Olympus Pen E-P1 with 14-42mm lens Reviews: Digital Mirrorless Camera

Photo of Olympus Pen E-P1 With 14-42MM Lens Digital Camera

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Score 9.0/10 Read 79
customer reviews Ask an owner about this product

+ This digital camera scores high on build quality. - It has no outstanding negative points.

£405 – £805 at 2 retailers out of 400 retailers checked

Olympus Pen E-P1 with 14-42mm lens: See full product description

Ease of use	8.3
Image quality	9.1
Features	8.7
Build Quality	9.5
Value for money	9.0
Overall rating	9.0

Some customer reviews of Olympus Pen E-P1 with 14-42mm lens

Most helpful reviews

Confirmed purchaser Keen amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: Great to hold and use. Excellent images and firmware can easily be updated (which seems to fix any problems mentioned in the early reviews). It would be less conspicuous than a DSLR if it wasn't so stylish!
Bad points:: I hate putting the loose lens cap in my pocket. Optional flash is comparativley expensive and doesnt swivel.

Ease of use	9.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	10.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 30 Oct 2010

Confirmed purchaser Keen amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: I thought this kit represented excellent value based on the reviews I read - it was also becoming hard to find the camera anyway as a newer and much more expensive replacement was on the market. I am delighted with the camera because it is so well made and produces some excellent pictures. I bought the two lens kit and would recommend this as it provides a lot of flexibility and additional interest.
Bad points:: None as yet

Ease of use	8.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 25 Jan 2011

Confirmed purchaser Keen amateur

Score 8.0/10

Good points:: great design, I really like the filters and the photos are good quality when the light is right
Bad points:: a lot of the shots are blurry or sometimes I have difficulty getting it to focus, think this is to do with a lack of light (or flash) but it does seem particularly sensitive in this respect as it happens when shooting in a well-lit room.

Ease of use	6.0
Image quality	7.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	9.0
Value for money	9.0
Overall rating	8.0

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Confirmed purchase: 24 Oct 2010

John, Tyne and Wear Keen amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: Looks great, feels great, is great, Complicated camera but already getting great results.
Bad points:: Handbook to small very hard to read, I downloaded a copy from Olympus , and printed A4

Ease of use	7.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 23 Oct 2010

Confirmed purchaser Keen amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: I just love it.
Bad points:: Reviewer left no comment

Ease of use	10.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	10.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 20 Oct 2010

Peter , Eltham Keen amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: Having for some years tried to find a digital camera that feels and operates like a "proper" camera I am delighted to say that this is it. All the main controls are easily operated by traditional twisty knobs and rings and not fiddly little buttons. I am aware that some reviews criticise this camera as being over-engineered, to be honest it was this comment that prompted me to purchase one. I was not disapointed. Initial use of the camera prove the results obtainable to be excellent.
Bad points:: Just picky ones :
Lack of a viewfinder apart from one for use with the standard pancake lens is regretable.
The build quality of the 14-42 mm lens is quite up to the same standard as the camera body.

Ease of use	10.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 05 Nov 2010

LiJung, Norwich student

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: easy to handle
Bad points:: no flashlight

Ease of use	10.0
Image quality	9.0
Features	10.0
Build Quality	9.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 03 Oct 2010

Read all 79 customer reviews

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Product Features

Camera Type	Mirrorless
There are 2 main types of camera: The SLR and the Compact. SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. SLR cameras use a prism to reflect the exact image as seen through the lens and so offers a more accurate viewfinder. SLR cameras have detachable lenses offering greater flexibility if you wish to take a variety of different photographs. Compact cameras have a built in lens and an ‘above lens’ viewfinder which is less accurate but they are often cheaper, more sleekly designed and easier to carry anywhere with you to capture that moment perfectly without having to fiddle with complex settings or a bag full of lenses.
Resolution (Megapixels)	12.3

Optical zoom ratio	1
The amount by which the camera optics (lens) can bring the subject closer.
Screen size (Inches)	3
Screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner.
Type of image stabiliser	Optical Image Stabiliser
If a photo is taken at a slow shutter speed, or at a long focal length, the effects of ‘hand shake’ will be amplified. Some cameras come with built-in image stabilisation which is designed to act against this to produce sharper images. It’s great for low light shots without a tripod, like at a gig.
Touchscreen	No
Touchscreen technology allows you to move and click things directly on the screen using your finger or a stylus pen.
3D	No

