Olympus Pen E-PL1 12.3-megapixel digital camera with 14-42mm zoom lens (Gold)

Features
Supplied Software

Features

Olympus PEN: In 1959, Olympus introduced the PEN, a camera with the photographic optics of an SLR (single-lens reflex) camera with the size and simplicity of a point-and-shoot camera. The PEN was re-introduced in 2009 as the fully digital E-P1 with interchangeable lenses and multimedia capabilities with simple controls. The new retro-styled E-PL1 comes in black, silver, and gold, adding a pop-up flash, new Live Guide, and a Direct Button for instantly recording HD movies. This kit includes the E-PL1 body and the M. Zuiko 14-42mm zoom lens.

M. Zuiko Digital Lens: The included M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-f/5.6 Digital ED lens fits the camera's Micro Four Thirds lens mount. The M. Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 Digital lens (item # 2791442MM) is also available for this camera. With the optional MMF-1 adapter (279MMF1), it is possible to mount any existing Four Thirds lens on this Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The optional MF-2 adapter (279MF2) allows you to mount Olympus OM mount lenses onto the E-PL1.

Image Pickup Device: The E-PL1 uses a 4/3" Live MOS sensor with approximately 13,060,000 total pixels and 12,300,000 effective pixels. This is the same sensor used in the Olympus E-30 and E-620 DSLR models, and is 8 times larger than the typical sensor found in the average point-and-shoot camera. The Live MOS sensor is complimented by Olympus' TruePic V Image Processor for clear, true-to-life images.

Dust Reduction System: The E-PL1's built-in Dust Reduction System helps to eliminate unwanted spots on your images. When you turn on the camera, the patented Supersonic Wave Filter silently vibrates, shaking off and collecting dust particles that may accumulate on the sensor.

2.7" HyperCrystal LCD: You can use the camera's 2.7" HyperCrystal LCD monitor for framing your shots and viewing your digital pictures and videos. The LCD has approximately 230,000 dots and 100% playback field of view. It also features an anti-reflective coating. You can adjust the brightness and color balance from -7 to +7.

Optional VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder: The VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder (sold separately) mounts to the camera's hot shoe. As you slide the VF-2 onto the hot shoe, it connects to the rear-mounted accessory port. The 1,440,000 dot VF-2 provides a bright clear view of your subject. The VF-2 can be tilted up to 90° for unusual viewing angles. It also has a diopter so you can adjust the viewfinder to your eyesight. It comes with a soft storage case.

Accessory Port: The accessory port, located just above the LCD monitor on the rear panel, can be used for the optional VF-2 electronic viewfinder or the optional EMA-1 external microphone adapter.

Live Guide: The easy-to-use Live Guide control allows you to see the effect of various adjustments on your shot before you take it. In the iAuto mode, the Live Guide lets you change color saturation, color image, brightness, blur background, and express motions, and see how the adjustments affect the outcome of your picture. The Live Guide also gives you framing tips, and tips for photographing children, pets, flowers, and food.

Image Recording Formats: The E-PL1 records digital still images in JPEG format, as well as RAW uncompressed images. RAW images can be processed into JPEG files in the camera or using the supplied software. You can record audio with still images in WAV format. Movies are recorded in AVI Motion JPEG with 16-bit PCM stereo audio at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate.

Still Image File Sizes: The E-PL1 allows you to shoot still images in 7 sizes with your choice of 4 compression modes. The available picture sizes in the 4:3 aspect ratio include 4032 x 3024, 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. The 4:3 image sizes can each be trimmed to produce images in 16:9, 3:2, or 6:6 aspect ratios. Compression modes available for each picture resolution are Super Fine (1/2.7 compression), Fine (1/4), Normal (1/8), and Basic (1/12). RAW images can be recorded only in 4032 x 3024 resolution with loss-less compression (approximately 1/1.5 compression).

Movie Modes: There are two movie modes from which to choose. High Definition movies are recorded at 1280 x 720 (16:9), while Standard Definition movies are recorded at 640 x 480 (4:3). HD movies have a compression rate of 1/12, while SD movies have a 1/8 compression rate. All movies are recorded at 30 frames per second, with a maximum file size of 2 GB (limited by the AVI format). Maximum recording time is 7 minutes for HD movies and 14 minutes for SD movies.

Direct Button: The E-PL1 includes an easy-to-reach red "direct button" on the back of the camera body for instantly recording HD movies. If you are shooting still images and decide to start recording video, a simple press of the record button automatically puts you in the movie record mode. You can easily toggle between still and movie recording using the shutter button and the direct button.

