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Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds System Camera

June 17, 2009 | Component, Digital Camera, Electronics, Gadgets | 1 Comment

The Micro Four Thirds System is a new system that is derived from the Four Thirds standard, which the current range of Olympus SLR cameras, among others, is founded. However, the new Olympus P1 comes from a legendary birthplace. Olympus’ introduction of the first camera is exactly Pen 50 years ago this year. A drawing with a sense revolutionary at the time and the age of photography. Designer Yoshihisa Maitani successfully designed a technique, traditionally, which is a fabulous combination of simplicity, style and performance. This was the birth of the Olympus Pen.

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Five decades later, the world shakes Olympus photography once again with the introduction of the first Micro Four Thirds model, the Olympus E-P1. The Olympus E-P1 camera system also offers the opportunity to share goals, like a reflex, but it lacks a mirror box. Therefore, it is possible to design extremely compact size, and we are witnessing, in fact, the merger of two major groups of the camera: compact SLR. The great advantage of a compact camera is its small size, while the advantage of a digital SLR camera is its image quality. These two advantages were combined, resulting in a camera, thanks to the Micro Four Thirds system.

I had a pre-production Olympus P1 (firmware 0.9) at my disposal for a short period of time. Because of this status, it is not possible to reach a final verdict on the image quality and performance of this device. Once a sample of the Olympus E-P1 is available on our website, we publish a wide Olympus E-P1 examination combined with Olympus E-P1 sample images.

The Olympus E-P1 has a retro design, the metal finish and elegant device has small dimensions. The new Micro Four Thirds system camera is a combination of timeless aspect of the classic series Olympus Pen and the latest technology. The Olympus EP1 is available in two colors: silver and white.

In addition to the 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a new image processor TruePic V, the Olympus E-P1 also has an advanced feature high-definition video. This brings creative filming and photography within everyone’s reach. And if being created is not the best, 6 filters Creation will help you. These filters can also be activated in the video mode.

At the time of writing this preview, I have neither the specification nor a manual at hand, which means that I can only rely on the brief experience in practice. Filming in 1280×720 pixels at a speed of 30 fps with stereo sound and a maximum of 5 minutes in HD quality (4:3 or 16:9 ratio), works very well indeed. Personally, I had hoped for a auto-focus or AF tracking as the Panasonic LUMIX GH1, but apparently it was not possible. However, it is possible to manually adjust the sharpness in the film via the focus ring on the lens or by pressing the AEL / AF-L button. Although it must be said that focusing is not all that good in the latter case. When playing the captured video, the sound of the development of the engine can be heard in the video.

Compared to the video of the engine of another Micro Four Thirds system camera, the Panasonic DMC-GH1, the latter seems to be further strengthened. AF Continuous AF and tracking via the opening / shutter priority is for the standard possibilities. In addition, Panasonic has developed a lens (14-140 mm f/4-5.8 Panasonic OIS HD) offering silence to concentrate. I wonder if the E-P1 will also benefit from this lens. The Panasonic seems to be the GH1 asset in this regard.

We have seen the filter of the E-P1 before on E-30. After taking a picture, one of the filters can be applied immediately. For example, Pop-art for a more powerful and vivid color reproduction, Soft-focus for a fresh reproduction or granular film, in which case the atmosphere of a rich and grainy black and white contrast is created.

Another creative function is called multiple exposure with the possibility of merging multiple photos on one another in real time, during or after shooting. Another specific feature Olympus is the variety of image ratios. This allows greater freedom for the photographer to decide on the composition. The ratio selected is immediately displayed on the screen. The ratios are: 16:9, 3:2, 4:3 and 6:6.

The retro-designed Olympus E-P1 hosts much of the technology. The device has an image stabilization that works at any time, regardless of lens used. The so-called gyro sensor records the exact direction of the motion, on which the Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) will move the image sensor, compensating for camera motion.

