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A more complete review of the Olympus Pen E-PL1

Summary

Characteristics

Sensor

Live MOS, 13x17.3 mm

Resolution

Eff. 12.3 Mpix., 4032x3024

Image formats

RAW, JPEG, RAW + JPEG

Optics

Micro 4/3, 4/3 - via adapter, 2x crop

Focusing

11 points, face detection, object tracking

Autofocus method

By contrast

Exposure metering

324 seg., EVO - 18

Expoavtomatika

iAUTO, P, A, S, M, plots

White balance

Auto, presets, manual, deg. TO

Shutter speed

1/2000 - 60 sec, sync. 1/160 sec.

Viewfinder

Removable (optional)

LCD display

2.7 ”, 230 thousand pixels

Image stabilizer

On the matrix

Flash

Built-in, incl. 7, external - TTL - negotiated

Burst shooting

3 frames / sec, 10 RAW

Video

HD 720p, 30 fps

ISO range

100-3200

Memory

SDHC

Dimensions (edit)

115x72x42 mm

Weight

296 g

        • pros
    • - Compact body;
    • - Stabilizer on the matrix;
    • - Convenient management;
    • - Rich customization options;
    • - High image quality;
    • - Color and art filters;
    • - HD video.
  • Minuses
  • - The lens scours during autofocus;
  • - Slow minimum shutter speed

Functionality 4.5 out of 5

Management 5 of 5

Test results 4.5 out of 5

Overall rating 4.5 out of 5

The third model, the Olympus PEN E-PL1, in a range of non-mirrorless interchangeable lens Micro Four Thirds cameras, has been simplified by Olympus engineers not only in function, but also in materials and design. In principle, this can be explained - by creating a simpler camera, naturally, which is important, inexpensive, the engineers set the task to interest this new model of those photographers who "ate" all the functions and capabilities of digital cameras. But this camera, surprisingly, is very actively interested in more experienced photographers who, in their arsenal, may have more than one SLR camera. Why is that?

Having dropped in price considerably (in comparison with the Olympus PEN E-P1 / P2 models and analogs of cameras of competing manufacturers), the E-PL1 with its simplifications ... in fact, did not lose any advantages in practice!

The camera is of the typical digital compact design. Metallic body with a glossy finish. The large ledge under the right hand, pasted over with embossed leather, is comfortable and practical. An information panel is shown on the screen, which contains all the customizable parameters of photography. The condition of the camera is immediately assessed at a glance. An external electronic viewfinder [optional] is attached to the flash sled. It can be folded up at an angle of up to 90 degrees. In the transport position, the whale zoom lens is compact, in the working position its length significantly increases - by 33 mm.

Is the screen slightly smaller (2.7 inches)? The work of the image stabilizer with the declared efficiency (it is rated by the manufacturer at 3 levels) is reduced by a level? No orientation sensor (which means vertical shots don't automatically rotate on screen)? Is the built-in microphone monaural? Highest sensitivity reduced to ISO 3200? As for me, this is not particularly critical. The shutter speed is 1 / 2000sec, compared to the first two PEN models, with their speed of 1 / 4000sec. In several cases, for example, if you are going to shoot in the bright sun, and even with a high sensitivity set with an open aperture and with a fast lens, this can most likely work as a restraining moment. But if we mention the flash sync speed, then somehow it makes no sense that someone will be able to determine the difference between 1 / 160sec (on the E-PL1) and 1 / 180sec (on the E-P2, by the way, this model does not have its own flash as such, uses exclusively external, and in this case, it is not necessary to assert about the efficiency of work and compactness with the E-PL1)?

How am I, as a potential buyer, paying for this? More precisely, how many? Saving in the cost of the E-PL1 kit with the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 / 3.5-5.6 lens in comparison with the E-P1 is about 6,000 rubles, compared to the E-P2 it will be 2-2.5 times more.Well, I'm ready to be greedy. Indeed, in the main thing - image quality - the "simplified" Olympus PEN E-PL1 not only did not lose, but in some places it clearly gained (see the results of our laboratory tests).

What you can complain about is the autofocus system. Yes, it is much faster than SLR cameras with Live View. And even more so than compacts. But the pedigree of the disease in the E-PL1 has been preserved - during autofocus, the lens scours back and forth in search of sharpness. (Say "vzhi-ik, vzhi-ik" quickly, and you will understand what speed we are talking about.) I do not know what the reason is - in some constructive moments or the chosen contrast autofocusing algorithm (and is it treated by firmware ), but at the moment the E-PL1 “whack-it” ... You can easily put up with this when taking a leisurely photo, but when filming a video, the lens's search for sharpness is visible in the image, and the sound of the movement of the optical unit is recorded.

The camera interface has been simplified a bit. The E-PL1 does not have a control wheel, and all adjustments, including manual entry of shutter speed and aperture values, are performed using the multi selector buttons (as in compacts). Somewhat unusual for DSLR owners, but you get used to it quickly.

There is no focus and exposure lock button (AFL / AEL). These functions can be hung on the Fn button. The camera actually has two function buttons - the Fn itself and the video recording button, which can also be assigned one of the functions (from the set).

