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OLYMPUS 262855 12.3 Megapixel E-PL1 Pen Camera (Black camera body)
Compatible Mountings | Micro Four Thirds |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Supported File Format | MPEG-4 |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Maximum Focal Length | 84 Millimeters |
Optical Zoom | 1 x |
Expanded ISO Minimum | 200 |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Brand | Olympus |
About this item
- 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens digital camera; Micro Four Thirds format
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD with Live View function; Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) tracking system
- Capture HD video with high-quality audio; new "Direct Button" for easy recording
- New Live Guide interface simplifies great photography; capture images to SD/SDHC cards (not included)
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What's in the box
Product Description
Product Description
OLYMPUS 262855 12.3 Megapixel E-PL1 Pen Camera (Black camera body)
From the Manufacturer
The new Olympus PEN E-PL1 is truly greater than the sum of its parts, with a surprisingly small camera body packed with technology normally found in bigger, bulkier and heavier professional Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and High-Definition (HD) camcorders. This third-generation PEN is built for shutterbugs who always wanted better pictures and considered a DSLR, but were intimidated by the bulky size and complex interface. The new camera's simple design and easy interface enable photographers to easily create amazing images never dreamt possible.
The E-PL1 equals an affordable and powerfully simple all-in-one package that travels with you to capture life in the high quality that your memories deserve.
Easily Pen Your Story with a Brand-New PEN
This third generation of the Olympus PEN series combines powerful features in an easy-to-use package that will make capturing your life more fun. The new direct record button makes taking videos easier than ever and the new Live Guide functionality makes it simple to learn photography techniques without requiring the skills of a pro shooter.
New Direct Button for HD Movies
Recording HD movies with the E-PL1 is simple, thanks to an easy-to-reach red "direct button" (red record button) on the back of the camera body. If you're about to snap a photo and you realize a video would capture the spirit of the scene even better, simply press the record button and instantly you're capturing videos! Easily toggle back and forth between capturing stills and videos by using your index finger to press the shutter button or your thumb to press the red record button. Having the ability to shoot still images and videos opens up a world of imaging possibilities.
New Live Guide Sets the Scene Before You Shoot
The E-PL1's new Live Guide interface simplifies great photography and gets the results you desire at the touch of a button. Want more vivid or muted color in your shot? Want warmer or cooler color? Want a brighter or darker subject, or a sharper or softer background? Or maybe you want to capture the fast-moving action of your subject with a little artistic blur, or perhaps freeze the action? Simply select Live Guide and press the up and down arrows on the back of the camera to slide through numerous photographic effects. Make adjustments and watch the LCD as the effects are made live before the image is captured! Don't worry about learning technical things like f-stops, shutter speed and white balance; jump right in by composing, adjusting exposure and more before the shot is taken.
Seeing the results before snapping the image ensures you are getting the shots you want, and it will change the way you photograph. Shooting Tips are also included with Live Guide, so you can leave the manual at home.
Automate Everything
Live Guide is just the start of automated technologies on the E-PL1 designed to free you up to focus on your subjects instead of focusing on your camera's settings.
- 19 Scene-Select Modes: From portraits to sunset shots, the E-PL1 is equipped with 19 Scene-Select modes for effortless picture taking, including Fireworks, Sunset, Children, Macro and Panorama, to name a few. Capturing beautiful portraits is easy with the ePortrait Mode that enables you to smooth your subject's complexion.
- Intelligent Auto (iAuto) Mode: When you don't want to use the scene-select modes, the iAuto mode automatically identifies what you're shooting and adjusts settings for you to capture the best result depending on the situation.
- Face Detection: Reduce the chance of blurred subjects in images by recognizing up to eight faces, tracking them within the image area, and automatically focusing and optimizing exposure for sharp portraits.
- In-Camera Panorama: Capture three images and stitch them together to create one amazing, seamless panoramic picture. Or use the included OLYMPUS [ib] software to stitch up to 10 images together for the ultimate panorama.
- iEnhance: With this mode the warm yellow and orange colors of a sunset are heightened to a dramatically lifelike color that's truer to what you see with the naked eye. iEnhance can be used in any mode, and automatically engages when using iAuto to enrich color in any subject.
- Share: Just connect the camera to an HDTV with an optional HDMI cable and use your TV remote to control playback functions and navigate the camera's menus from the comfort of your personal front-row seat. The E-PL1 records to SDHC (Class 6 recommended) media cards that can be plugged directly into many devices and accommodate large files, including videos. New Powerfully Simple Pop-Up Flash
The E-PL1 is the first camera in the Olympus PEN series with a built-in pop-up flash that makes it easy to illuminate low-light subjects, reduce red-eye and fill in dark areas. The camera is also compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R, which can be controlled wirelessly by the E-PL1 so you can dynamically control lighting as your photography skills grow.
