Olympus E PL1 (14-42mm Lens)

Olympus E PL1 (14-42mm Lens) Specifications

Dimension

• Width
  115 mm
• Height
  72 mm
• Weight
  334 g
• Length
  42 mm

Pixels

• Mega Pixel
  12.3 MP

Lens

• Auto Focus
  TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual Available on the external flash
• Manual Focus
  Yes
• Lens Type
  Micro Four Thirds Mount

LCD

• LCD Size
  HyperCrystal LCD,2.7 inch
• ViewFinder
  EVF

Flash

• Built in Flash
  Yes
• Flash Modes
  Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
• External Flash
  Yes

Image

• Image Format
  RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, JPEG+RAW
• Video Format
  AVI Motion JPEG

Interface

• USB Cable
  USB 2.0

Memory

• Upgradeable Memory
  Yes

Sensor

• Sensor Type
  High-Speed Live MOS Sensor
• Sensor Size
  4/3 inches

Shutter Speed

• Minimum Shutter Speed
  60 sec

Battery

• Battery Type
  Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery BLS-1

Additional Features

• White Balancing
  Auto WB, 8 Preset WBs, Custom WB (colour temperature registerable), One-touch WB
• Continuous Shots
  Continuous shooting mode: Approx. 290 shots
• Red Eye Reduction
  Yes
• Self Timer
  Yes, 2 and 12 sec
• Face Detection
  Yes
• ISO Rating
  Auto ISO (200 - 3200), Manual ISO (100 - 3200), 1/3 or 1 EV steps
• Shooting Modes
  Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer
• Image Display Resolution
  230000 dots
• Dust Reduction
  Yes
• Metering
  multi, Center, Spot
• Image Sizing
  4032 x 3024
• Sync Terminal
  1/160 sec
• HDMI
  Yes
• Image Stabilizer
  Yes

Olympus E PL1 (14-42mm Lens) Review

 Olympus E PL1 (14-42mm Lens) easily offers all the core functionalities of a DSLR without very severe complexity. This device becomes the first member of the PEN series to feature an in-built flash which is implemented in neat fashion with a turn over design and raises the flash above the eye level to reduce the red eye effect. The new Live Guide is another beginner-friendly addition that makes understanding and changing apertures and shutter speeds to achieve creative effects very straight-forward indeed - simply move the slider and observe the effects live on the LCD screen. Other key changes include using the navigation pad to change most of the camera's key settings and the removal of more advanced buttons like AEL and ISO, which makes this device more suitable to efficient experienced users rather than beginners. E-PL1 can record high-resolution HD 720p 1280x720 movies in the 16:9 aspect ratio and standard VGA 640x480 movies in the 4:3 aspect ratio, both using the AVI Motion JPEG format at 30 frames per second. The Movie mode is accessed either by selecting the Movie option on the shooting mode dial and then pressing the shutter button to begin recording, or much more conveniently with a single press of the new one-touch Motion Picture button on the rear of the camera. E-PL1 has an 11-point contrast detection auto-focus system, which is automatically increased to 25 points when Face Detection is turned on. With a non high-speed contrast AF lens mounted, the camera defaults to Manual Focus mode even if Auto Focus is selected. The lens that mounts this device is 14-42mm equivalent, which is fairly efficient for landscapic views.

The more modern styling of Olympus E-PL1 is a lot more neutral than the overtly retro design of E-P1 and E-P2 and will mostly appeal to the younger and more inexperienced audience that this model is aimed at. Our black review sample with silver metal accents looked quite stylish in an understated kind of way, although it lacks the more cohesive design of its predecessors. There's a generous, textured black plastic hand-grip on the left-front of the camera which I prefer to the original E-P1, and a shiny black panel on the rear where most of the controls are located. The E-PL1 is better constructed than you'd expect given its relatively small size, light weight and budget price-tag, certainly on a par with most entry- and mid-level DSLRs. The BLS1 battery which provides up to 500 shots under the CIPA testing standard (note that this drop to 280 images if using Live View all the time) is housed next to the SD slot, both protected by a plastic lockable cover. Also found on the bottom of the camera is a metal tripod mount located almost in the centre of the camera body, although not in line with the lens. A super DSLR, two words that can describe this whole camera.