Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pro Reviews

At present this is all rather hypothetical anyway, yes you can buy the PureView for around £500 SIM-free in the UK, but as the handset is based upon the old Symbian operating system, we can't see anyone trading in their Android or iOS device for this phone. Of course that would all change should we see a Windows 8 Phone PureView handset in the near future at a competitive price. In fact it could finally be the edge that Microsoft and Nokia have been looking for to make serious inroads into the smartphone market.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 is priced right for an entry-level interchangeable-lens model and it's a solid, if somewhat unassuming, model. I just found myself missing features like a touch screen and tilting LCD, and the photo quality is a bit too inconsistent for my taste. That said, it's better than a point-and-shoot, and if you're looking for a step-up model that's still pretty compact, this is a good, affordable alternative.

The Olympus E-PM1 offers just about all the same features as its more expensive sibling, the E-PL3 so you’re getting real value for the dollar with this camera. Above and beyond the wealth of features, the camera also offers good performance and above average image quality. However, the lack of external controls and confusing user interface may be an issue, especially for those who are used to the mode dial, buttons, and dials on most other cameras.

The Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 fills a gap in the PEN range that until now really only catered for enthusiast photographers. Rather belatedly, Olympus has woken up to the fact that equipping it's Micro Four Thirds bodies with auto exposure modes isn't enough to attract point-and-shoot upgraders who want controls they feel comfortable with and understand. The PEN Mini E-PM1 is now that camera. With a slimmer simplified body, but lacking little of the advanced feature set of the PEN Lite E-PL3, it will also appeal to those looking to replace a DSLR with something more compact but just as capable. This end of the ILC market is however becoming very competitive and although the E-PM1 can hold its own in terms of headline features it looks a little behind the curve when compared with the competition. It lacks the Sony NEX-C3's composite modes, and can't compete with the noise performance of its bigger sensor. And if Olympus had followed Panasonic's example and opted to include a touch-screen on its entry-level model, then the E-PM1's handling would have been much improved. Despite those reservations, the PEN Mini E-PM1 is a fantastic and very welcome addition to the PEN range and one which will undoubtedly be popular both for the novice upgrader and those who want a portable alternative to a DSLR without breaking the bank. Lest we forget the E-PM1 is the most affordable mirror-less ILC to date, and yet still boasts built-in stabilisation, Full HD video and a hotshoe; Olympus should be commended for achieving this feature-set at a low price point.

Although theoretically all Olympus digital Pen cameras have been targeted at compact “upgraders” since the E-P1 was unveiled in late 2009, the E-PM1 is the one that offers the most obvious step-up potential for happy snappers wanting to up their game. Available in our black, white, silver, dark brown or purple, the fact that it’s the most diminutive Pen yet doesn’t, for us, unequivocally tip the balance in the Mini’s favour, as the old school Tonka-toy like bulk of the E-P3 has a certain appeal all of its own. Yet the fact that we could squeeze body and lens attached into a jacket pocket means the E-PM1 is destined to get more use by photographers on the go, perhaps wanting a back up for their DSLR, as well as consumers simply requiring better quality images and video. Incidentally, for those looking for the most competitive deal, Olympus was offering a £50 cashback offer at the time of writing - effectively making the camera £399 - and running up until January 15th 2012. Though this is a digital Pen for those on a budget, the cheaper price has thankfully not meant a whole host of annoying compromises.

It's far from perfect, but its low price makes the E-PM1 a brilliant step up from a compact or ultra-zoom camera

With the E-PM1 Olympus has released a sexy, versatile, pocketable camera that manages to bring increased ease-of-use to the PEN family without sacrificing the creative and technical performance of its more expensive models. This is a camera that will surely appeal to beginners and amateurs alike. Thanks to its fast performing Autofocus system and undiminished image quality, it has also the potential to serve more accomplished photographers too.

