Olympus Pen E-PL1 May Try Too Hard to Beat Panasonic

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olympus-pen

What happens when you try to style your camera after a rival? The result may be the Pen E-PL1 from Olympus. The Micro Four Thirds camera has become ungainly as it attempts to keep abreast with Panasonic’s GF1, reviewers say.

The remade Pen EP-1 has gained some new features in its updated E-PL1 form. Along with the requisite HD support, the camera has added a pop-up flash and image stabilization. Also piquing interest is a system of Live Guides which allow you correct the image on-screen before snapping the photo.

However, as Wired puts it, the upgrade has “created a Frankenstein’s monster.”

The Olympus E-PL1, with a Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens will cost $600 in March.

[Via Gadget Lab and Olympus]

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