Recording Media: Still images and movies with sound are recorded on SD and SDHC memory cards. (Class 6 cards are recommended for movie shooting.)

Image Stabilization: The E-PL1 utilizes mechanical (sensor shift-type) image stabilization to automatically compensate for camera shake in low-light situations or when using a telephoto lens. You can choose from the following stabilization modes:

• I.S. 1: Image stabilizer on
• I.S. 2: Image stabilization applies only to vertical camera shake. Use when panning horizontally.
• I.S. 3: Image stabilization applies only to horizontal camera shake. Use when panning the camera horizontally with the camera held in portrait orientation.
• Off: Image stabilizer is off.

Shooting Modes: Using the top-mounted Mode Dial, you can choose from 3 Easy Shooting Modes, 4 Advanced Shooting Modes, and Movie Mode:

• Easy Shooting Modes:
  • iAuto: A full auto mode in which the camera automatically optimizes settings for the current scene. The Live Guide lets you make creative adjustments, and view them on the monitor before you take the shot.
  • Art Filter: You can select from the following Art Filters: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia
  • Scene Modes: You can select from the following Scene Modes: Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow
• Advanced Shooting Modes:
  • Program Shooting: Shoot using an aperture and shutter speed that the camera sets.
  • Aperture Priority: Set the aperture manually, and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically.
  • Shutter Priority: Set the shutter speed manually between 1/4000 to 60 seconds, and the camera sets the aperture automatically.
  • Manual: Set the shutter speed and aperture manually.
• Movie Shooting Modes: You can shoot movies using the Program Shooting, Aperture Priority Shooting, Manual Shooting, and the six Art Filter Modes.

Picture Modes (Processing Options): The camera lets you select image tones to create unique image effects. For each picture mode, you can fine-adjust the image parameters, such as contrast and sharpness. The Picture Modes include:

• iEnhance: produces more impressive-looking pictures matched to the scene mode
• Vivid: produces vivid colors
• Natural: produces natural colors
• Muted: produces flat tones
• Portrait: produces beautiful skin tones
• Monotone: produces black and white tones
• Custom: lets you select one of the above modes, set the parameters, and register the setting.

Focus Modes: The E-PL1 uses automatic focusing and manual focusing. You can select Single-AF (when shutter pressed halfway), Continuous-AF (always focusing), or Manual (turning the focus ring). You can also fine-adjust the focus manually by turning the focus ring after AF is performed in the S-AF mode. If you have a moving subject, you can use the AF Tracking feature. In this mode, the camera will track and maintain focus on the subject while the shutter button is held halfway.

Auto-Focus Target: The camera has 11 Auto-Focus targets for focusing on the subject. In the All-Target AF mode, the camera automatically focuses on one of the 11 AF targets. In the Single-Target AF mode, you can manually select one AF target for accurately focusing on the subject after composing the shot.

ISO Settings: The sensitivity can be set automatically or manually. You can set the default and upper limits for Auto ISO. The manual ISO sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 3200, with selectable ISO steps of 1 EV or 1/3 EV.

White Balance: Color reproduction depends upon light conditions. You can choose from 4 options for setting the white balance:

• Auto: For General Use, used for most light conditions
• Preset: You can choose from the following presets:
  • 5300K: for shooting outdoors on a clear day, for sunset/sunrise, or fireworks
  • 7500K: for shooting outdoors in the shadows on a clear day
  • 6000K: for shooting outdoors on a cloudy day
  • 3000K: for shooting under a tungsten light
  • 4000K: for shooting under white fluorescent lighting
  • 4500K: for shooting under a neutral white fluorescent lamp
  • 6600K: for shooting under a daylight fluorescent lamp
  • 5500K: for flash shooting
• Custom: Color temperature set in the custom white balance menu (between 2000K and 14000K)
• One-Touch: Color temperature set by the one-touch WB method

Sequential Shooting: In addition to shooting single frames, the E-PL1 can also shoot images at approximately 3 frames per second for as long as the shutter button is pressed. The camera must be set to Single-AF or Manual Focus. Focus, exposure, and white balance are set with the first frame.

Self-Timer: The Self-Timer lets you take pictures after a preset amount of time. You can choose from 2 seconds or 12 seconds.

Bulb Shooting: The E-PL1 can take extra long exposures with bulb shooting. When the camera is set to Bulb, the shutter remains open as long as the shutter button stays pressed. Use of a tripod is highly recommended for bulb shooting.

