E-P1

Looking to get the picture quality of a DSLR but not willing to deal with the added bulk? Check out Olympus’s newly announced E-P1 – the world’s smallest 12.3 megapixel interchangeable lens system camera.  No, it’s not a DSLR at all. It’s not exactly a point and shoot camera either. The EP-1 is part of the “PEN” family of cameras from Olympus which combine the optics of SLR cameras with the size and simplicity of point-and-shoot cameras.

With the E-P1, Olympus does away with the optical viewfinder and the mirror box thereby reducing the form factor of the camera body. Olympus also reduced the lens mount diameter resulting in smaller and lighter lens for the camera. The E-P1 also is the first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus – providing the same image quality as current Four Thirds format E-System cameras since it uses the same image sensor as the E-30 and E-620 DSLR models.

1461_overview1 Here’s a rundown of the features and specs to the E-P1:

  • Stainless-steel body
  • Measures 4.75 x 2.75 x 1.43 inches
  • Weighs 11.8 oz
  • Available in silver or white
  • In-body image stabilization
  • 3 inch full color  LCD display
  • Dust reduction system
  • 12 megapixel resolution with next-generation TruePic V
  • ISO 100 to ISO 6400 support
  • HD video capture with stereo audio
  • In-camera creative features for still images and video (six in-camera art filters such as Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film or Pin Hole)
  • Multiple exposures
  • Multi-aspect shooting – four aspect ratios – 4:3, 16:9, 3:2, and 6:6
  • Multimedia slideshows
  • Digital leveler
  • Magnified focus assist
  • 18 x 18 metering modes
  • Record in uncompressed 16 bit/44.1 kHz Linear PCM
  • 19 automatic scene modes

Sounds great – what about pricing and availability? Well the E-P1 will be available next month (July) with the following price configurations:

  • E-P1 Body Estimated Street Price: $749.99
  • E-P1 Body with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $799.99
  • E-P1 Body with ED 17mm f2.8 with optical viewfinder Estimated Street Price: $899.99

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