First Thoughts
How would I categorize the E-P1? Really it is the camera of otherness in my opinion. It isn't a SLR, it isn't a point and shoot camera. It isn't a purely amateur camera nor is it a professional camera. It is a combination of everything, and like no other camera ever made. Even the Panasonic GH1 and E-P1 are very different. I am one of the very few photographers to have actually use both cameras. The GH1 is shaped very similar to a traditional DSLR. The Lenses are similar in size to other Four Thirds lenses, Even the Electronic Viewfinder is very similar to the high end video cameras, where as the E-P1 lies somewhere between a point and shoot camera, and a SLR. It has a very small form factor of a Point and shoot camera, but it has the image quality of a SLR (Olympus is claiming better image quality than the E-30 which is the best image quality to date in my opinion).
The E-P1 is an incredible camera, its size is nearly perfect for when you want to carry a camera but the E-3 /E-30 is to big. It does fit in my pants pocket, but it still is a big bulge. There are only two areas where the E-P1 lacks in my opinion, first is the lack of an optical viewfinder of some type, and second is lack of a few fast lenses for narrow depth of field (The camera does allow for ISO 6400!! Which deals with the majority of shutter speed issues, as well as built in IS to assist with that issue). I wish that Olympus would include a viewfinder flash attachment which zooms in and out with the lens, so that the camera is more useable outside in bright day light conditions.
This camera contains nearly every single technology that Olympus has released over the last 6 years in a very, very small package. To fit the SSWF, IS, Sensor, Battery, SD card, Image Processor, LCD, Shutter, electronics, and whatever else I am missing, Olympus has done an absolutely amazing job to get all of the various components into a very small package. The only technology that Olympus did not include is the ability to use the FL-50r / FL-36r as a remote flash, with wireless TTL, but that would require the camera to have a built in flash, which it doesn't, and really a built in flash is nearly useless except as a wireless flash controler. Also because the E-P1 is so small the camera does not have physically have room for a flash, or a built in viewfinder, that is the compromise that this camera has.
I have shot with this camera in nearly every light condition that I could in a couple days. The LCD performs very well in all conditions but bright day light (like around noon time). In bright daylight conditions the viewfinder is hard to see, and that is the reality of using an LCD. It has been greatly improved over the last couple of years, but it still isn't perfect, nor is an Electronic viewfinder in my opinion as on the GH1/G1. But the biggest drawback of an LCD only camera is you loose the extra stability that placing the camera against you head in which that provides.
The other major area of critique right now is the lack of Micro Four Thirds lenses. Really the entire series of Four thirds lenses are available to use on this camera with an adaptor, as are nearly every other mount, with true infinity focus. But right now we have a very limited set of lenses. Though we do have a very full system of Four Thirds lenses. Similarly since this camera shoots video the AF motor will be quite annoying, and it is here that the GH1 has a leg up on this camera. But really I would love to see a 11mm f2.8, 25mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4, and 70mm f2.0 lens to go with this camera, as well as a 12-60mm video lens, but only time will tell. I do believe that in 2010 Olympus plans on releasing Micro Four thirds equivalent lenses of the 9-18mm and a telephoto, which I am guessing will be similar to the current 70-300mm.
As for me, and having used the E-P1 for a few days I can say that this camera is extraordinary. I am doing my best to get a production body ASAP. This camera really is perfect for a Pen camera. It is designed to be with you. I believe that Olympus was correct in putting a lot of effort towards this series. But I know for a fact that the first or second response to the preview will be one of two comments either How is the image quality and second where is the E-3 replacement. So again Sample images will be published as soon as I get a version 1.0 body. Second I did ask Mr. Terada about the next high end camera, and he says "We are always considering the successor, and how to keep the top end usersβ¦.", and then with a smile says "Don't worry".
In summary this camera will not replace a top end SLR, its goal is to be a step up camera for point and shoot users, as well as a camera that serious photographers carry with them. It is designed to be priced affordably, as well as carry the top quality images that the most critical desire. With these requirements above no other camera can from my experience compete. This is a birth of a new era of photography, and the rebirth of the Pen series and once again the camera world is changed.
