Features
Like the Olympus E-P1 and E-P2, the E-PL1 has a 2.3-million-pixel Live MOS Four Thirds imaging sensor. The major technical difference between the E-PL1 and the two previous Pen cameras is that the newer model is fitted with a weaker low-pass filter. By reducing the strength of this filter and improving the image processing, image sharpness should be improved over the previous filter and sensor combination.
Unlike Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras, which rely on optically stabilised lenses, Olympus Pen cameras, including the E-PL1, have in-camera, image sensor-shift stabilisation. This helps to reduce camera shake, regardless of what lens is used.
The stabilised sensor is capable of capturing both JPEG and Olympus Raw Files (ORFs) at a maximum resolution of 4032×3042 pixels. Images at this resolution have an aspect ratio of 4:3, the same as that used in most compact cameras.
Those more used to shooting with a 3:2 aspect ratio can change to this format in-camera, with square and 16:9 (widescreen) aspect ratios also available. However, these non-native aspect ratios do reduce the size of the image. Like the E-P2, the E-PL1 has the new accessory socket below its hotshoe. The primary reason for this is to allow the optional Olympus VF-2 electronic viewfinder accessory to be attached to the camera, but more on this later.
The accessory shoe does have another function, though. It can be used to attach the Olympus SEMA-1 external microphone adapter kit. This allows the included Olympus ME-51S stereo microphone to be attached to the camera to capture stereo sound when recording video footage.
One feature of the E-PL1 that is lacking in the more expensive E-P2 is the built-in pop-up flash. However, with a guide number of just 7m @ ISO 100, the flash is only really suitable for adding a touch of fill-in flash or brightening a night-time portrait.
