made real strides here…..While the lack of an optical or electronic viewfinder won’t phase upgraders from compacts, who are used to composing a picture holding the camera at arm’s length, DSLR users will certainly miss being able to hold the camera up to their eye. The lack of a flash won’t bother the latter group, but the former will wonder why on earth a compact camera from 2009 doesn’t have a built-in flash…In addition, the E-P1 is not the fastest-focusing camera on the block, especially with the standard 14-42mm kit lens…Despite these short-comings, the Olympus EP-1 is still a very appealing and refreshingly different camera that does indeed combine the best features of compact and DSLR cameras

Ratings (out of 5)
Design     4.5
Features     4.5
Ease-of-use     4.5
Image Quality     5
Value for money     4.5

CNET’s comments:

The good: Striking design; excellent build quality; impressive photo quality; interchangeable lens support.

The bad: Sluggish autofocus; short battery life; low-resolution LCD; lacks on-camera flash and viewfinder.

The bottom line: The Olympus E-P1 is an otherwise excellent enthusiast compact camera hampered by some performance problems and the lack of a viewfinder and built-in flash.

Steves-Digcams comments:

Bottom Line – I feel Olympus has hit a home run with their new PEN series model. While there are a few things that I feel could be better (shooting performance, low-light AF performance, etc.), the list of positive aspects of this camera far out weight the negatives. With the ability to capture beautiful photos, a host of creative still and video options, pleasing HD video quality, and various accessory options, the E-P1 is one well-rounded digital camera. With an MSRP of US$799.99 as tested, the E-P1 isn’t cheap. However, for the level of sophistication, ease of use, and features/performance you are receiving, I feel it still offers a great value.