Hands on: New Olympus PEN models – E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1

We’ve been big fans of the Micro Four-Thirds system since the original Olympus PEN E-P1 launched way back in 2009. It set the trend for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, all of which try to provide the flexibility and image quality of a digital SLR in a smaller and lighter package. Panasonic quickly followed with its own Micro Four-Thirds models, the most recent being the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, and both Sony and Samsung responded with their own equivalent formats.

The flagship E-P3 – also available in white and black – with its new pop-up flash

Olympus went on to launch the lower-priced PEN Lite E-PL1, and then E-P2 and E-PL2 models – but all of those cameras shared the same core specifications and sensor. So we were very excited yesterday to see the completely overhauled new PEN range – comprising of the top-end PEN E-P3, the mid-range PEN Lite E-PL3, plus an entirely new line – PEN Mini – represented by the E-PM1. We got to play with pre-production models of the first two cameras, but the smaller E-PM1 was only shown in a mock-up form.

THE PEN IS MIGHTY THAN …

The first thing that strikes you about the E-P3, is just how similar it looks to its predecessors. The key physical change is the mode selection dial, which has moved from a recessed position on the left, to a raised one on the right. We rather liked the old recessed dial, but it’s not a huge faff changing modes with the other thumb. Moving the dial has allowed Olympus to fit in a small pop-up flash on the left hand side. This is hidden under a hatch when not in use, and so doesn’t spoil the smooth lines of the camera.

On the rear of the E-P3, the button layout looks largely unchanged, though a dedicated video button has been added at the top. The display has been overhauled with a gorgeous high-detail 3.0in OLED screen, which provides far deeper blacks more vibrant colours, and better viewing angles than any LCD. The screen shape has changed too, again with video in mind, with a more widescreen aspect ratio than before – more on this later. For photography this is a shame, leaving black bars on either side of your 4:3 images.

The control layout has altered slightly, note the new video button at the top

This new display is also a touchscreen, an odd addition to what we thought of as being the ‘photography purists’ model in the PEN range. Still you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to. It’s a useful extra, with options for spot focus, and even shutter release by tapping the screen – you can disable both of these if you prefer. Bizarrely, the menu hasn’t been redesigned for the touchscreen display (we guess to keep it consistent across the range). In fact the menu itself is essentially unchanged from previous models, except for some slicker graphics and jazzy colours.

Despite the touchscreen, the menu system has barely changed

The only other external innovation is the removable hand grip. A standard textured grip comes with the camera, but this can be unscrewed and switched for a larger (but, bizarrely, smoother) grip. Alternatively you can use the camera without the grip at all for a super-minimalist appearance. Personally we wished that a far larger and sturdier grip was also available, but the mounting screw might not take such a design.

Turn to page 2 for details of the Lite and Mini models …

PEN-SIZED

The PEN Lite E-PL3 is more a variant of the E-P3 than simple a cut-down model. It loses the touchscreen – a pity as compact camera users wanting to upgrade to an interchangeable lens model would be quite at home with such an input device; it also steps down from OLED to LCD. ON the plus side, you get a tilting screen, so you can shoot picture while holding the E-PL3 above or below you.

The E-PL3, with its tilting LCD, has its own merits – rather than simply being a cut-down E-P3

It’s only a small step-down in terms of size and weight on paper: the E-P3 is 122x69x34mm and 321g, while the E-PL3 is 110x64x37mm and 265g. But in the hand the difference is more noticeable, and the E-PL3 certainly feels less imposing a device to point at people. In the end your choice of lens will be more telling than your choice of body when it comes to final size and weight.

As with previous Lite models, you lose controls on the rear – such as the E-P3’s dial and programmable function buttons. You can see the differences in the picture below.

The E-P3 and E-PL3 side-by-side, click on this image to enlarge it

We had a quick play with the Mini E-PM1 mock-up. Again it’s not a lot smaller than the model above, in case the E-PL3. Once again it has a reduced number of controls, with only a couple of buttons and a single circular dial remaining.

