Olympus E-PL1

We expect that, if the Micro Four Thirds format is going to achieve critical mass in the marketplace, it will be with cameras like the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GF1. These two are intriguing step-up choices for point-and-shooters who want a larger sensor, faster performance and interchangeable lens flexibility, but without the bulk of a conventional SLR. Previous Micro Four Thirds entries have lacked key features expected by this audience (the pop-up-flashless E-P1 and E-P2), or failed to offer portability benefits over similarly priced SLRs (the Panasonic GH1).

The E-PL1 still involves a number of trade-offs for potential buyers. Autofocus is not as fast as a digital SLR or high-quality point and shoot, a fact that may come as an unpleasant surprise to Little League Moms and Dads. Image quality is quite good in most respects, particularly when it comes to resolution, and lingering image noise problems will probably be less of an issue than tack-sharp photos for those who aren't inclined to crop radically, blow up to enormous size or Photoshop intensively. While the E-PL1 is still big compared to a point-and-shoot, it's far more portable than a conventional SLR, and we're still impressed with the practicality and performance of Olympus' space-saving zoom lens design.

We do like to shoot with the camera at eye level, a capability missing from the default configuration, and pricey with the optional $280 EVF (which at least justifies the price to some extent by working very well). We also miss having a control dial for making fast adjustments to exposure compensation, shutter speed and aperture, but point-and-shoot upgraders may not miss what they're not used to having.

We'd like to see more in-camera editing oomph in a consumer-oriented camera, but the Art Filter effects are kind of fun, there are lots of available scene modes  and the scene-recognition-based intelligent auto shooting mode does a nice job.

All in all, we see the E-PL1 as an attractive step-up for point-and-shooters, though the relatively slow autofocus, lack of affordable eye-level shooting and limited lens compatibility makes it less appealing for SLR shooters looking to lighten their load.

Performance:
The image noise problems we associated with small Micro Four Thirds sensors are still apparent, thought we give Olympus props for improving its high ISO noise reduction processing; shots taken with the E-PL1 with NR cranked up lose a lot less detail than our E-P1 samples did. The camera's strongest suit is image sharpness, which is exceptionally strong. The white balance system didn't adjust well to changing lighting conditions, and the limited dynamic range make high-contrast scenes problematic. Burst rate shooting delivers the 3 shots per second Olympus promises, so points for truth in advertising if not for blistering speed. As for long exposure, image noise in low light knocks the score down a peg (particularly compared to standard SLRs).

Video Performance:
There are definitely better video-capable DSLRs out there than the Olympus E-PL1, but the camera did a pretty good job in our testing for a model that tops out with a 1280 x 720 video resolution. The fact that Olympus beefed up the manual control features in the camera's video mode is also a major plus. Overall, the E-PL1 is a darn good choice if you're looking to experiment with a video mode on a Micro Four Thirds camera.

Components:
The E-PL1 lacks the retro-futuristic all-metal pizzazz of the original E-P1, but it's still a good-looking, well constructed camera, and the move to a plastic body means a welcome price savings. The E-PL1 is the first of the PEN cameras with a pop-up flash, a practical and useful addition with nice,even coverage. The same accessory slot can also be used to attach an external stereo mic, an important consideration if you're going to shoot much video, since our reviewer was quite unhappy with the audio quality from the built-in mic. The LCD is an ordinary-looking 2.7-inch 230,000-dot display, but at least it stands up well to shooting on bright days.

Handling:
The size and shape of the E-PL1 provide portability without a negative impact on maneuverability; we found the camera easy to handle with one or two hands, with little danger of slippage or accidentally pressing the wrong buttons. It's the buttons and dial (or rather, lack of dial) that impairs camera handling. The buttons themselves lack a definitive "click" when they're pressed, producing a cheap feeling and concern about their longevity. As for a control dial, that's a significant flaw. The E-P1 had two dials, speeding the settings adjustment process. The E-PL1 knocks the number down to zero,, relying entirely on the four-way control buttons. This wouldn't be as bad if the settings procedures were overhauled to match the input mechanism. As it is, you have to go through illogical machinations to adjust shutter speeds and apertures, and these procedures are prone to mistakes even after you've shot with the camera for a while.

Controls:
The innovative feature here is the live guide component of the iAuto shooting mode. The live guide remains unobtrusively in the background for full-automation simplicity but, for those who want a bit more control, an overlay on the right side of the screen offers plain English options to adjust color, background sharpness, motion blur, etc. With the results of most adjustments previewed on screen as they're made, it's a successful attempt to add a layer of user control without slowing down point-and-shoot responsiveness. Beyond this, the controls are standard, with an ISO range of 100-3200, three-stop exposure bracketing, and your basic three-shots-per-second full-res burst mode.