Olympus E-PL1

Way back in the mists of time during the Jurrasic film era, the family camera - taken out for holidays, birthdays and vacations then safely tucked away in storage - used a low quality format. Compared to the higher rez 35mm output, 110 was a sad, grainy, unsharp user experience.


At some point, after manufacturers had sold a 110 camera to everyone who wanted one, a company finally came out with a 35mm compact camera aimed at this demographic. I don't know whixch specific model it was, or which manufacturer produced it, but within no time all those family cameras were 35mm with greatly increased quality.

The new Olympus E-PL1 is that camera for the digital age.

Here is a photo of the sensor in the E-PL1 compared to one of the small sensors from your typical point and shoot camera..

It's not the feature list, it's not the size of the camera, it's the jump in quality coupled with a new digital age interface that makes this camera significant. This is the new family camera for the digital age. It may not be down to mass market level pricing yet, but make no mistake, that's where things are headed and Olympus got there first.


The new interface sells the camera. I have a document, that unfortuantely is embargoed for online distibution, that shows a comparison of screen shots of DSLR interfaces from Nikon, Canon and Sony comparing a simple function like changing the shutter speed. While the others are a mass of numerical scales and a jumble of symbols requiring deciphering, the E-PL1 is an elegantly simple experience using straight forward language.

A simple slider off to the side with 'Blurred Motion' at the top and 'Stop Motion' at the bottom controls this function. Button presses on the 4 way controller dial in a higher or lower shutter speed, depending which way you move it, without confusing numerical values intruding on the process. Since this is a digital interface, as oppossed to the analogue numerical ones, the image on the screen previews the effect for you.

At the demo the rep set up a bobble head doll and used it to show how the rear screen would preview the effect of the shutter speed changes, actually stopping the motion of the doll head or showing streaking depending on which way you slid the slider.

Olympus should include this doll with their sales kits to stores because an awful lot of lightbulbs are going to be turning on in people's heads when they see this in action.

And this same interface, with preview on the screen, with a simple slider mechanism as controller can be used for the Change Colour Saturation, Change Colour image, Change Brightness, Blur Background, Express Motions functions labelled in straight forward descriptive labels - although the Express Motions is slightly obscure - with preview of the effect on the screen.

DPReview may have a problem with the button presses, I frankly didn't see anything amiss with it's implementation. And as a 30 yr. pro photographer, I also didn't see anything that would hold you back from acessing all the controls you might need for a higher level of shooting as well. Some of the sliders have a small arrow in the centre, clicking on this brings out more hidden sliders for further customization.

It's an interface that isn't in your face, allowing people to just concentrate on taking pictures without the distraftion of multiple nemerical scales, symbols and distractions. Perfect for the family camera. I think your point and shooter is really going to appreciate the direct simplicity of operating this camera, while your more advanced user will find enough customization to cover most circumstances you are likely to be using this camera to shoot.

In the hand it is a light weight unit, noticeably lighter than the E-P2, with a surer grip than the Pens. Focusing seemed comparable, I thought it was possibly a little faster than my E-P1, but whether or not it is, suffice to say it's in the same ballpark as the higher models. It is slightly thicker, less svelte than the Pen.

Unfortunately the two new lenses weren't included in the tour. Olympus has increased the focusing speed by switching to internal focusing which means a smaller, lighter internal element is used instead of the larger, heavier front element in other m4/3's lens designs. Anecdotal evidence indicates that this has yielded a significant increase in focus speed, according to those who have used the new lenses.

The new E-PL1 may not be what the enthusiast market was champing at the bit to get, but I'm predicting these cameras are going to sell by the boatload.

At the demo, ranged across the table were an inovative, simplified entry E-PL1, the more sophisticated E-P1&2, higher performance regular M4/3's E620, and the fellow beside me was shooting this setup with a pro level E30. That's pretty good coverage of the entire market, and when you add in the Panasonic entries the solid footprint Panasonic and Olympus have established in just a couple years with m4/3's is truly impressive.

I think Canon and Nikon really have their work cut out for them to catch this system now.