Looking only a bit like the original Micro Four Thirds concept design Olympus floated last September at Photokina, the company's retro interchangeable lens E-P1 debuts this year to ride the coattails of the 50th anniversary of the company's <a href="http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/pen.cfm">PEN film camera</a>.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Despite the retro design, the control layout and menus are typical digital camera. The four-way navigation buttons are part of a dial, and you can use the zoom scroller to navigate as well.
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Beige in back
The two-tone design carries across the back of the camera.
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Lens compactor
The 14-42mm lens is ingeniously designed to retract into a smaller footprint when not in use.
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Recessed mode dial
The recessed mode dial gives the top a nice clean look, and Olympus doesn't crowd it with more features than can comfortably fit.
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Remember!
I found this a bit odd.
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Optional optical viewfinder
The optional viewfinder only works with the 17mm lens. The lack of an eye-level viewfinder is a mixed blessing; yes, it keeps the camera smaller than models like the G10, but many people will miss the viewfinder.
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Four Thirds adapter
An optional adapter allows you to use Four Thirds system lenses on the E-P1.
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Using older lenses
If you've got OM-1 lenses, there's an adapter for that too.
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Flat flash
The lack of on-camera flash is a big drawback for the E-P1, though Olympus offers an optional hot-shoe flash with a relatively compact profile.
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Hot shoe flash
The optional flash on the camera.
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Lens caps
Colorful vintage lens caps are also available.
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Old-fashioned strap
Opt for the old-fashioned strap to keep the vintage theme going.
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17mm prime
Olympus offers a 17mm lens kit (34mm equivalent) with the optional optical viewfinder.
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Matching colors
In an unusual move, Olympus offers versions of the lenses that match the different body colors.