Flash Modes: The E-PL1 has a built-in pop-up flash, and a hot shoe for attaching an optional external flash. You can select from several flash modes for the built-in or optional external flash: Auto, Fill in flash, Red-eye reduction flash, Slow synchronization (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain) with Red-eye reduction, Slow synchronization (2nd curtain), and Flash off. You can also manually set the intensity of the flash (built-in only) to full flash, 1/4, 1/16, or 1/64 power.

Optional Flash Units: Optional flash units that can be used with the E-PL1 include FL-14 (item # 279FL14), FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-20, RF-11, and TF-22.

Bracketing: To increase your chances of getting the perfect exposure in difficult shooting conditions, you can set the camera to take a number of photos at different exposure values for each frame. Frames are shot at optimum exposure, plus pictures adjusted in the opposite directions of exposure. You can perform bracketing in the following ways:

• AE Bracket: Three frames are shot using automatic exposure. You can set the compensation value to 0.3 EV, 0.7 EV, or 1.0 EV.
• WB Bracket: Three frames are shot using different white balances; one at specified WB, one adjusted toward amber-blue color, and the other toward green-magenta. You can set the bracketing adjustments in 2, 4, or 6 steps.
• FL Bracket: Three frames are shot with different flash intensity. Compensation values can be set at 0.3 EV, 0.7 EV, or 1.0 EV.
• ISO Bracket: Three images are taken, each with different ISO sensitivity, with shutter speed and aperture fixed. Compensation values can be set at 0.3 EV, 0.7 EV, or 1.0 EV.

Metering Modes: There are 5 ways to measure the subject brightness:

• Digital ESP: Camera measures light levels and calculates the differences in 324 separate areas of the image.
• Center-Weighted Average: Camera provides the average metering between the subject and background lighting, placing more weight on the subject in the center.
• Spot: Camera meters a very small area around the center of the subject.
• Spot with Highlight Control: If overall background is bright, the camera shifts toward over-exposure so white areas don't turn gray.
• Spot with Shadow Control: If overall background is dark, the camera shifts toward under-exposure so black areas don't turn gray.

Face Detection: The camera will detect people's faces in the frame and adjust the focus and metering automatically.

Multiple Exposures: The E-PL1 can overlay multiple frames and save the result as a single image. You can overlay an image while taking a picture, or overlay a recorded image in playback mode.

Photo Playback: You can play back images one at a time, or in an index display of 4, 9, 25, or 100. You can also display images recorded on the memory card by date (calendar display). While in single image playback, the image can be magnified to 7x, 10x, or 14x for a closer look.

Playback On TV: The E-PL1 allows you to play back your still images or movies on a TV. The camera offers a composite video output (using the supplied A/V cable) and HDMI output (using an optional mini-HDMI to full-size HDMI cable). With the HDMI output, you can select 1080i or 720p for HD playback or 480p/576p for SD playback.

HDMI Control: When HDMI Control is set to "On", the camera can be operated by a TV remote control when it is connected to the TV via HDMI. The TV must support HDMI control. During single-frame playback, you can display or hide the information display and the index display.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer, regardless of brand.

Power Options: The E-PL1 is powered by the supplied PS-BLS1 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (7.2 volts/1150mAh). The battery charges in approximately 3 hours 30 minutes in the supplied BCS-1 battery charger. The BLS-1 battery is good for approximately 290 shots on a single charge.

Optional Underwater Housing: The compact design of the E-PL1 can be used underwater when coupled with the optional PT-EP01 underwater case (sold separately). The case is waterproof to a depth of 130 feet (40 meters).

Supplied Software

Olympus [ib] Software: The E-PL1 includes Olympus [ib] software on CD-ROM. The name [ib] stands for image bridging, image browsing, and image brightening. It is compatible with Windows operating systems only. The software lets you do the following:

• Includes photography workflow, browsing, editing, and unique photo-organizing functions
• Group and organize images into albums and folders
  • Organize images by person with automatic face-detection technology
  • Organize images by location with a Geotagging function
  • Organize images by event
• View photos on an HDTV or camera's LCD with Photo Surfing and Slideshow functions
• Print images using a variety of formats
• Develop RAW images

System Requirements: The Olympus [ib] software is compatible with the following operating systems:

• Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or later)
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7

USB Mass Storage Class: The camera supports USB Mass Storage Class, allowing you to transfer images to a computer with the provided USB cable. The following operating systems are compatible with the USB connection:

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Mac OS X version 10.3 or later