PREORDERS:
Preorder the E-PL1 at amazon.com!
Olympus next MicroFourThirds camera name is “E-PL1“. The “L” should stay for “Light”. It has an internal Flash, plastic body, same E-P1 sensor, and it is very easy to manage (it has some new special functions). The body comes in four different colors!
One of my best sources wrote:
“I absolutely love the solid chunky feel of the model in my hands. You can really hold one in your palm the whole day and feel so good about it. That’s real craftsmanship for you.”
AND 43rumors found the first pictures taken with the E-PL1!!!
Searching in google for E-PL1 images I found something interesting: http://mliphotos.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-done-shot-it-with-olympus-e-pl1.html. The author says she has taken the pictures with the but all pictures do begin with the name “E-PL1…” and if you click on the thumbnails and you download the original picture…read the EXIF data 🙂
UPDATE: One of the leaked images has been taken with the Olympus 9-18mm lens?
Click here to see it: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YekcxCXdM8U/S1oS_0tU9gI/AAAAAAAAAHI/ueT2RL6IaRc/s1600-h/E-PL1_-10.jpg
Source: four-thirds.cn
28 Responses
I’m curious if it has video..
Me too. If it has video I might buy it. If not – GF1 here I come.
Also, this image is taken at 10mm. Is it new Oympus 9-18, or not?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YekcxCXdM8U/S1oS_0tU9gI/AAAAAAAAAHI/ueT2RL6IaRc/s1600-h/E-PL1_-10.jpg
I wonder what lens gives f/3.4 at 27 mm. Not the current kit lens that starts with f/3.5. Is it a new, faster lens? It could be the DZ 12-60 but how would that handle on the tiny E-PL1?
there’s one that says 10mm. i wonder what lens is used. a 7-14mm? that’s a huge lens for a tiny body.
Since the blogger has preferred access to pre-release photo equipment not available to the general public, I wonder where her FTC endorser disclosure statement is posted…?
The blog is now gone. Oops
Drat, so still no magnesium weather sealed enthusiast model with a built in EVF eh? The wait for a poor mans Leica M9 continues…
Well the blog was deleted pretty quickly, so what does that say?
@Chow, J:
All new m4/3 cameras will have video, it comes almost for free.
@Eric:
Since there are no weather sealed lenses, hence there are no weather sealed cameras. (Catch22 infinite loop)
I doubt we’ll see a PEN with built in EVF. The VF-2 is an option.
Otherwise, it’ll be interesting to follow the Panasonic G1/GH1 models, which has built in EVF. Will these continue to look like the current models. Olympus might jump on this trend at a later stage, the VF-2 technology is probably good enough.
Regarding IBIS, I think we will continue to see that supplied in every Olympus model. Only, and only if Olympus decides to create an “XA” analogy, we might se both the flash and the IBIS stripped away.
According to the Japanese website, the new Olympus E-PL1 to be on sales on March 2010, has the following specifications:
– Built-in pop-up flash
– Lightweight with plastics body
– EVF support (external)
– Body built-in image stabilizer
– AF speed improvement
– Same sensor as E-P1
– Simple operation
– Body color (Black/Silver/White)
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:a5m1LoI9ZAYJ:mliphotos.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-done-shot-it-with-olympus-e-pl1.html+http://mliphotos.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-done-shot-it-with-olympus-e-pl1.html&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Google cached version, if anyone is curious.
I wonder, who’s going to buy E-P1 and E-P2 if E-PL1 has the specs like that (as AT quotes) and the prize about 500 to 600 USD.
I would guess “Simple Operation” may mean the lack of manual functions (may have “Auto Mode” or “Scene Mode” only)…
“…may mean the lack of manual functions…”
Oh, please, no!
speaking of EVFs, i actually like the chunk on top of the e-p2. lot more flexible then a built in one…but still, cool to see new stuff comin in!