Pro-Quality Images
How do professional photographers capture the stunning images you see in the pages of glossy magazines and coffee-table books? Talent matters, of course, but you also need the right equipment. Rest assured that the E-PL1 has everything you need to produce vibrant, professional-quality images: a large image sensor, in-body Image Stabilization, Imager Autofocus, the proven Olympus Dust Reduction System and the TruePic V Image Processor.
Standard point-and-shoot sensor vs. the PEN E-PL1 sensor
Big Sensor, Not a Big Body
At the heart of the E-PL1 is a large-size image sensor that's the same sensor as the one inside the Olympus E-30 and E-620 DSLR models. The only difference between this sensor and what the pros use is that this big sensor is inside the much smaller body of the E-PL1. This high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor (eight times larger than the average point-and-shoot camera sensor) delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.
Stabilize All of Your Lenses
Instead of selling more expensive lenses that have image stabilization inside them, Olympus takes a different approach by having image stabilization built right into the body of the E-PL1. This means that any lens (Micro Four Thirds, Four Thirds and any third-party lens) attached to the E-PL1 will deliver blur-free images thanks to three modes of In-body Image Stabilization that automatically compensate for camera shake, including in low-light situations or when shooting without a tripod. Since the PEN cameras are the world's smallest interchangeable-lens cameras with image stabilization built inside the body, you can take the E-PL1 with you and capture great images, and it won't weigh you down.
Track Your Subjects Wherever They Roam
The E-PL1's Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) Tracking and Autofocus (AF) Target Registration locks your subject into focus and constantly adjusts focus and brightness whether you or your subject is moving. With this mode, a simple push of the shutter release enables you to keep moving subjects in focus--tracking them from left to right and from front to back--within the frame, automatically ensuring that even active subjects, like kids playing sports, are captured clearly.
The E-PL1's Imager Autofocus in Live View enables you to compose, focus and capture the shot quickly and easily without ever taking your eyes off the camera's large, 2.7-inch full-color, high-contrast HyperCrystal LCD for an easy, seamless viewing experience when shooting still images or videos. The LCD also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures that images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.
This Camera Leaves Others in the Dust
If you're just starting out with a camera that has interchangeable lenses, you don't have to worry about dust spots on your sensor ruining the perfect image every time you change lenses. Spend more time shooting with the E-PL1 and less time worrying about dust with the proven Olympus Dust Reduction System that produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, a patented ultrasonic technology that vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, capturing them on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on.
True-to-Life Color
The E-PL1's Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus' TruePic V Image Processor, which produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible. The image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings (ISO 100 to ISO 3200), enabling great results in low-light situations.
Easily Expand Your Creative Horizons With Built-in Effects
Express yourself with in-camera creative features. Professional images are rarely unedited images. Video and still image pros use computer-editing software to render their images with effects that set their shots apart from the pack. Olympus appreciates that you may not have hours to spend retouching your images at the computer, so the E-PL1 incorporates editing effects inside the camera to save you time. Whether you apply in-camera creative effects while shooting an image, or apply them later to images captured without the effects, all are inside the E-PL1, so you can achieve dramatic results on the go without a computer or editing software.
The E-PL1 has six in-camera Art Filters, including a new filter called Gentle Sepia. This filter gives your images and videos a soft, warm sepia cast similar to historical images from the early days of photography. The sepia tones are softer and the blacks are a true black, unlike traditional sepia images. The new filter joins Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pin Hole, Grainy Film and Diorama (the filter that makes everything look as small as the E-PL1).
With the E-PL1's Multiple Exposure function available for still image capture, you are free to tell a visual story your way. The image capture options enable you to shoot one shot, then another and combine them in real time, or capture both shots separately and combine them within the camera later. Take a shot of your significant other, and overlay your self-portrait on top to figure out what your kids will look like. If you have kids already, overlay your kid's face on top of a shot of his or her favorite cartoon character for laughs. Your ability to manipulate space and time makes this new creative multimedia device a veritable time machine.
You often can achieve greater photographic expression by framing a scene in a unique way. The E-PL1 provides four aspect ratios that serve as masks to frame your image to the desired proportions, including the standard 4:3 aspect ratio that is suited to an 8 x 10-inch enlargement; the 16:9 aspect ratio that will display beautifully on a widescreen television; and other popular aspect ratios, such as 3:2 and 6:6. The Multi-Aspect Shooting further expresses your creative vision when combined with in-camera Art Filters and Multiple Exposures.