Influence of the set sensitivity on the image quality. Up to ISO 800, the drop in detail is negligible. Starting at ISO 1600 it is more obvious, but quite bearable even at ISO 3200. The MZD14-42 / 3.5-5.6 lens is set to f / 8. The shutter speed ranged from 1/2 s at ISO 3200 to 15 s at ISO 100.

Grain is one of the in-camera software art filters that you often want to use. It's a strange thing, technically worsening, the picture is ennobled artistically

Noises

The camera has redesigned the noise filter (PN) algorithm. Its action covers the entire range of sensitivities. FSH has 4 effect levels - off, weak, standard, strong. At a standard PN level, the noise gain in comparison with the E-P1 camera reaches 2-3 dB at ISO 100-400. And the range of noise adjustment is simply amazing; 10-12 dB at ISO 200-3200. And at long exposures at ISO 100, the Olympus E-P1 makes 3-4 dB less noise. In this case, the picture is blurred slightly. At ISO 3200 at the standard FS level, the relative resolution of the E-PL1 exceeds the 0.85 bar. and E-P1 did not overcome 0.8.

Resolution

The use of a new protective matrix filter (according to the manufacturer, thinner) had a positive effect on the image quality. The lenses are sharper than the E-P1. Instrumentally recorded an increase in the central resolution of the M.ZD 17 / 2.8 by 100 lines (up to 0.86 lines / pixel) and the same increase in resolution over the entire field (up to 0.77 lines / pixel) with the M.ZD zoom 14-42 / 3.5-5.6L - telephoto at open aperture. Quite a bit, but happy.

Color rendering

Green and orange saturated colors are rendered slightly better. Color halftones are restrained, even red is not overclocked (like many cameras). True, the saturation of the yellow-green, green-blue and blue-violet gamut is slightly weakened. But the red-crimson gamut is accurately transmitted. Daylight is reduced to a temperature of 6300 K, and the light of the lamps is slightly "re-corrected", Ttsv = 7100 K.

Dynamic range

Wide, 10 stops of exposure. The characteristic curve has traces of tonal correction in penumbra at 1_ = 15-20 as a "digital flash".

In black and white photography, color filters are actively used to separate tones - optical or digital (implemented in Olympus cameras). They are similar in action to the image, but there are still differences.

With the release of the E-PL1, the company's line of interchangeable optics has been replenished. To the already produced M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42 / 3.5-5.6 (the camera is equipped with a version of the lens with a plastic mount - it is lighter and cheaper) and M.Zuiko Digital 17 / 2.8 Pancake two new ones were added: M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18 /4-5.6 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150 / 4-5.6.

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42 / 3.5-5.6L

  • Characteristics

Image format

Micro 4/3

Focal length

14-42 mm

Angle of view

75-29°

Items / Groups

9/8

Aperture blades

  • 7

Max. Diaphragm

f / 3.5-5.6

Min. diaphragm

f / 22

MDF

0.25 mm

Filter diameter

40.5 mm

Dimensions DxL

62x44 mm

Weight

150 g

Distortion

Focus, mm

14

25

42

Distortion,%

-2,2

-0,1

0

Vignetting (in EV)

Focus, mm

14

25

42

Max. diaphragm

1/2

1/2

1/2

Max. aperture +1

1/2

1/2

1/2

Min. diaphragm

1/2

1/2

1/4

Resolution

excellent at short to medium focal lengths at medium apertures; very good at maximum teleposition (f = 42 mm). Remains very good up to f / 16.

Vignetting

very well fixed and does not depend on aperture.

Distortion

well corrected at wide angle, excellent - in normal zoom position, and absent in telephoto.

Glare protection

on the Middle level. Even at a short focus, there are no large bright highlights, in other zoom positions the situation is better. Light scattering at all focal lengths is not higher than average.

M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 17 / 2.8 PANCAKE

Characteristics

Image format

Micro 4/3

Focal length

17 mm

Angle of view

65°

Items / Groups

6/4

Aperture blades

5

Max. Diaphragm

f / 2.8

Min. diaphragm

f / 22

MDF

0.2 m

Filter diameter

37 mm

Dimensions DxL

57x22 mm

Weight

71 g

Distortion

Focus, mm

17

Distortion,%

-1,3

Vignetting (in EV)

Focus, mm

17

Max. diaphragm

1

Max. aperture +1

3/4

Min. diaphragm

1/2

Resolution

at full aperture, excellent in the center of the frame, very good around the edges. Up to f / 16, it remains very good throughout the frame.

Vignetting

at fully open aperture is noticeable and is assessed as satisfactory. At aperture stop, it decreases to a good level, and at maximum aperture, it decreases to a very good level.

Distortion

well fixed and subtle.

Glare protection

excellent at full aperture. Decreasing the aperture ratio to f / 8 causes faint but large spots from the light source.

Multi-segment evaluative metering worked very well (1). But you can achieve a better result if you measure with a “point”, and if there are bright surfaces in the frame - “point along the highlights” (2). In this case, the lights on the histogram are located as far to the right as possible, and the tonal range is fully used. Normal spot metering under these conditions produces severe underexposure (3).

What is the future of the Olympus PEN E-PL1? The simplifications, cuts and, most importantly, the reduction in price of the camera, no doubt, went to her advantage. The image quality remained remarkably high. All together, this cannot but please not only beginners, but also experienced photographers.

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