Olympus' New E-PL1 Digital PEN: Steve's First Look

By: William Chambers

Early this morning Olympus announced yet another Digital PEN model, the E-PL1. This affordable new EVIL camera boasts many of the same features we enjoyed on the E-P1 and E-P2, with a few changes.

Not only is this model much less expensive at $599 US for the zoom lens kit, but it also offers a built-in, manual pop-up flash unit, and a more compact aluminium frame.






Other key features include:

• 12.3-Megapixel image sensor
• Micro Four-Thirds lens mount system
• In-camera sensor-shift IS
• SuperSonic Dust Reduction system
• 2.7-inch LCD with 230k pixels
• 720p HD video recording
• Built-in flash unit
• New Shooting Tips and Live Guide functions
• Dedicated Movie mode shutter release
  
• Offered in three stylish colors (Black, Champagne Gold and Slate Blue)

We were lucky enough to get our hands on the E-PL1 a week before the official launch, so be sure to take a peak at our E-PL1 First Look. Since this was a pre-production unit, we were not able to fully evaluate it. Check back in the coming weeks for our full conclusion and sample photos.

Along side the E-PL1 announcement, Olympus also unveiled two new mFT M.ZUIKO lenses. The ultra wide M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 (equivalent to 18-36mm) and the versatile M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 (equivalent to 28-300mm).Click Here to see the official Olympus press release.