With the E-PL1, you have your own living library of still images, HD video and audio to remix at your command. In playback mode, you can seamlessly mix stills and movies inside the camera to create a multimedia slideshow, and dub in one of three built-in dramatic background music options to provide a soundtrack for your cinematic creation. With so many creative options, there's no limit to what you can create. Choose whether or not you want to play back just pictures, just movies or a combination; also control playing back the whole movie or just a clip.
Open System Easily Grows with Your Ability
With a basic point-and-shoot camera, you get one lens built into the camera. One lens, that's it. And it's likely a small lens, which doesn't allow a lot of light through to hit the image sensor. So, you may have a difficult time in low-light conditions. And without the option of adding more lenses, you're limited to what that one point-and-shoot lens can do. The E-PL1 solves these issues by accepting a variety of lenses to maximize its functionality. Whether shooting still images or HD video, you can add everything from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super-telephoto lens for a wide range of expressive options.
The M. Zuiko Digital Micro Four Thirds lenses are designed to be more compact and portable like the E-PL1. Choose from the ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens (28-84mm equivalent in 35mm cameras) sold with the E-PL1, the ED 17mm f2.8 lens (34mm equivalent), the new super wide-angle zoom ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 lens (18-36mm equivalent) or the high-power wide to telephoto zoom ED 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens (28-300mm equivalent).
If you want to have even more options, the MMF-2 Four Thirds System Lens Adapter makes the E-PL1 compatible with all Olympus Zuiko Digital Specific lenses and other Four Thirds System lenses from Sigma, Panasonic and Leica. Olympus OM film-based lenses can be attached to the E-PL1 with the MF-2 OM Lens Adapter, and there are third-party adapters developed for lenses from most other manufacturers.
Software & Accessory Options When You're Ready
The E-PL1 incorporates an accessory port for connecting the optional VF-2 live-finder, a detachable electronic viewfinder, or the new optional SEMA-1 external microphone adapter set (which includes the EMA-1 adapter, the ME-51S stereo microphone and a cord) for those who want to capture enhanced audio with any microphone that has a 3.5mm plug. These optional accessories easily slide into the camera's accessory port and hot shoe.
Photographers who wish to hold the E-PL1 up to their eye rather than use the LCD will appreciate that the optional VF-2, which provides 1.15x magnification and a 100 percent field of view with sharp resolution, brightness and contrast. The viewfinder refreshes quickly to minimize image ghosting on fast-moving subjects. It also rotates up to 90 degrees to enable photographers to look down into it, which is useful when shooting subjects from challenging angles. The built-in diopter adjustment and high magnification offer easy viewing with and without glasses.
The E-PL1 offers OLYMPUS [ib] software that includes photography workflow, browsing, editing and unique photo-organizing functions. You can organize your photos by person with automatic face-recognition technology, by location with a Geotagging function or by event. You can easily view photos on an HDTV or on the camera's LCD with the Photo Surfing or Slideshow functions. The name [ib] stands for image bridging, image browsing and image brightening. The software will be available for Windows operating systems only.
Underwater Housing for Aquatic Adventures
The new camera's compact design makes it the perfect companion for all of your dive trips. The PT-EP01 underwater case has been specially customized for the Olympus E-PL1 and is waterproof to a depth of 40 meters (approximately 130 feet). With its durable, high-quality polycarbonate construction, this Olympus housing protects the camera from water while also cushioning it from knocks and bumps on land. The housing enables viewing from either the camera's LCD screen or an optional electronic viewfinder. The flash connectors allow optional use of up to two UFL-2 underwater flash units via fiber optic cable. A nonremovable front lens port accommodates multiple Micro Four Thirds lenses.
New Exterior Design, Same PEN DNA
The E-PL1 streamlines the Olympus Micro Four Thirds PEN series form. Thanks to its compact size (4.51" W x 2.84" H x 1.63" D excluding protrusions) and light 10.4-ounce body, the E-PL1 won't weigh you down when you're on the go.
