Small and light body with SLR-quality
Mirrorless structure for compact, lightweight body that can be taken anywhere
With conventional SLR cameras, the image is captured through the lens, passed through a mirror and pentaprism, and viewed on the viewfinder screen. With the Micro Four Thirds System standard, on the other hand, the mirror has been eliminated. With no need to incorporate a mirror box inside the camera, the length of the flange back can be reduced by about half without changing the image sensor size or compromising the image quality. Compared to our E-420 - the world's smallest* digital SLR camera - the width has been reduced by about 8.5 mm, the height by about 20 mm and the thickness by about 18 mm. As a result, the overall volume has also been reduced by approx.58%.
* Among interchangeable-lens type digital SLR cameras (as of June 16, 2009, our in-house research).
12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor
The image sensor uses a High-Speed Live MOS Sensor featuring 12.3 megapixels and a high-speed readout. In combination with the high optical performance provided by Micro Four Thirds lenses, this sensor captures high-resolution images that accurately reproduce your composition with exquisite detail, rich gradations and natural colours.
TruePic V image processing engine
The TruePic V image-processing engine is a refined version of the high-performance TruePic III+ engine, delivering clearer, higher-resolution images by exploiting the full performance of the lens. Sophisticated noise reduction that removes noise without obliterating details allows high-sensitivity shooting at ISO 6400 and beautifully reproduces delicate colour changes.
Built-in image stabilization at up to 4 EV steps
A newly developed compact image stabilization mechanism is integrated in the camera to compensate for camera shake by up to 4 EV steps*. Since the stabilizing mechanism is built into the camera body, it can function with any lens without compromising its optical performance. Two modes - I.S.2 (horizontal) and I.S.3 (vertical) make possible blur-free panning shots in either the horizontal or vertical direction. The image stabilization mechanism works also when the mount adapter (optional) is used.
- * The correction effect varies depending on the lens type and shooting conditions.
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses designed exclusively for the Micro Four Thirds System
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are designed exclusively for the Micro Four Thirds System by optimizing the mount diameter and signal contacts. Reflecting the PEN's ability to achieve high image quality, the digital-dedicated design of these compact lenses takes full advantage of the characteristics of digital photography, delivering light to every corner of the image sensor and ensuring high quality for both still and moving images.
- * Interchangeable lenses designed for the Four Thirds System can be mounted using an adapter.
Easy operation
Live View for easy operation & new GUI for intuitive operation
As easy to use as a compact camera, the PEN incorporates an 11-area multiple high-speed imager AF mechanism and a 3.0-inch large LCD monitor featuring a wide viewing angle of 176° in all four directions and high visibility even under sunlight. In addition, Face Detection detects and focuses human faces automatically, while Shadow Adjustment Technology adjusts the brightness of the faces and background automatically. To simplify adjustments during shooting and allow you to concentrate on shooting pictures, Live Control shows the shooting function icons on the LCD monitor. Using the main and sub dials, you can select and operate the icon controls without taking your eyes off the screen view, checking the settings in real time on the Live View monitor.
Various shooting modes for enhanced high quality shooting
The PEN comes with two shooting mode - Easy Shooting mode, in which the camera automatically adjusts the settings according to the shooting conditions, and Advanced Shooting mode, in which aperture and shutter speed can be manually adjusted for more creative control. Easy Shooting mode includes iAUTO, which automatically sets the optimum scene mode (Portrait / Landscape / Macro / Sports / Night Scene / Night Scene & Portrait*) when you point the camera at the subject, as well as 19 Scene Modes, Art Filter and Movie. Advanced Shooting mode lets you select from the P (programme), A (aperture-priority), S (shutter-priority) and M (manual).
- * Night Scene & Portrait mode is determined only when an external flash is attached.
e-Portrait to enhance skin texture for a large-screen HD display
The "e-Portrait" scene mode smoothes out skin tones and texture. When e-Portrait is set before shooting, the camera saves the same image before and after compensation*1. The compensation effect can also be added in the edit mode after shooting.
- *1. The size of the compensated image is saved at 2560 x 1920.
- * The compensation effect may not be obtained with certain subjects.
MF Assist function for easy manual focusing
During S-AF + MF or MF operation, just turn the focus ring to magnify the part of the image that you want to focus on by 7X or 10X. The magnification ratio can be alternated by dial operation, making accurate manual focusing possible and supporting more precise manual focusing in close-up shooting.
Slideshow with mixed movies/still images/sound
You can create a slideshow that mixes still images, movies, and sound. The camera incorporates five kinds of background music as well as slideshow control functions including still image fade-in/out, sound recording volume, and background music volume adjustment.
HDMI output for viewing pictures and movies on a TV screen
You can connect the camera to an HDMI-equipped TV set via a commercially available HDMI mini-cable and view high-quality HD movies and images together with stereo audio.
Expressive Power
SLR-quality HD movie mode with AF and Art Filter compatibility
You can record HD-quality movies in either the widescreen 16:9 (1280 x 720, 30 fps) aspect ratio or the standard 4:3 (640 x 480, 30 fps) ratio. Movies are recorded in the AVI Motion JPEG format, assuring trouble-free playback on a PC. Because the image sensor is much larger than those used in HD video cameras, the PEN delivers even higher image quality. By controlling the aperture or using a different type lens, you can produce a variety of effects unique to interchangeable-lens photography, such as defocused images or arresting perspectives. The built-in electronic image stabilization mechanism works regardless of the lens used, and the Art Filter can also be applied to moving images so you can create stylish movies*. In addition, the movie + still image shooting function lets you save still images continuously as movie frames, allowing you to record a movie while waiting for the right shutter chance.
- * The frame rate varies according to the Art Filter used.
- * For image stabilization in the movie mode, electronic image stabilization is applied. With this function, the recorded image is slightly enlarged. Excessive camera shake may not be compensated for by electronic image stabilization.
- * For movie shooting, it is recommended to use an SD/SDHC card of the speed class 6.
Stereo Linear PCM recording for high-fidelity audio
The high quality of Olympus audio has been proven with its digital IC recorders. The stereo linear PCM system's non-compressed digital recording delivers superior audio quality with an impressive sense of presence. As well as sound recording during movie shooting, audio post-recording with still images can easily be performed directly on the camera.
Art Filter for a new creative perspective
Express yourself with these six exciting Art Filter effects. Add one of these stylish effects to your image and preview the result on the LCD monitor before you actually take the picture. Art Filter effects can also be applied to RAW images that have already been recorded with normal shooting.
POP ART
Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid, creating high-impact pictures that express the feeling of the pop art style.
SOFT FOCUS
Creates an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. The result is a fantastic style, which renders the subject as if it is veiled in heavenly light.
PALE & LIGHT COLOUR
The reality in front of you is enclosed in a flat, gentle light, floating serenely in its own world, like an image in your memory.
LIGHT TONE
Renders both the shade and highlight areas very softly to provide a sophisticated feeling.
GRAINY FILM
Recreates the strong presence of a monochrome picture, making the subject impressive in a style that emphasizes the theme.
PIN HOLE
Reduces the peripheral brightness to create a secretive perspective or the feeling of being lost in another dimension or space.
Multi-Aspect ratios to suit different creative requirements
Four aspect ratios are available: standard 4:3; 16:9 for impressive, cinematic-style images; 6:6 - used by medium-format cameras; and 3:2, which is equivalent to the 35mm film size. You can select the ratio that best suits your creative requirements.
Multiple Exposure lets you shoot while previewing the final result
With Live View, multi-exposure shooting is much easier because you can shoot the next frame while superimposing your last shot as a semi-transparent image, allowing you to see what your final result will look like.
