Olympus Pen Lite E-PL1

Brilliant Hybrid SLR camera – This camera is for the novie photographer who can appreciate SLR quality photography but does not have the time, patience or ability to handle the enthusiasts camera. The difference between a normal point and shoot camera and an SLR camera in terms of quality is noticable so the new HYBRID cameras are simply awesome. They are easy to use, have a large sensor for better images, interchangable lenses and amazing features such as cinema quality HD video, brilliant ART filters and anywhere from auto to semi-auto to manual controls. Cannot recommend the camera highly enough.

I am wondering what is next for these cameras. I hope they are not a fad. Picture quailty, ease of use, accessories, lenses, price its so good that I am left wondering what I am missing out on by not buying and SLR, lack of popularity

Excellent affordable compact Micro 4/3rds camera, recommend – I bought this camera from a UK seller on eBay and I am so pleased with it. I am a avid photographer of 40+ years and have used the E-PL1 for several months and have taken around 500 photos. My kit came with the 14-42mm lens, which is quite versatile and also capable of taking sharp macro shots. For beginners, just set to iAuto mode and the camera calculates the perfect shot, but there is also program, aperture, shutter and manual modes for more advanced users. When recording in movie mode(7 minutes max. in HD), you can also capture stills. Art filters can also be used in Movie mode and filming using the Diorama filter, plays back at roughly 15x realtime speed.

It is possible to take stills at low shutter speeds, thanks to the effective built in image stabilization. I have taken shots as low as 1/4 second hand held, that were in focus and sharp. Image quality is excellent and is on par with my canon DSLR. Noise is well contained up to ISO 1600 and just noticeable at ISO 3200.

Likes:

Overall, a great camera to use, that takes DSLR quality photos in a smaller package and has a faster learning curve, especially for beginners.

Dislikes:

Cannot turn on camera immediately, due to the frustrating locking mechanism on the lens barrel, that needs to be unlocked first.

Pros:

* Excellent image photo quality

* Low noise images, even at high ISO's

* Compact, light, good grip and can shoot 1 handed

* Large 8x Mos DSLR sensor, compared to point & shoot cameras

* Quieter shutter sound compared to DSLR

* Instant access button for movie mode

* Dual JPEG & RAW shooting modes

* 10 frames/sec. continuous shooting mode in RAW

* Concealed built in pop up flash

* 34 menu languages now included in-camera

* accepts sd/sdhc memory cards to 32gb

Cons:

* No viewfinder included

* Low resolution LCD

* Slow autofocus in low light

* Maximum 2000th/sec. shutter speed

* Mono audio for video recording

* Only a few micro 4/3rds lens available

* 3 frames/sec. continuous shooting mode in JPEG

* Smooth 720p video recording, but no 1080p

Conclusion:

This model can still be purchased new on eBay for under US$300 (May 2012), with 14-42mm kit lens and body only for under US$150 and is a recommended buy, with prices now so low.