Olympus EP-1 DSLR Quality in a Digi Cam Body
Despite Size And Ease Of Use, The Olympus EP-1 Is A Serious Camera
Jun 18, 2009
The new Olympus EP-1 pays tribute to its distinguished predecessor originally designed by renowned style guru Yoshihisa Maitani in 1959. The original Pen embodied a combination of simplicity, style and performance and Olympus seeks to recreate this in the digital era with their EP-1.
The classic styling of the original Olympus PEN translates into the 21st century with little change. It is still a smooth flowing metal body with a black hand grip that adds functionality as well as providing a visual balance to the lens and LCD screen. The visual keys to an iconic film camera reinforces the message that the Olympus EP-1 is a serious camera from accompany with a long history of producing quality and innovative cameras and lenses. The smooth styling of the EP-1’s exterior makes it easy to slip in and out of pockets, as there are no sharp edges or protrusions to snag.
Olympus used their expertise in miniaturization and engineering to fit a12 Megapixel sensor from their DSLR range into a slimmer body by removing the optical viewfinder, and mirror box. The result is a small high-quality interchangeable lens camera. Reducing its lens mount diameter, as part of the new micro four-thirds lens specification allowed smaller and lighter lenses to match the E-P1’s body size.
Who will use the Olympus EP-1
Depth and weight are about half that of typical DSLRs and although the width and height are comparable, due to the generously sized LCD screen and well laid controls on the body of the EP-1. Combined with the Zuiko 17mm pancake lens the Olympus EP-1 should easily slip into pockets and bags, making it ideal for people on the move.
“The E-P1 is designed for the mobile, visual generation that lives active lives online and off, and its portability ensures that it will go with you wherever life takes you,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc.
A small group of user could be professional photographers and photojournalists seeking a compact unobtrusive camera for occasions when a professional DSLR such as the Olympus E3 may be too conspicuous. The high quality DSLR sensor and lens compatibility means picture quality will not suffer. Pros like to carry at least two cameras on assignment and the Olympus EP-1 makes perfect backup body, easily tucking into a small bag or photo vest pocket without restricting the photographer’s movement.
Wide Range of Lenses
The release of the Olympus EP-1 is good news for Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 digital cameras, as they share the new micro four-thirds lens standard. The Olympus EP-1 is a solid commitment by a company with a long-standing lens manufacturing capability, suggesting the range of the micro four-thirds lenses continues to grow.
Olympus offers two adaptors for the EP-1 allowing it to use current four-thirds full size lenses and legacy OM lenses.
ISO and Noise Performance
This is a key indicator of camera performance and the relatively large sensor in the EP-1 gives it a huge image quality advantage over other compact digital cameras. The noise performance data from the independent test by DXO in the graph below suggest the EP-1 is a far better performer than the highly regarded Canon G10 compact digi cam. The EP-1 is not far behind the Olympus E3, their top of the line professional model. Data came from the Panasonic DMC-G1 as it uses the same sensor and is micro four-thirds camera because DXO a production EP-1is not yet available for independent testing.
Video
Video recording time is about 14 minutes in Standard Definition mode, and 7 minutes in High Definition according to Olympus.
Battery
A Li Ion battery powers the Olympus EP-1 and is good for about 300 images according to Olympus testing. Not a great number by pro DSLR standards but a smaller battery is the price the price you pay a compact camera without a standard optical viewfinder. The similar Olympus E-620 compact DSLR is rated for 700 images using the optical viewfinder. For serous users and travelers spare battery packs are a solution to this problem.
Image Stabilization
The EP-1 comes with a number of options for image stabilization including their excellent sensor shift technology from their DSLR range. This is not available for video recording and there Olympus says the EP-1 uses Electronic Image Shifting (Digital IS).
Image stabilization is perhaps more important for compact cameras without a proper viewfinder as using an eye level viewfinder allows photographers to steady the camera against their forehead. Olympus offer an accessory optical viewfinder that clips onto the top of the body.
Shutter Lag
Contrast detection system used for live view systems is generally not as fast as the phase detection system used normally used DSLRs. It appears most of the EP-1’s systems come from Olympus’s DSLR range any shutter lag should be small; certainly the expectation is that is far less than ordinary compact digi-cams.
Memory card
SD memory card, common readily available, and supports the high capacity required for video files.
Price and Availability
U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
The Olympus expects their EP-1 in the shops in July 2009.
E-P1 Body Estimated Street Price: $749.99
E-P1 Body with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $799.99
E-P1 Body with ED 17mm f2.8 with optical viewfinder Estimated Street Price: $899.99
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