Compare Gadgets

Vs.

Compare

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pro Reviews

Sort:

expertreviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

More sensibly priced than earlier compact Micro Four Thirds cameras, the E-PL1 is a definite step in the right direction, but there are still a few issues we want to see ironed out

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 09, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

ITreviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With the E-PL1 Olympus has managed to retain much that made the Pen E-P1 and E-P2 cameras so immediately popular, whilst adding a much friendlier and more useful interface for both pros and amateurs, all at a highly attractive price.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 23, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

DigitalCameraReview‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Olympus E-PL1 is the cheapest of the Olympus Digital PEN cameras, rolling onto the scene with a 14-42mm kit lens and body for $599. The E-PL1 is compact, stylish and well-priced for its features. It has an image sensor that is larger than a point-and-shoot, and offers the ability to change different lenses. It also comes with most of the same specs as its two predecessors, the E-P1 and E-P2.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 14, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

www.trustedreviews.com‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The general impression of the Olympus Pen E-PL1 is not that this is a cut-down version of the E-P2, but that it is well-made high-spec compact camera that has been equipped with interchangeable lenses. This is a true bridge camera, even more so than the E-P2, the Lumix GF1 or even the Sony NEX-5. It sits mid-way between compact cameras and DSLRs, offering a good compromise between convenience and creativity, with good performance and superior image quality and at a reasonably affordable price.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Aug 28, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

Photography Review‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Taking the Olympus E-PL1 to Mazatlan was a great test. I don’t regret it one bit. It made air travel and customs easier, it didn’t attract attention while I was shooting in the street, and the image quality and performance didn’t let me down. The photos I shot in Mexico – people, streetscapes and landscapes – represent what most people would shoot with the E-PL1.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 12, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

reghardware‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With the E-P1 and E-P2 Olympus was targeting the enthusiasts and the serious photographers who were looking for a lighter and smaller alternative to a DSLR. The E-PL1 reflects a market shift by Olympus as it is aimed at the beginner and the compact owner who wants to upgrade to an interchangeable lenses system. This shift is reflected in the lower price, simplified interface and reduced features.

8.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 23, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

Macworld‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Olympus is very smart to get a camera positioned at an in between price point, and the E-PL1 is a great choice for point-and-shooter users who want to move to a higher quality camera and begin experimenting with lens choice, raw shooting, manual controls, and working in low light. While the learning curve for the camera’s interface can be steep, the iAuto modes make for an excellent learning tool. This is a camera you can grow with for some time.

6.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Aug 04, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

Engadget‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Overall? We just love the results. You can gripe about manual controls all you want, but at the end of the day the E-PL1 has well-exposed, intuitive controls for making great photos with natural and artificial light, and its video mode is equal parts high quality visuals and dirt-simple controls.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 01, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

MacNN‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Olympus E-PL1 is a worthy entry to the ILC ranks for those ready to step beyond the constraints of a typical point and shoot camera. Made for the type of person who chooses to go to the next step, but most likely not further, it offers great image capturing ability without all the bells and whistles that are part and parcel of DSLRs available today.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 27, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Olympus PEN E-PL1 is pretty much half what you’d pay for its E-P2 sibling. That’s despite using the same sensor and the same 720p HD video recording functionality. It’s tempting to see micro-4/3 cameras a teetering in a no-mans-land between point-and-shoot simplicity and proper DSLRs, but the PEN E-PL1 has enough strengths of its own to argue its case. Excellent image stabilization and strong picture quality, coupled with a chassis that’s easy to pocket and long battery life, add up to a compelling option for the photographer who wants DSLR-style flexibility in a highly mobile package.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 06, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

ephotozine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

For a budget model, it’s a good camera. Sure, I wasn’t happy with the colour reproduction and I think that has let the camera down the most but the features, ease of use and compact size are all positive notes.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 24, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

softpedia‘s review Edit Like Unlike

After testing the Olympus E-PL1 mirrorless micro four-thirds DSLR for quite a long period of time, we've come to just one big conclusion: passing judgment on this thing is strictly a subjective issue, and depends directly on one's photography skills.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jun 10, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is a decent interchangeable lens camera that’s capable of taking clear and vibrant pictures; its art modes are also a lot of fun. However, it really does need a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), or at least a bundle that includes one at the same price. When you compare it to cameras such as Samsung’s NX10, which has a built-in EVF, it just doesn’t seem worth it. If it was a couple of hundred dollars cheaper, then we’d be glad to recommend it.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 27, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

