Micro 4/3 - Olympus E-P1

Now for something totally different! The EP-1 uses the Micro 4/3 format and is the smallest interchangeable-lens camera available. It looks rather like a rangefinder camera, but its not. Its totally electronic camera, basically with the optical mirror and viewfinder replaced with a totally electronic viewfinder. It takes 12.3 Megapixel images on standard 4/3 image-stabilized sensor (the same sensor used in the E-30), but uses smaller micro 4/3 lenses (because of its small size). It actually improves on the standard Olympus bodies in some respects, having a lighter low-pass filter and TruePic V image processor, which is stated to give increased sharpness and better high-ISO performance.

It not only takes SLR quality still images, it can also record HD video (720p). The camera, as rented from us comes with the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Micro 4/3 zoom lens. It also accepts the Micro 4/3 17mm pancake lens and Panasonic Micro 4/3 mount 45-200 lens if you need a bit of telephoto range. The optional MMF-1 adapter allows existing 4/3 lenses to be mounted on the EP-1, although they will seem huge and autofocus is not always great with them. It does NOT have a built-in viewfinder, focusing and composing is done in Live-view on the LCD screen. It accepts the new FL-14 flash .

Roger’s Quick Take: OK, we’ve had these for about 4 hours, but they just rock. I actually had to make everybody get back to work as one person after another started playing with them. Everyone except me had to go back to work, that is. I had to test it. Strictly for business reasons, of course. In fact, I’d appreciate it if only 3 of you would rent these, since we only have 4 copies at this point. For purely scientific reasons one of them should remain here for further testing.

Roger’s longer take: OK, I’ve spent most of the last 48 hours using the PEN with both the 14-42mm and 17mm lenses, and with some standard 4/3 lenses on an adapter. And I’ll state on the front end, I’m not very impartial. I’ve been pumped up about the Micro 4/3 option since the were introduced, took the Panasonic G1 (the Panasonic version of Micro 4/3) on vacation a couple of weeks ago, and have been waiting for the PEN to arrive for months. So here’s my thoughts:

• First, it is totally small and ‘overcoat pocketable’, smaller than some large point-and-shoots. Especially with the 17mm lens mounted.
• I was concerned about having to use the LCD in sunlight since there is no viewfinder, but Olympus has done this really well: the LCD brightens automatically and even in strong summer sun I could see everything fine unless the sun was glaring over my shoulder on the viewfinder. I’ll admit, though, I’m still not really comfortable with not having any viewfinder at all, and the little clip on thingie for the 17mm isn’t useful for anything other than framing.
• The autofocus is reasonably quick, the automatic “zoom in” manual focus feature works exceptionally well (every other manufacturer will be copying this soon).
• Both the 14-42mm and 17mm lenses I would describe as ‘adequate’. They are OK, similar to good consumer grade zooms, but even the 17mm I wouldn’t call a pro lens. I don’t think this is an awful thing, really, because in my mind I consider this a carry-around second camera and its awesome for that.
• The Panasonic 45-200mm lens worked flawlessly on the PEN with IS turned off.
• While the adapters are nice to have. Even a small standard 4/3 lens seems huge on this camera, especially after you dismount the micro 4/3 lens. If I’m going to carry around a big lens, I’ll probably carry around a standard SLR camera. But the Leica and Nikon adapters may change my mind—-I’ll use some of those small, excellent prime lenses. I had NO trouble getting a number of 4/3 lenses to autofocus accurately with the adapter. None at all.
• Image quality, at a quick take is similar to other Olympus 4/3 cameras.

All-in-all its everything I hoped for – but I had reasonable expectations: I wanted a fun, convenient camera with SLR like image quality. Not an SLR replacement.

Works well with:
Leica M mount lenses with a Leica to Micro 4/3 adapter
Olympus 4/3 to Micro 4/3 adapter

Item Includes:
- Olympus E-P1 Camera Body
- Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 “kit” lens
- Body Cap
- Strap
- Battery
- Charger
- Manual or Cheat Sheet
- Camera Bag