Olympus PEN E-PL1

Recording Options (6.00)

Olympus uses the Motion JPEG compression system on the E-PL1 to record HD video. Motion JPEG, or MJPEG, is commonly found on point-and-shoot digital cameras that have video modes. The compression system is very basic and widely compatible with editing software and media players (the E-PL1 saves video files in the .avi format). We’re not crazy about MJPEG compression for HD video because we don’t feel it can deliver the quality that something like AVCHD compression is capable of.

The E-PL1 has two record modes: an HD option that captures a 1280 × 720 video image and a standard definition setting that records using a 640 × 480 resolution. The maximum record time for a single clip is 7 minutes in HD mode and 14 minutes in the SD mode. File sizes are also limited to 2GB. Find out how the PEN E-PL1 performed in our video image quality test.

Format	Resolution	Codec
HD	1280 x 720	Motion JPEG
SD	640 x 480	Motion JPEG

Video Controls (6.40)

We’re happy to see Olympus include options for shutter speed control, ISO, aperture, and exposure on the E-PL1’s video mode. The camera has far more manual options in video mode than its predecessor, the E-P1 (it only had an aperture-priority mode and exposure control). Unfortunately, none of the manual controls—not even exposure—can be adjusted while recording is taking place. All settings must be made prior to pressing the record button (you can adjust focus manually during recording, however).

You can record video on the E-PL1 in any of the camera’s shooting modes. The only mode that allows you to set manual controls for videos, however, is movie mode. If you record in any other mode the camera will revert to automatic settings — even if you’ve set things like aperture or shutter speed for your photos.

Auto Controls

Since the Olympus E-PL1 isn’t a full-fledged DSLR, the camera is able to offer a continual autofocus system. This means the camera can automatically focus during recording without the touch of a button. The focus system isn’t fantastic, however, which is what we’re accustomed to seeing from Micro Four Thirds cameras that have a live autofocus option. The autofocus is noisy, slow (it can take 2-3 seconds to focus properly), and it occasionally alters the exposure levels and color temperature for a moment while focusing.

The auto exposure system on the E-PL1 is also not a highlight of the camera. When moving from different light levels the camera’s auto exposure provides no gradual transition whatsoever. Perhaps some users will like this quick, snap-like exposure change, but it seemed jarring to us.

Zoom

The zoom and zoom controls for the E-PL1 entirely depend on what kind of lens you have attached to the camera. The kit lens is a 14 – 42mm lens, which means it has a 3x optical zoom. The zoom for this lens is adjusted by rotating the large ring on the middle of the lens (the outer ring adjusts focus).

Focus

The E-PL1 has a number of autofocus modes, which we discussed in the Auto Mode section above. You can also set focus manually using the outermost lens ring on the camera. Using manual focus is preferable when recording videos as it doesn’t have any of the issues associated with the autofocus system. Manual focus is also one of the few features that can be adjusted while recording is taking place.

Exposure Controls

Exposure, aperture, and shutter speed can all be set manually on the E-PL1 in video mode. Exposure can be set manually when the camera is in program or aperture-priority mode. Obviously, aperture can be set in aperture-priority mode, but it can also be set independently from shutter speed in manual mode. Shutter speed can only be set manually in manual mode. The camera offers a good range of aperture, shutter speed, and exposure adjustment — just look at the table above to see the full list of available settings in video mode.

Other Controls

ISO (which is called ‘gain’ on camcorders) can also be set manually when the E-PL1 is in manual video mode. The camera doesn’t have the same ISO range that is available for its still images, but it still has quite a few options (ranging from ISO 200 to 1600).

The camera also has a few Art modes for recording video, including: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, and Gentle Sepia. These modes differ as to what they do, but many of them allow you to record at very low shutter speeds (like Pin Hole mode). You can adjust exposure manually in each of these modes, but ISO, aperture, and shutter speed cannot be set when using any Art mode.

The E-PL1 has three image stabilization settings in video mode—Auto IS, Vertical IS, and Horizontal IS. We did not test the performance of these stabilization settings for video, but we did test how well the camera’s image stabilization worked for taking photos.

Audio Features (2.25)

The Olympus E-PL1 has a tiny built-in microphone that is mounted on the top of the camera. The mic can record stereo audio, which is a plus, but it also picks up plenty of operational noises when you rotate the lens, use the autofocus system, or press buttons on the back of the camera. As far as audio features go, the E-PL1 doesn’t really have any — except for an option to turn audio recording off if you so desire.

Let’s face it, if you want clean audio you shouldn’t be using the built-in mic on the E-PL1 or any video-capable DSLR. Olympus does offer an external stereo mic that fits into the hot shoe and accessory port ($90), but we did not have the opportunity to test this accessory.