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Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Selective single-point, Face Detection, Tracking, Multi-area, Single, Continuous, Live View, Contrast Detection |
---|---|
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Display Resolution Maximum | 230,000 |
Photo Sensor Size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 12.3 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 12.3 MP |
White balance settings | Auto |
JPEG quality level | Basic, Fine |
Camera Flash | Built-In |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Supported Image Format | JPEG |
Video Capture Format | MJPEG |
Video Capture Resolution | 720p |
Video Standard | AVI |
Batteries Required? | No |
---|---|
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
Battery Description | Lithium-Ion BLS-1 rechargeable battery & charger |
Battery Life | 290 Photos |
Removable Memory | Secure Digital Card |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Audio Input | Microphone |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 3 |
Wireless Communication Technology | optional |
Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC card |
Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
Skill Level | Professional |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
Hardware Interface | HDMI, SDHC |
Audio Output Type | internal |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Lens Type | Zoom, Telephoto |
---|---|
Optical Zoom | 1 x |
Autofocus Points | 11 |
Compatible Mountings | Micro Four Thirds |
Focus Type | Autofocus & Manual |
Maximum Focal Length | 84 Millimeters |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 3200 |
---|---|
Expanded ISO Minimum | 200 |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/2000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 60 seconds |
Exposure Control Type | Automatic |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Shooting Modes | Automatic |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic |
---|---|
Screen Size | 2.7 Inches |
Display Type | LCD |
Display Fixture Type | Fixed |
Model Name | PEN E-PL1 |
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Brand | Olympus |
Model Number | 262855 |
Customer Reviews |
3.7 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #544,556 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #4,167 in Digital Point & Shoot Cameras |
ASIN | B0037VVWBK |
Color | Black |
Included Components | Tripod, Remote, HDMI Cable, Instruction Manual |
Assembly Required | No |
Age Range (Description) | Kid |
Processor Description | Truepic V |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.53 x 1.65 x 2.83 inches |
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Item Weight | 11.84 ounces |
Read about our customers' top-rated cameras on our review page: Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, value, ease of use, and color of the digital camera. For example, they mention it's a great overall camera, does everything well as a camera, and wonderful for legacy lenses. They also like the image quality, build quality, and features. That said, some complain about the autofocus and shutter speed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the digital camera. They mention that it is a great overall camera, does everything well as a camera, and is able to produce excellent video. Some say that it's a fine workhorse, and a wonderful entry-level camera for legacy lenses. Overall, most are happy with the results and the value of the product.
"...Even though this camera is four years old now, it is still quite capable...." Read more
"...It is a nice light camera, the lenses (long and short) are likewise nice and light...." Read more
"...resolution sensors, faster auto-focus, etc but this camera does the job very well." Read more
"...The shake reduction works well as long as you remember to enter the focal length of the lens you are using in the IS menu. Controls respond quickly...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the camera. They mention it's a good product at a reasonable price.
"...The price of this camera is quite a steal...." Read more
"...This camera compliments that setup perfectly. It's cheap, great image quality, has a very handy zoom to help precise focus in MF, and has In Body..." Read more
"...I would say that this is a capable compact camera which becomes an amazing value to those who have access to (or are willing to purchase) older film..." Read more
"...But, hey, it only cost me $139, so it's an unbelievable bargain at that price! My advice: buy it!" Read more
Customers find the digital camera easy to use. They say the controls respond quickly, the grip is nice and makes the camera easy handle. Some mention that the manual controls are okay. They also say the playback review is quick and that there is almost no shutter lag when taking a picture.
"...manual mode as well as aperture priority, shutter priority, and program assist...." Read more
"...Playback review is quick but not as easy as my *ist DS. The zoom magnification is a button that you repeatedly press...." Read more
"...It's fast, easy to focus, and fits in a coat pocket...." Read more
"...The grip is very nice and makes the camera easy to handle. The built-in flash is flexible so you can face upwards to bounce the light...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the color produced by the camera. They mention that the pictures are vivid and stunning, and that the camera has a look and color that they wish could be replicated.
"...The color is very good, and the movie is handy because it's there - right under your thumb...." Read more
"...Superb colors,sharpness and gradation. In fact so much so that every shot looks artistic in itself without any post processing...." Read more
"...The pictures turn out nice and manual focusing is not a problem (even without a viewfinder)...." Read more
"...Good color, ISO range, and image stabilization on all lenses..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the image quality of the camera. They mention that it takes great pictures and has a handy zoom to help precise focus. They appreciate the video quality, saying that it's fine and can record 720p, 30fps movies.
"...The video quality is fine, and not camcorder quality, but if you use a dreamy lens no one will notice those shortcomings. * Built in flash can..." Read more
"...This camera compliments that setup perfectly. It's cheap, great image quality, has a very handy zoom to help precise focus in MF, and has In Body..." Read more
"...-excellent image quality with the right lenses...." Read more
"...The image quality is nice with the kit lens...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the build quality of the digital camera. They mention that it has a great build quality, all of the buttons and dials are solid, and there are no creaks or flimsy plastic parts. The camera has able body to go with lenses which are already well known for.