The E-PM1 shares all its best traits with the E-PL3: lots of custom options, a capable sensor, fast AF and in-camera raw conversion wrapped inside a small, stylish body. In terms of image quality and core photographic functionality, the two cameras are near-twins. Despite the many similarities, however, they are designed to appeal to somewhat different markets. The E-PM1's control layout has become noticeably 'streamlined' over the E-PL3, which should help to make it immediately more accessible to the 'compact upgraders' market. This, coupled with the E-PM1's relatively low cost (compared to small interchangeable lens camera systems like the NEX and Lumix G series) places it in between those cameras and enthusiast compacts like the Canon G12 and the Nikon P7000. For compact shooters who are tempted by the image quality of a larger sensor and the creative flexibility of an interchangeable lens system, the E-PM1 could fit their needs very well. To keep the overall size of the camera down, the hand-grip and built-in flash that we liked in the E-P3 are absent from the E-PM1. The built-in flash has been replaced with a (supplied) clip-on flash unit. But by necessity, the flash unit occupies both the hot shoe and the accessory port, making simultaneous use of both flash and the optional EVF impossible. To be fair though, these omissions are not likely to cause great concern among users looking to upgrade from a compact camera. The E-PM1's AF speed, camera responsiveness, and of course 'large sensor' image quality will be revelations for these users. It's also worth noting just how many features the E-PM1 shares in common with its more expensive sibling, the E-P3.

The most petite PEN digital camera yet from Olympus with plenty of helpful guides and menus to assist the newcomer to more advanced photography, the E-PM1 nevertheless has stacks of features to appeal to the dedicated amateur who's prepared to accept a few minor practical sacrifices in return for great quality and compact size.

Olympus started the mirrorless interchangeable lens digital movement and with three new entries into this market niche shows no sign of wishing to cede this territory to more recent arrivals. While the PM1 is nominally the entry-level model in this newly introduced triumvirate, a lot of the performance hardware and features of its higher-priced siblings are present in the PM1 as well. There's a fairly quick autofocus system, good shutter lag time and full manual controls to go with the requisite automatic and scene shooting options. Still image quality is good and video performance is very good. Menus and controls are simple and intuitive, and the live guide feature allows users a degree of input into automatic captures not usually found in most digitals. The finish on the camera body has a somewhat slick feel to it and does not inspire confidence in one's grip - the PM1 is a definite candidate to always wear its camera strap. ISO performance, while good in the lower sensitivities was a bit disappointing at 3200. It's also a bit slow to power up and get off a first shot, and single shot to shot times are slowed by a brief monitor blackout after each capture. If you're already shooting a PEN camera you'll be the best judge of whether the latest generation brings enough to the table to get you to move into a new body. If you're looking to acquire your first mirrorless interchangeable lens model the field is getting more crowded with brands and models, but the PM1 offers some fairly impressive performance at a fairly bargain price.

Performance wise though it hardly differs from the E-PL3 and indeed the range-topping E-P3, and so, on a positive note, there will be those tempted to save themselves quite a bit of cash by plumping for the more 'affordable' E-PM1. Viewed as part of the new PEN range, for us the E-PM1 is the best choice if you don't require all of the E-P3's bells and whistles, but you do want the same excellent image quality and lightning fast auto-focusing wrapped up in a more beginner-friendly and better-looking body. Where the E-PL3 felt like a half-way house between style and substance, the new E-PM1 delivers on both counts without breaking the bank. Highly Recommended.

If you’re stepping up from a standard compact camera you’ll feel quite at home with the PEN mini, and love its enhanced image quality, but DSLR users may well find it somewhat frustrating to use.

Bearing in mind the target market for the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1, which is primarily people looking for a higher-quality upgrade from a compact camera, Olympus has done a good job on the whole with this camera. The minimalistic control layout will suit those who simply enjoy pointing and shooting rather than photographers who like to fiddle with settings.

Olympus has done a fine job moving the bar in the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera category. We liked the first one we tested (E-PL1) shooting down in New Orleans and the E-PM1 performed well in very different locales–for the most part. We recently used several Sony mirrorless models, even taking similar shots with the PM1 and NEX-5N. With its larger sensor, the Sony outperformed the Olympus but you’ll definitely pay a lot more for it (around $200). So with those items on the table, we’ll recommend the E-PM1 for people considering a responsive, compact interchangeable lens camera that takes good pictures and videos. You really can’t ask for more than that.

The Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 features extrmely fast focusing, which was originally one of the downsides of choosing the Olympus PEN camera over the Panasonic Lumix G cameras, however, now you can have you cake and eat it, with fast focusing, and built in image stabilisation. They've also produced a compact, stylish camera with fast continuous shooting at 5.5 fps. The AF illuminator and ultra compact size is also a welcome addition. The PEN Mini E-PM1 is the most compact of the Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras yet still gives you fairly quick access to controls through on screen functions, and three of the rear buttons can be customised.