Olympus E-P1 - The Olympus 'Digital Pen' Camera System

Created in the tradition of of the celebrated Olympus PEN family of cameras, the E-P1 is the world's smallest 12.3-mexapixel interchangeable lens system camera. When combined with the still image quality of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) and the A/V quality of both a High Definition camcorder and high-end audio recorder, the E-P1 is actually a virtual full-service imaging studio in one ultra-portable and stylishly retro body. It has the creative flexibility to give you a true professional experience with ease.

The E-P1 creates exceptional photos, inventive slide shows, and remarkable videos both for personal use or for posting on many of today's social networking websites. Thanks to its slim body and advanced high-speed imager AF (Live View) technologies, the E-P1 is capable of delivering delivers professional quality images without the bulk of a conventional DSLR. The camera fits easily in many pockets and purses.

A new era of digital imaging that begins with the Olympus E-P1, the world's smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system camera that blends high-quality still images of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) with High Definition (HD) video, stereo Linear PCM audio recording and In-Camera Creativity within an ultra-portable body. An easy-to-use E-P1 that expands your creative horizons and its diverse multimedia features offer something for everyone. Built for today's visual generation who lead active lives online and offline, the E-P1 will make you rethink what you can do with a camera.

• 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens digital camera; Micro Four Thirds format
• In-body Image Stabilization; 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD with Live View function
• Record HD video with high-quality audio; in-camera creative features (for still images and video)
• Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards

Groundbreaking Technology
As the first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, the E-P1 provides the same image quality as current Four Thirds format E-System cameras because it has the same image sensor size as the E-30 and E-620 DSLR models, but in a much smaller body. This high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

The E-P1 is equipped with 19 automatic scene modes for effortless picture taking. Standard scene modes like Night-Scene, Portrait and Landscape are easy-to-use solutions for everyday shooting. Capturing beautiful portraits is easy with the new ePortrait Mode. It enables you to smooth your subject's face - all in the camera and before capture! Additionally, edits can be made post-capture using the ePortrait Fix mode.

Olympus pioneered easy-to-use Art Filters for still images captured inside its E-System DSLRs, and now those same In-Camera Creative Features are built into the E-P1 with a fresh twist - they can also be applied to High Definition video recordings to take your videos to a new level of creative expression and put you in the director's chair.

Lens Interchangeability
Because the E-P1 is an interchangable lens system camera you have more creative options in composition for video capture, to add to your visual palette. You can attach any one of the new super-compact Micro Four Thirds lenses or, because the camera can accept all other Four Thirds Format lenses with an available MMF-1 Four Thirds System Lens Adapter, you can add anything from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super telephoto lens for a wide range of expressive options. All the while you will have more DSLR-like control over depth of field, focus, white balance and ISO.

Retro Lens Adaptability
The design parameters of the E-P1 using the Micro Four Thirds system, theoretically, makes it the most 'lens compatible' system on the market - you could in principle produce physical adapters for just about any lens designed for 35mm (or larger), specifically manual focus lenses from older film SLRs. Olympus has already launched an adapter for its own legacy OM (manual focus SLR) lenses, Panasonic is promising one for Leica M and R lenses, and third parties are looking at a range of other options. It's not surprising camera geeks are excited by the possibilities offered by the new format.