"...The camera is built very well. No creaks or flimsy plastic parts here except for the HDMI/USB connector cover...." Read more
"This is a great overall camera. It has a great build quality, all of the buttons and dials are solid. The image quality is nice with the kit lens...." Read more
"...Quality is great both in picture and build...." Read more
"...The camera is well build and light what makes it ideal to have with you at all times, but the best part is the image quality which is amazing on the..." Read more
Customers like the features of the digital camera. They say it has tons of features, lots of possibilities, and is extremely versatile as a digital back for older film lenses. Some customers also mention that it has some HDR features, but not nearly as comprehensive as GX1 or OMD.
"...Not so great for video at least if editing on mac. Lots of possibilities available if you delve patiently into the menu to set it up for easy..." Read more
"...Still, this is an early, and again, cheap, model. It has some HDR features, but not nearly as comprehensive as GX1 or OMD: only 3 stop EV..." Read more
"...-excellent image quality with the right lenses.-extremely versatile as a digital back for older film lenses, many of which can be purchased..." Read more
"...; zoom on it and it is a great everyday camera with tons of feature. Priced like a point and shoot with the features of a DSLR. Great value!" Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the focus of the camera. They mention that the autofocus can be a bit slow, and it has difficulty setting focus in extreme low light situations. The shutter speed is also a little slow by today's standards. The extreme zoom to 300 is hard to focus, especially on moving subjects. The UI and menus are also slow, it lacks a focus aim beam, and the USB download of photos and movies is pretty slow.
"...is really nasty and should be avoided. * USB download of photos and movies is pretty slow. * Movies are limited to 7 minutes. *..." Read more
"...As a result you lose infinity focus. So I'll file away these indents in the future...." Read more
"...It's fast, easy to focus, and fits in a coat pocket...." Read more
"...It also has a slower max shutter speed at 1/2000; I often find myself using 1/4000 if I'm trying to pull DoF blurring on certain objects..." Read more
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Find the lens you want, then get a camera that fits it. - In my case, it was the Panasonic 20mm f1.7
Even though this camera is four years old now, it is still quite capable.
I purchased this camera specifically to pair it with a shallow, bright lens for photos of my baby. This was purchased a few weeks before she was born, and my first photos of her were taken with it. The reason I bought this specific camera was singular: the price. The price of this camera is quite a steal. It is a little slow in the UI and menus, it doesn't have great high ISO noise performance, but when paired with some of the incredible Micro Four Thirds glass, those things cease to matter.
The Good:
* Has a full manual mode as well as aperture priority, shutter priority, and program assist. The rest of the dial is just fluff and I almost never use it.
* Can record 720p, 30fps movies. The video quality is fine, and not camcorder quality, but if you use a dreamy lens no one will notice those shortcomings.
* Built in flash can be pulled back and held in place to bounce it off of the ceiling. This is a good way to get some soft light in a pinch.
* Allows you to zoom in on a portion of the image to focus manually.
* Supports simultaneous auto and manual focus. You can half press to lock exposure and auto focus, then tweak the manual focus on the lens as the zoom focus mode automatically pops up so you can see the focus close up.
* Built in image stabilization that works with any lens (sensor shift).
The Bad:
* The 12 MP sensor might feel a bit small if you like cropping in your favorite editor.
* High ISO performance (anything above 1600) is really nasty and should be avoided.
* USB download of photos and movies is pretty slow.
* Movies are limited to 7 minutes.
* Auto focus can be a bit slow and the more modern Pen cameras have much faster auto focus (also depends on the lens)
There are no knobs or dials so that changing shutter speeds, ISO equivalents, and even focusing all require fumbling (especially in cold weather) with multiple menus and dozens of choices. Thus there is no simplification of functions just the addition of more and more functions. Fortunately there is always the "Automatic" choice. The instruction booklet is of little use so I was compelled to buy "The Olympus E-PL1 for Dummies."
Camera makers really need to take a look at the overwhelming number of choices they have put on cameras simply because the microchip can be programmed to do things that are best done with an image processing program and, for example, leave out the "panorama" setting (how often does that get used?).
Okay, that grumbling is already too much. It is a nice light camera, the lenses (long and short) are likewise nice and light. The color is very good, and the movie is handy because it's there - right under your thumb. I have managed to shoot many a few second movie I never intended because that button is right where one puts one's thumb when holding the camera. Now that Olympus is up to PL3 or so maybe the annoying features have been dealt with and there probably is no E PL3 for Dummies.