Naturally, the effectiveness dust Olympus system is also found in the E-P1. There is always a risk of dust entering the camera while changing lenses, which are in the images. The Supersonic Wave Filter is a transparent filter placed between the shutter and the image sensor of the camera. This filter will remove dust particles from the sensor by a number of ultrasonic waves.

The Olympus E-P1 works with specially developed lenses Micro Four Thirds. In addition, developed an adapter (MMF-1) allows you to mount existing Four Thirds lenses. And to keep the emotion is nostalgia, there is also a special adapter available, the MF-2, allowing the assembly of OM lenses.

The new Mr. Zuiko Digital lenses are also a match. Our E-P1 test with a sample Mr. ZUIKO Digital ED 14-42 mm 1:3.5-5.6 zoom and a second target is also available, Mr. ZUIKO Digital ED 17mm 1:2.8 pancake lens. Undoubtedly, these lenses are the beginning of a new range Mr. ZUIKO lenses.

The advantage of the Micro Four Thirds system is that it allows you to change the traditional digital SLR design drastically. A number of key elements have remained the same, but Olympus has taken the opportunity to design a compact body with both hands. The retro design seems almost impossible to justify the choice. Personally, I support it, and I find this design a wonderful addition to the current market for the camera.

However, I am not sure that I represent the group of potential Olympus E-P1 buyers. There are examples in other segments of electronics, overhead where he did not. However, it does not mean that the backlight is the only option, of course. I can imagine Olympus have different ideas in the pipeline in the design to another type of photographer.

When taking the Olympus E-P1 in your hand, you will immediately enjoy the high quality of finish and quality of the material of the housing. The new compact camera is very solid and offers a stable hand-fit. The casing is brushed metal with a slightly oblique upwards rubber coating. The fact that the material used is not prone to fingerprints is very pleasing to the eye. It also allows you to save the constant urge to want to clean the camera.

The M. ZUIKO Digital 14-42 mm objective is very compact and has a length of only 43 mm (when mounted on the body). When activating the camera, a warning message appears, indicating that the lens is locked. Turn the zoom ring, a lens system followed by some sort of mechanism that magnifies the telescope to the target 27 – 37mm. A small switch on the zoom ring is used to insert the lens entirely new.

The Olympus E-P1 has a new processing engine, the TruePic V, to ensure the speed of image processing. Olympus has also managed to increase the ISO sensitivity to 6400 ISO. Photos can be stored in both RAW and JPEG. A SD or SDHC memory card serves as a storage medium. This is surprising, while Olympus always used its own xD Picture Card before, sometimes adding CompactFlash support. The choice of SDHC / SD is wise, however, and the most logical when considering the evolution of the market. This ensures maximum storage capacity of 32GB.

It is remarkable that the Olympus E-P1 has no flash. As for the design and the link to the Pen-F, it seems logical, but I do miss it, to some extent. Olympus offers a flash FL-14 as optional accessory. An optical viewfinder is something you will not find on the E-P1. The HyperCrystal LCD 3 “is used instead. If you insist on the viewfinder, you will need to go to the optional external VF-1 viewfinder.

Focus is going through the Live View mode, which is slightly slower than through the standard AF. The well-structured menu appears, as we are accustomed to from Olympus, or cover completely or semi-transparent on the side and bottom of the screen. This type of menu structure works nicely and is very convenient.

Operation of the Olympus E-P1 seems that we have seen on other Olympus SLR cameras. The buttons are located mainly on the right side of the screen, with an emphasis on navigation on the screen. The Olympus E-P1 is a camera with great nostalgia for the photographer who is himself of photography in a conscious state.

The Olympus E-P1 is not a speed monster, but a model that is based on a platform that gives life to a whole new camera segment, created by Olympus. In my opinion, the Olympus E-P1 is only the first of several possible models. A camera that will win the heart of a photographer at any time, developed from a photograph historically rich past. [ via letsgodigital ]