Testseek.co.uk have collected 113 expert reviews of the Olympus Pen E-P1 and the average rating is 79%. Scroll down and see all reviews for Olympus Pen E-P1.
July 2009
(79%)
113 Reviews
Average score from experts who have reviewed this product.
Users
-
0 Reviews
Average score from owners of the product.
790100113
The editors liked
EXCELLENT image quality - low noise
Excellent colour
Detail
Exposure
Very sharp results from the kit lens
Built in sensor shift image stabilisation
Built in dust reduction
Good 3" screen works well outdoors
Worlds most compact "DSLR" - available w...
Beautiful retro look
Compact
Effective scroll
Nice build and design
Glorious performance
Great features
Rock solid build
Fun effects filters as found on Olympus E-series DSLRs
Image quality on a par with SLR cameras
Camera set up allows spur-of-the-moment shooting from the hip
Its retro look
Compact size
HD recording capabilities
Stunning looks. Interchangeable lens. Metal body
Fun effects filters
Dimensions mean it can be used like a glorified snapshot model
Looks great
Wellmade
Interchangeable lenses
Solid design
Gorgeous looks
That the Olympus E-P1 is something different becomes apparent as soon as you take it out the box
Its sexy retro styling a throw-back to the 70s. The Micro Four Thirds sensor on the inside means that the E-P1 essentially has the same basic features as a f...
Striking design
Excellent build quality
Impressive photo quality
Support for interchangeable lenses
Image quality
Handling
Super control panel
Comprehensive
Creative feature set
Good dust reduction system
Retro styling
Build
Lenses
The editors didn't like
No flash - dedicated flash is expensive (£159 in the UK
$99 in the US)
Lens noise on videos when AF or Manual Focus is used.
Menu system(s) can get confusing without reference to the manual
The lowest you can set Auto ISO to is ISO200 - does this ne...
Screen resolution
No viewfinder / optional viewfinder imprecise
Illogical menus
Ineffective stabilization
Insufficient battery life
Awkward controls
More lenses needed
Lens build is a bit plasticky and cheap
Pricey for anyone looking to invest in a whole new system as the same outlay would buy a starter DSLR and a couple of lenses
No built in optical viewfinder or flash – but both available if paying more
Pricy
Even if it is worth it
Autofocus takes a while to work
Some muddled menu options
No viewfinder. Expensive. Slow
No optical viewfinder or flash provided
Plus the same outlay would buy an entry level DSLR and a couple of lenses – albeit one without HD video
Expensive
Image quality not up there with real DSLRs
No flash or optical viewfinder
There's no built-in flash and what about an optical viewfinder
Eh Olympus? You have to rely on the LED display
Which isn't bad by any stretch
But it can be tricky in bright conditions. The only other gripe is the price. £700 for an "inbetw...
Abstract: Then, last spring, a friend read about a rumoured new Olympus that sounded terrific, and I tried to open diplomatic relations again. It was impossible to make contact. Somebody thought there was a bloke who speaks to the media but he was off, I was put th...
Abstract: Competition: Win an Olympus PEN E-P1 with pancake lensSize matters to Olympus – specifically, the smaller the better. The new Pen EP-1 is an instant design classic that promises compact camera convenience and a DSLR-sized sensor. Is this Olympus’ first...
Abstract: Not a writing instrument as you may think from the title, but a DSLR camera, this designed to look like an SLR of a long time ago. It takes brilliant images in daylight; alas I cannot tell you about night time shots as no flash was supplied....
Abstract: Olympus E-P1 at a glance: 12.3-million-pixel Live-MOS sensor 3in, 230,000-dot LCD screen Contrast-detection AF (including face detection) 3fps continuous shooting ISO 100-6400 (equivalent) Scores: Features - 7/10 Build and handling - 6/10 AWB/colour -...
Abstract: The Olympus PEN E-P1 is an elegant camera with an appealing retro design. The camera utilises the new mirror- and prism-less Micro Four Thirds system, which allows the E-P1 to be very compact and lightweight. Besides the compact Micro Four Thirds lense...
When we looked at the Lumix DMC-G1, we asked whether the MFT system was in danger of falling between two stools. The PEN P-E1 merely confirms these fears. It’s too big to appeal to the compact camera user looking to upgrade, and the lack of a built-...
Abstract: This camera is reviewed as part of our group test of Digital SLR HD Video Cameras Olympus doesn’t currently make a digital SLR – in the conventional sense – with HD video capability. What it does offer, like Panasonic with its GH1, is a device that’s t...
Abstract: The PEN EP-1 is designed in the style of the original PEN. This camera is different from the Micro Four Thirds concept premiered in 2008. Is this the dawn of a new era?The timing of the new Olympus PEN E-P1 isn’t a coincidence. It’s 50 years since Olym...
