Manufacturer's Description

The Olympus Pen: the 3rd generation
A small camera with big results. Building on the success of the E-P1 and E-P2 Digital Pen cameras, based on the original series design by Yoshihisa Maitani that sold over 17 million units worldwide, in the E-PL1 Olympus once again provides DSLR image quality in convenient compact size for anyone finding DSLRs too complicated.

The future is mirror-less
The removal of the mirror box in the 21st century has brought the legendary Pen series back. Mirror-less construction is the foundation for the stunning design and remarkably compact size of the E-P1, voted EISA’s 2009/2010 ‘Best Camera of the Year’, the black bodied E-P2 and new, even more user friendly E-PL1.

Everyone will fall in love with the camera's irresistible retro looks. The E-PL1 remains reminiscent of the classic Olympus Pens, which were cherished for their compactness, usability, and affordable price. Five decades later, the E-PL1 continues to honour the memory of its famous forefathers and hails the beginning of the next generation of the digital era.

The Live Guide feature will help you
take your best ever photos. View larger.

In addition to the inherent advantages of Olympus imaging technology, the new ultra-compact hybrid device is able to record HD quality movies with sound and utilise the same stunning creative effects that can be applied to still photographs.

Miniature optics, maximum brilliance
Thanks to the mirror-less construction, the flange back is half the distance from the sensor when compared with standard Four Thirds cameras. As with its E-P1 and E-P2 siblings, this has enabled Olympus to make the E-PL1 significantly thinner and more compact.

Live Guide on-board instruction
Helping you to take your best ever photos is the new Live Guide feature, explaining in plain, easy to follow terms how to adjust the likes of depth of field. Creative choices can be monitored on the E-PL1’s 2.7 inch LCD, while a further aid is provided by i-Enhance that makes sure colours are depicted as rich and vivid. Coupled with this is iAuto mode that recognises the scene or subject before the lens and automatically selects the best setting for optimum results.

A first for the Digital Pen range,
the E-PL1 now adds the convenience
of an integrated flash.
View larger.

Integral flash now included
In a first for the Digital Pen range, the user friendly E-PL1 now adds the convenience of integrated flash.

High ISO shooting: ISO 3200
The E-PL1's high ISO sensitivity allows you to capture low light subjects using available light without the need for a tripod (e.g. birthday parties and night scenes) due to the faster shutter speeds. Superior image quality is achievable even at this maximum setting thanks to the Olympus Pen E-PL1's state-of-the-art TruePic V engine.

Image Stabilisation
Regardless of which lens you use, the built-in IS system effectively counters camera shake. A gyro sensor detects the precise direction of the shake, and using the on-board Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD), the image sensor shifts to compensate for this movement. The maximum effectiveness of IS system is 3 EV (exposure value) steps.

High image quality
Producing clear images and rich colour the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses continue the high performance of the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, while a newly developed TruePic V image processor realises the true potential of the system, delivering sharp images rich with colour. Now you too can realise the image quality of a DSLR in a compact and easy to use camera, plus discover the fun and expanded creative possibilities of using an interchangeable lens camera system.

Newly developed compact dust reduction system
Dust entering digital cameras with interchangeable lenses can cause damage to photos. The Supersonic Wave Filter (SSWF) is a transparent filter located between the camera's shutter and sensor. It shakes off settled dust particles by generating a series of ultrasonic vibrations. Olympus was the first to incorporate dust protection.

Effortless handling and full control
The newly developed Live Control interface ensures effortless operation: it is incredibly easy to use and the effects of selected functions can be viewed immediately on the 6.9 cm / 2.7 inch HyperCrystal LCD. In addition to easy focusing for sharp and crisp shots, there’s the scene or subject recognising i-Auto, e-Portrait, a practical option that smooths away wrinkles and eliminates imperfections and blemishes, plus new colour-boosting i-Enhance function. SD card compatibility eliminates concerns about storage by providing ample space for recorded images and movies as well as convenient file storage and picture transfer.

Turn your memories into works of art
with a choice of six Art Filters.View larger.

Creative Magic: Art Filters
Turn your memories into works of art. A choice of six Art Filters, including new Diorama and Gentle Sepia options, are available to instantly give both your images and movies a unique look and feel. Just select the desired Art Filter before taking a picture or shooting a movie, the effect is then shown directly on the LCD in Live View Mode.
Diorama: Accessible in both still and HD movie mode, the Diorama Art Filter can be used to take photos that give the viewer the illusion that they're looking at the world in miniature, as if part of a model village.
Gentle Sepia: Providing your images with a touch of retro class courtesy of a muted soft tone with a dark edge.
Pop Art: Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid to create high-impact pictures in the style of Pop Art.
Soft Focus: Creates a soft tone, which gives pictures an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere without obscuring details such as hair or flower petals.
Grainy Film: Recreates the effect of grainy, high-contrast monochrome pictures. The strong presence and dramatic atmosphere amplify the impact of the subject.
Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness like an image seen through a pinhole camera. Added to this is a unique colour tone and the results have an air of secrecy or otherworldliness.

Multi Aspect
Choose from four different aspect ratios that enable specific framing of scenes. These provide a new means of adding expression to shots and the selected ratio can be seen directly on the camera's LCD. The available aspect ratios are 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, and 6:6.

HD Movies
High-definition video (HD video) mode delivers high-quality movies with sound at a resolution of 1280x720 pixels (or standard definition 640x480) both at 30 frames per second. Also control depth of field and utilise Art Filters when shooting movies. An HDMI TV interface also allows the E-PL1 to be connected to your HD TV set for reviewing movies and slideshows.

Available in a choice of Black, White, Champagne or Red.