Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
The market for the DSLR is constantly evolving and reaching new consumers, as the prices fall and the acceptance of digital becomes mainstream. For Olympus, the Micro FourThirds system has paved the way for a new breed of DSLR that can offer all the benefits of a removable lens system but with the size and convenience of a compact. With Panasonic already offering the G-1 and GH-1 in the Micro FourThirds format, this is Olympus’ first model with the smaller mount, and the brand has opted to go for retro-styling with more than a nod to a popular 1950s model – the Pen.
This latest Pen uses a 13.1 megapixel sensor to deliver an effective output of 12.3 megapixels. It’s a Live MOS sensor chip, so the E-P1 has all the benefits of Live View, and the very nice 3in LCD panel makes it easy to frame your shots. Unlike a more traditional removable lens camera, there’s no viewfinder on the E-P1. You could argue that the lack of mirror and prism makes this camera a compact rather than a DSLR, but the removable lenses mean that it could be considered as either.
Olympus targets this camera at the user who may be considering a DSLR but likes the idea of a compact for convenience. The E-P1 certainly delivers on the size and convenience scales, and for the more traditional photographers it offers full manual control just like any other DSLR.
Inside the E-P1 is the TruePic V image processor that provides the power to manage image quality and performance. It also allows the E-P1 to offer full HD video capture, which at £700 with a 14-42mm Micro FourThirds lens makes it far more affordable than the Panasonic GH-1. The camera also has built-in image stabilisation, and thanks to a Supersonic Wave Filter problem dust particles that may fall onto the sensor are kept on the move.
For those that like a bit more creativity from a camera, the Pen has a number of built-in art filters. These are designed to offer effects that you would normally find on photo editing software programs, but the art filters on the E-P1 are applied in-camera. These adjustments can be carried out post-capture, and the original file is not lost.
Performance and ease of use
Using the E-P1 is very much like using a top-end compact because of the way you use the LCD to frame and view your images. The lack of a viewfinder will possibly prove a stumbling block for potential buyers that have used a more traditional DSLR, and we found it very difficult to shoot portraits on this camera because you are not looking through the camera for eye contact. That said, the EP-1 is not designed for the specialist user, so its design is orientated to ease of use where it delivers very well. Thanks to a 324-area ESP metering system, the exposures on the E-P1 are very impressive. The camera gives consistent results in a whole variety of lighting conditions. There’s no built-in flash, so you would need to invest in the FL-14 Olympus dedicated flash for the Pen if required. The lens is a really interesting design, as when not in use it condenses into a smaller form, and locks in place. This makes it easy to carry the camera around, without the lens poking out too far. Focusing is via a contrast AF system and is accurate, plus it’s also delivered at speed.
Verdict
Despite the high cost, the sheer individuality of this DSLR may well appeal to buyers. It’s not a specialist product but for family use gives full manual control as well as ease of use.
Specifications
Street price £700 (with 14-42mm lens)
Effective resolution 12.3MP
Sensor type 4/3 Live MOS sensor
Crop factor 2x
Lens mount Micro FourThirds
Exposure modes P/A/S/M
Metering modes ESP, centre-weighted average and spot
ISO range 100-6400
Shooting speed 3fps
Card type SDHC
LCD monitor size 3in
Aspect ratio 4:3
Live View Yes
Autofocus 11-point contrast
Integrated cleaning Yes
Built-in stabilisation Yes
Weight/size (wxhxd) 335g/120.5x70x35mm