It uses the same battery as the EP1/2.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/OLYMPUS-PEN%E7%94%A8-%E3%83%AA%E3%83%81%E3%82%A6%E3%83%A0%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E5%85%85%E9%9B%BB%E6%B1%A0-PL1%E4%BB%98%E5%B1%9E%E5%93%81-BLS-1/dp/B000NZE1MU
really hope this has video mode. i’ll buy it right away.
@daniel
Thanks for that link. Interesting feature: it does have the Diorama filter. I was thinking that would be one of the areas to distinguish with the more expensive models (i.e. less filters).
I guess the E-P1 will be phased out now. It is already down in price considerably. E-P2 can remain in the line-up; it sells including the VF2 and I guess it offers other stuff such as Manual control in video and more external controls. But if the E-PL1 does indeed sell for around $500 and is not stripped down too much, still includes access to the viewfinder and mic adapter, it will be a pretty convincing package.
BTW funny name. It’s the light version of the PEN, so that makes it a penlite.
Another place to see the pictures? They are gone !!! 🙁
i can write ANY camera name into each EXIF – voila, there is a leaked E-P5 or E-P222
Can you write it in Amazon? Have you seen the other leaks? 🙂
“speaking of EVFs, i actually like the chunk on top of the e-p2. lot more flexible then a built in one…but still, cool to see new stuff comin in!”
They’re sure not too flexible if you like to use strobes or wireless triggers. Plus, from an ascetics point of view, the EP-2’s EVF just looks way out of place on the retro body. Both Panasonic did Ricoh did a much better job of designing an EVF that matches their bodies.
There goes canon G11 sales… or different way to look at it, the G11 is about to get a little bit cheaper.
@quak:
Yes, you might tamper with the EXIF data, however…
@steve:
The amazon.co.jp shows it uses the same BLS-1 battery and is a very strong indicator of E-PL1 actually is the true name:
OLYMPUS PEN用 リチウムイオン充電池(E-P2/P1/PL1付属品)BLS-1
@Eric:
Have you IRL seen the E-P2 & VF-2 combo? It’s tinier than you think! Regarding the aesthetic aspect, it’ll grow on you:
http://fourthirds-user.com/2009/11/olympus_ep2_handson_preview.php
The VF-2 performance is the cardinal objective of the VF-2, and here it’s current the state of the art.
However, I agree that on E-P2, you cannot use an external flash, if VF-2 is fitted. But that argument is removed, when a remote flash commander is built into the E-Px camera body.
Remember that even the compact long-zoom cameras SP-560UZ, SP-565UZ, SP-570UZ & SP-590UZ does support the optical triggered wireless remote control flash, “wireless RC” & slave modes.
The reason we haven’t yet seen wireless RC flash on the m4/3 cameras, is that I expect that the wireless RC protocol part isn’t ready at the table in negotiations with Panasonic. (A f/w update could be retrofitted into E-PL1 if yet not ready). An optional flash bracket could replace the need for a traditional top heavy flash mount.
Don’t forget the message from two weeks ago… “ignore the 2nd and keep your eye on the prize” … maybe this means ignore the announcement on Feb. 2nd (E-PL1) because a higher-end m4/3 is still coming…???
It’s interesting that the original blog is marked private, but you can still access the original pictures from the google cached version. Basically the pics are still up, only the link to the pictures are hidden.
regarding the electronic viewfinder of E-P2, i like it. i usually use it tilted 90 degrees where i push the shutter button with my right thumb, oldskool-style-like. What it does is slows down your shooting, and give you more time to think abt the image. (slowing down is a feature? yes for me). it’s still quick to use regularly (eye level).
what i can say is, there’s horses for courses. i had the 1D Mark4 for a week and it was a blast. fast with brilliant video. but seriously, you point that thing to anyone and they instantly freeze like being held with a gun. not so with the E-P2.
Jom Jenson: I think they’re hinting at the E-3 successor.