The E-PM1 looks swish, but may sacrifice too many controls to interest enthusiasts

All three models have the same accessory shoe, and the E-PL3 and E-PM1 will both come with a small clip-on flash, to offset their lack of a built-in one. We appreciate this essential extra being bundled with the camera, but again feel that those coming from a compact camera may have liked this built-in. Still it keeps the overall size down, and means you can switch it out for a more capable flash unit without having to carry both.

Turn to page 3 for image samples and video …

INSIDE AND OUT

Inside all three new models is a new 12.3-megapixel sensor and TruePic VI image processing. It’s too early to say how this combination compares to the competition from Panasonic and others, but we were impressed with the results from our brief session of snapping around Borough Market in London. Even on these pre-production samples, colours were accurate and vibrant and images sharp. As with previous PENs, we saw some purple fringing on high-contrast edges towards the corner of the frame (see below).

On this image crop you can see the purple fringing – click on this image to enlarge it

One of the key criticisms we had of previous PEN models was the speed of the autofocus system. The new models have all been hugely improved in this regard. Focus searching is massively reduced, thanks to the addition of a focus-assist light. We still found that outside of its range, and in low-light conditions, it could struggle to get a lock. But generally things have improved immensely, with fast and accurate autofocus being the norm.

Focus did appear to be an issue in video clips though, with the camera jumping back and forth between focus points while we shot a busy street. We’d left everything on automatic admittedly, but it still seemed a bit keen to adjust for the most temporary change in the scene. A smaller aperture would have kept everything crisp without all this jumping about.

Here’s some test footage, check out the focus shifts on the shop signs – click through to YouTube for the full HD version

Except for this possible issue, there’s a lot of positives to be taken from the new Full HD video mode. Shooting in AVCHD format at 1080i and up to 60fps, it’s a definite step up from the previous 720p Motion JPEG efforts of previous models. Our test footage looked pretty impressive, and the new stereo microphone produced clean-sounding audio. Still this is one area that needs serious testing before we jump to any conclusions.

Turn to page 4 for lenses, accessories and pricing …

LENS US A HAND

We tried various lenses during our testing, and can report that the kit lens is quieter than previous models, and redesigned a little to match the new bodies. We also got to use the striking all-metal M.Zuiko 12mm F2.0 lens. This little beauty can create great depth-of-field effects, and has a focus ring that snaps back to engage manual focus mode and reveal distance reference markings underneath. Unfortunately Olympus reckons this little beauty will retail for at least £600.

We got some great depth-of-field effects from the 12mm F2.0 – click to enlarge – and see the gallery (above) for more samples

There’s also a 45mm F1.8 portrait lens, with a similarly striking appearance, but without the snap-back focus ring. It too was impressive quick in use, focusing quickly and almost silently, and will cost a far more reasonable £260.

Other accessories in a very cool-looking range include leather straps, body protectors and cases – along with some sixties-styled bags. More practically there’s a wireless flash gun, which also tilts for bouncing the flash, and giving a more natural looking effect.

RANGED ATTACK

The new PEN range, then, keeps its individual and stylish appearance, but seems to have fixed many of the flaws that dogged previous models – such as autofocus. It’s not the huge shake-up we were expecting, with the appearance and feel of the new cameras being very similar to their predecessors.

Current PEN owners lusting after a new model should be richly rewarded in practical terms, but may find it hard to part with the cash for something so superficially similar. In terms of pricing and release dates, Olympus is playing its cards close to its chest. They say the E-P3 will cost £800 for the body and new kit lens, and the usual ridiculous £749 for just the body. However, we’re unsure if those are actual street prices, or just inflated RRPs. It should be available in early august.

More frustrating though is the complete lack of pricing on the E-PL3, due around late August, and the E-PM1. The latter two should cost around the same price, but how much cheaper they are than the E-P3 is entirely down to speculation.

With all three models being identical in terms of image quality, it’s hard to judge between them until we get actual prices. As a very rough guide, we reviewed the E-P1 at £687 and the E-PL1 at £477, so a price gap of around £200 might be a good guess. The new bodies do include some odd design decisions, but between the three models there should be something for most people. We look forward to seeing them all in our labs over the coming months.