Olympus Unveils Micro Four Thirds E-P1
Olympus today announced its first Micro Four Thirds camera, the E-P1, with a 12.3-megapixel sensor, 720p video recording capability and a distinctive retro look
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Unlike the first Micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic LUMIX G1, which looks like a small SLR, the Olympus E-P1 is a direct descendant of the Olympus Pen rangefinder cameras of the early 1960s. The distinctively retro-looking body will be available in two styles, a silver model with black grip pad on the front and an unusual white model with tan grip.
The E-P f1 features a 3-inch, 230,000-dot LCD using Olympus’ HyperCrystal technology, which helps maintain visibility even in bright sunlight. The camera marks the introduction of the new TruePic V image processor, which based on samples supplied by the company appears to reduce the image noise which has been an issue with Four Thirds-size sensors.
The E-P1 also incorporates the six Art Filters offered in the E-30 and E-620 SLRs, with two interesting twists. First, the filters will now be available as in-camera editing effects for images you’ve already shot in addition to filters that affect the original shot as it’s taken. Also, the same six Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole) will be available while shooting video. The hitch here is that, given the processing required to alter each individual video frame, the video frame rate is slowed noticeably and, in our hands-on demo, sometimes radically.
The E-P1 supports video recording up to 1280x720 (720p) resolution, at 30 frames per second, with stereo audio, stored in Motion JPEG format in AVI files. Individual video files are limited to 2 gigabytes which translates to 7 minutes of recording time at maximum resolution or 14 at standard definition. Up to 30 seconds of audio can also be recorded when shooting stills. A mini-HDMI jack allows direct connection for video or photo output to an HDTV set.
As with all Micro Four Thirds cameras, autofocus is limited to contrast detection, in this case with 11-area multiple autofocus in addition to a face detection system that can handle up to eight individuals. The camera does not have an autofocus illuminator lamp, though, which in combination with the lack of built-in flash could pose problems.
Photographic niceties include the e-Portrait mode (available while shooting or as an in-camera editing option) to smooth skin complexion, a digital level gauge display and multiple exposure capability (again, available during or after shooting). Four aspect ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 6:6) are supported. Nineteen scene modes are provided.
The E-P1 includes an enhanced slide show option, which can combine still images and videos in a single presentation. Olympus also commissioned five pieces of music to include in the camera as backgrounds for movies or still image slide shows.