Colour	Silver
The main colour of the product.
Colour	White
The main colour of the product.
Media format	XD Card
This is the type of storage that your digital camera or camcorder uses to save images to. The main types of card media format: Compact Flash Micro SD MMC (Multi Media Card) SD Card (Secure Digital) SDHC (Secure Disk High Capacity)
Media format	Compact Flash
This is the type of storage that your digital camera or camcorder uses to save images to. The main types of card media format: Compact Flash Micro SD MMC (Multi Media Card) SD Card (Secure Digital) SDHC (Secure Disk High Capacity)
PictBridge	Yes
An industry standard allowing images to be printed from camera to printer, without needing a computer. CIPA PictBridge Standard Website
Macro Mode	Yes
This mode allows close-up photograpy of small objects such as insects and flowers.
Video recorder	Yes
Video recording functionality allows the capture of videos in mpeg or avi format which is great if you want to capture a whole scene, not just one moment.
Manual Focus	Yes
Almost all modern cameras have autofocus. Manual focus allows you to override the autofocus and set the distance yourself. This is especially useful if your camera is struggling to focus in a low-light or confusing scene.
Timer	Yes

Weight (g)	335
The weight of the product in grams.
Flash	No
Whether or not your camera has an in-built flash. Flashes are essential for fully capturing a low light image.
Body Only	Yes
dSLR cameras have detachable lenses and are sold in a variety of combinations. This facet lets you know whether the package your are considering comes bundled with a lens or whether it is just the body of the camera.
WiFi	No
Wifi allows you to connect your device to wireless routers or modems which allows you to connect to broadband internet.
Shortest shutter speed (Fractions of a second)	1/1
This is the fastest speed at which the camera can take a photo. Faster shutter speeds really freeze the action and are great for sports photography.
Longest shutter speed (Fractions of a second)	1/60
This is the longest exposure your camera will take. The longer you take a photo for, the more light is let in and the more motion is captured. Long shutter speeds can give fantastic, artistic results. Try photographing the night sky at 30s or longer to see how the rotation of the Earth causes the stars to curve through the scene.
Waterproof	No
If your camera is waterproof you will be able to film under water which is perfect for diving and snorkeling.
Viewfinder	Yes
USB port	Yes
Socket for connecting devices such as a computers and other components.
Dimensions (mm)	120.5x70x35
The size of the device in millimetres, in width x height x depth.
RAW Format	Yes
GPS Receiver	No

Release date	2009-07-08
The date the product was originally made available for purchase.
Height in mm	7.0

Width in mm	120.5

Depth in mm	3.5

Serial Shot Mode	Yes
Bluetooth	No
Bluetooth is a technology for the wireless transfer of data such as contacts, photos and music between mobile phones, computers and a host of other Bluetooth enabled devices. Read more about Bluetooth on Wikipedia
Autofocus	Yes
Changeable Lens	Yes

Digital Cameras Buyers' Guide

Manufacturer's Description

Small & stylish design

Extremely small and light-weight Micro Four Thirds system

Stylish design with metal finish

Two colours

SLR image quality

12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor

Built-in I.S. with max. 4 EV steps efficiency

Adapter for all ZUIKO DIGITAL & OM lenses

TruePic V image processor

Easy operation

New developed GUI for easiest operation via Live Control

Automatic recognition of common scenes possible with i-Auto

Clear skin with e-Portrait

Two dials for easy handling

Creativity & HD Movie

HD Movie with stereo sound featuring depth of field and Art Filters

Art Filters, Multi-Aspect ratios, Multi Exposure function

Art Filters can be applied to previously taken RAW images in the camera and with Olympus software

Enhanced creativity with special lenses e.g. fisheye is available via the Four Thirds lens adapter.

Olympus PEN reviews and deals

Product		Retailer	Price	Total price	Buy now
Featured retailer “Free delivery on all orders at amazon.co.uk”	Olympus Pen E-P1 Compact System Camera (Body Only) - White Colour	10 reviews of Amazon	£405 free delivery	£405	Go In stock
	Olympus Pen E-P1 Compact System Camera (14-42mm Silver Lens Kit) - White Colour	No retailer reviews yet	£550 free delivery	£550	Go In stock
	Olympus Pen E-P1 Compact System Camera (14-42mm Silver Lens Kit) - Silver Colour	No retailer reviews yet	£800 + £5 delivery	£805	Go In stock