TechRadar UK‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is easier-to-use version of a high-end camera which can be sold significantly cheaper. If you want minimal effort, high quality, creative photographs from a portable camera with the option of interchangeable lenses, then you'll love the Olympus PEN. If you're a serious shooter who wants a PEN, don't buy it, you'll be frustrated with its clear beginner bias.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 27, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

PC Pro‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With more sensible pricing, the latest addition to the PEN range is a definite step in the right direction. Performance problems remain, however

6.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 18, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

Digital Trends‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Olympus’ PEN E-PL1 makes a resounding case for the emerging Micro Four Thirds format by shedding the bulk of DSLR but preserving outstanding picture quality.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 29, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

Pocket-lint‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Small-ish and easy-ish to use, Olympus is claiming "big camera" results from its latest Pen. Pictures from it are invariably a match for its acclaimed predecessors if they're not quite, to our eyes, as sharp as a similarly priced mid-range DSLR with a physically larger lens can achieve. On the plus side the E-PL1 is the most affordable Pen yet, and finally Olympus has included a built-in flash which is sure to extend its appeal beyond early adopters, consisting of Kevin Spacey fans and die-hard Pen enthusiasts.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 05, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

Steve's Digicams‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Olympus has hit a home run with the introduction of their latest Digital PEN, the E-PL1. Not only does it offer all of the features we love about this line, but they added the much needed built-in flash and lowered the price to only $599US!

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Feb 03, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

LetsGoDigital‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Luckily, you can work with RAW and enjoy the photos that the Olympus PEN PL1 can make. Be sure to work with the art filters, they offer a valuable addition to the possibilities. The E-PL1 is the third PEN and a true beginner’s model. It has handy ways of advancing in photography and it stimulates you to take a lot of photos. The Olympus PEN E-PL1 system camera has an excellent price/quality ratio and represents an example of what a Micro Four Thirds System means, as far as I am concerned: the ease of a compact and the quality of a DSLR.

8.0 Rated at:

Was this review helpful? Yes No

CNET Reviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Reasonably priced for an interchangeable-lens model, with the same high-quality photos of its siblings, the E-PL1 nevertheless suffers from slow performance that makes it a poor choice for snapshooters looking to upgrade.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 06, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

A good value at under $600 with lens, the Olympus E-PL1 offers D-SLR image quality without the clunky build. But if you're looking for speed, sluggish focusing speeds leave this camera in the dust behind Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds offerings and D-SLRs.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 19, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

PC Pro‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With more sensible pricing, the latest addition to the PEN range is a definite step in the right direction. Performance problems remain, however

6.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 18, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

PhotographyBLOG‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The brand new E-PL1 is the third Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, following on from the E-P1 and E-P2 models which were launched in 2009. The Olympus E-PL1 is a more affordable mass-market camera, with a plastic rather than metal chassis, smaller and lighter body, and a redesigned user interface that’s simpler to use.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 04, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

DP Review‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Stepping in to fill this void is the Olympus E-PL1, a camera that brings a stripped-down body and simplified interface to the Micro Four Thirds format. That cost saving, which extends to a lower-cost, plastic mount version of the collapsible 14-42mm kit lens, means the E-PL1 comes to market with a suggested selling price some $200 (or €150) below that of the E-P1.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Feb, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

The Imaging Resource‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Just over seven months after announcing the Olympus E-P1 Digital Pen, and three months after announcing the E-P2, Olympus unveils their first consumer model in their rapidly expanding Micro Four Thirds digital camera line. Dubbed the Olympus E-PL1, the new model leans more modern in design, moving away from its predecessors' retro designs.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Feb 03, 2010

Was this review helpful? Yes No

The average pro reviews rating is 7.7 / 10, based on the 25 reviews.

How we do it

We humanly agregate professional reviews from a number of high quality sites. This way, we are giving you a quick way to see the average rating and save you the need to search the reviews on your own. You want to share a professional review you like?

Add pro review

Copyright © 2010-24 Meet Gadget. All rights reserved.

Site features

About us

Affiliates: