Olympus's EP-1 digital squeezes many of a DSLR's features into a compact package inspired by the fifty-year-old Pen F
Posted 06.16.2009 at 1:10 pm
49 Comments
The Future Then
Olympus's new EP-1 digital (top) next to the classic Pen F film SLR that inspired it
DP Review
Sometimes looking to the past to inspire designs of the future is inspired by nothing more than fashion, but sometimes, it actually serves a functional purpose. Enter Olympus's freshly announced EP-1, which recreate a form factor we haven't seen a lot of since the film era: a sleek, compact body with interchangeable lenses.
This made possible by the Micro Four Thirds system--Olympus and Panasonic's joint specification for smaller digital cameras with electronic viewfinders, slightly smaller image sensors and interchangeable lenses. The only camera available now using the system, Panasonic's G1, retained all the design tropes of a traditional SLR camera, including the larger size and bulge up top for a pentaprism optical viewfinder, even though there was no pentaprism to be found.
The EP-1 though delivers on a new form factor lots of enthusiast photographers have been wanting (including, ahem, me)--a small camera they can stick into a small bag or even in large pocket for portability that still has interchangeable lenses. All of the lenses designed for the Micro Four Thirds system will work with the EP-1; and even more exciting is the availability of an adapter for the system that connects lenses with the Leica M-mount--some of the best rangefinder-style lenses ever made.
And the EP-1 also does something no vintage film camera could ever dream of--capture HD video at 720p/30fps.
The EP-1 will be out in July--$749 with the body only, $799 with a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens, or $899 with a nice looking 17mm f/2.8 fixed focal length lens. DP Review has a hands-on preview for more info.
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Love Olympus Cameras, currently own a E-420, incredible glass, controls, crisp color, what's not to like? Olympus has stepped it up in the marketplace for Digital Cameras.
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I can't wait until high grade cameras like this become standard and inexpensive things.
Nice camera - I love the retro look of rangefinders. It seems like everything captures HD these days!
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That's an impressive camera. I like the sleek design. The best thing is it captures HD video at 720p/30fps. Olympus is a reputed company manufacturing high quality products. For more information on other models refer http://www.etechreviews.net
Stylish, cool, sleek, and HD! This camera has it all. The old school look and appeal of the older models, with the new upgraded tech of today. Olympus sure knows how to impress. And the price is decent as well!
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If only this camera got an optical viewfinder, the Oly EP1 would be my first choice of DSLR camera.
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Yes I do love the Olympus Cameras, currently own a E-428 D, Olympus has stepped it up in the marketplace for Digital Cameras :)
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A friend of mine just bought this Olympus camera after a lot of research; he wasn't disappointed, he loves it.
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Another top of the line product from Olympus. It looks just like its predecessor though. This digital camera might capture a large share of the market and Sony and Canon better be stepping up their products as well. Vince at http://registrycleanerstation.com
thaaaanx very nice post :)
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Nice olympus digital camra with a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens, or $899 with a nice looking 17mm f/2.8 fixed focal length lens, I'm using this camera, i like this features.
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Olympus is best affordable digital camera all around.
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Very nice retro look to it! I have had a few olympus cameras and i love them all. Currently i have an FE-280 and it is a great camera. we bought it around christmas time for $160 and so far it is great.
it is compact and takes great pictures
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That's an impressive camera. I like the sleek design. The best thing is it captures HD video at 720p/30fps. Olympus is a reputed company manufacturing high quality products.
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I like olympus camera becoz it makes decent pictures and movies, is fairly sturdy, easy to operate.
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I love the design of this great Olympus camera and it offers great value for money. It's on the list of cameras that I would consider purchasing for sure.
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That sure is one sexy camera.
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what a cool camera!! if i have one...
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That's an impressive camera. I like the sleek design. The best thing is it captures HD video at 720p/30fps.
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How about nikkon?
Olympus would do well still.. I love cameras...
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I like olympus camera becoz it makes decent pictures and movies, is fairly sturdy, easy to operate.
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Olympus would do well still.. I love cameras...
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Olympus would do well still.. I love cameras
I lost my nice camera a long time ago, and now just use a cheap one I bought, they look nice-
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Wow great sharing!
I am glad to found your post which really shared interesting information about digital camera. We also have an site http://www.blitzpenny.com which is one of the world’s most innovative auction sites.
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I like the old rangefinder... reminds me of my first camera as s kid.
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Wonderful olympus digital camera with fantastic lookin just $899 its 17mm f/2.8 fixed focal length lens, I'm gonna use it really.
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This is so cool, at last a digital camera that looks like a proper camera, like the ones I remember from my youth. It's classy, expensive looking and sturdy
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OMG this is just more than awesome. I am just waiting for it madly.
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A friend of mine just bought this Olympus camera after a lot of research; he wasn't disappointed, he loves it.
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Wonderful old school camera. I love the look and the feel, I've been an Olympus fan for a long time http://www.expertulpc.com
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Cute! This looks like a retro design fro mthe snap shot camera of the 1960's and maybe early 1970's. Interesting!
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Well the design of Olympus's new EP-1 is very pretty,and very attractive which is a good mega-pixel digital camera.
I see the demo of Olympus's new EP-1.it is very light weight and catch a good quality photos.This is very small camera you can stick into a small bag or even in the pockets.All cameramen loves its functionality and capture photos. http://internetdblog.blogspot.com/
Best camera, wouldent use no other!
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How beautiful the camera is! I like it
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