Review Olympus E-PL3 & E-PM1 Camera

Besides E-P3 which is equipped with amazing features, Olympus also has another awesome products, Pen Lite E-PL3 and Pen Mini E-PM1. E-PL3 positioned as the successor of E-PL2, but their features and design are very different so  E-PL3 can be categorized as a new line. E-PM1, by contrast, is a new design.

E-PL3 get many new features compared to E-PL2, such as LCD screen which can be rotated, new AF system, faster continuous shot, metal body, and full HD video recording. However, this camera is also missing an important feature, that is built-in flash.

Olympus E-PL3 Features:

• New generation 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor, same as E-P3.
• Image processor dual-core TruePic VI (again, same as E-P3).
• Mount Micro Four Thirds with crop factor 2x.
• 35 point AF system as found on E-P3.
• Compact metal body, with color choice: black, silver, white and red.
• Vibration dampers on the sensor.
• 3-inch LCD that can be rotated,  460,000 dot resolution.
• No built-in flash, but included a small flash in the sales package (GN 10 at ISO 200). It remains unclear whether this flash can be used to control the wireless flash.
• Full manual control, using RAW image format.
• Continuous shoot 5.5 frames / sec with off IS (4.1 fps with active IS).
• Only six Art Filters (compared to 10 in E-P3).
• Full HD video recording (1080/60i, 30p) with stereo audio and continuous AF. AVCHD compression.
• Slot SD / SDHC / SDXC card.
• HDMI Output.
• Marketed with 14-42mm / 3.5 - 5.6 or 17mm/2.8 pancake lens.

    
E-PM1 has thinner body than E-PL3, making it more portable. However, there is fewer number of buttons on E-PM1, so users need to go more often to change the camera settings menu. In addition, E-PM1 has many features similar to E-PL3.

E-PM1 specifications that differ with E-PL3:

• Body is smaller with fewer buttons (and no play button). Available in purple, pink, brown, white, silver, and black.
• 3-inch LCD screen that can not be rotated, 460000 dot resolution.
• Only available  kit lens option 14-42mm / 3.5 to 5.6 in the sales package.

Picture:

Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PM1