June 30, 2011 Imran Sherwani

Continuing their efforts to popularize their Micro Four Thirds system, Olympus has launched three more cameras, the PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3 and PEN E-PM1. All three cameras come with a 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor, built-in image stabilization, TruePic VI image processor, 12,800 ISO limit, 1080i video recording and what Olympus claims to be the world’s fastest auto-focus system.

Olympus Pen E-P3

The Olympus PEN E-P3 is the new flagship of the digital PEN fleet, offering ultra-fast AF, a pop-up flash, a comprehensive set of manual controls and a 610,000-dot touch-sensitive OLED screen. Olympus says it has implemented the world’s fastest auto-focus system in the PEN E-P3, making it “a genuine alternative to bulkier and more expensive SLRs”. Other highlights include a metal body, a 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor with a top sensitivity setting of ISO 12800, 3fps continuous shooting, 1080i/60fps high-definition video recording with stereo sound, a flash hot-shoe, an accessory port, an electronic level gauge and no less than 3 customisable buttons for easy operation. The new OLED touchscreen offers fingertip scrolling and enlarging of photos as well as control of the shutter release, AF points and the pop-up Live Guide. The Olympus E-P3 will be available from August for £799. This price includes the camera body and a 14-42mm kit zoom.

Olympus Pen E-PM1 key specifications:

Updated 12.3 MP Live MOS sensor
120 Hz ‘Fast AF’ focus system
Built-in flash
Built-in autofocus illuminator light
Touch-sensitive VGA-equivalent 614,000 dot OLED screen (3:2 aspect ratio)
Dual-core TruePic VI processor
1080i 60 movies in AVCHD format
Shadow tone adjustment control
Revised and expanded Art Filter mode (with quick preview option)
Interchangeable hand grips
In-body image stabilisation (works with all lenses)

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The PEN E-P3 14-42 kits is available with the body in classic black, white or silver from August 2011, for £799.

Olympus Pen E-PM1

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 (also known as the PEN Mini) is a small and lightweight 12-megapixel compact system camera featuring what its manufacturer claims to be the world’s fastest auto-focus system, with 35 AF points and an AF assist light. Other notable features include in-body image stabilisation, a top shutter speed of 1/4000th second, a 5fps continuous shooting mode, a top sensitivity setting of ISO 12800, a hot-shoe, an accessory port and the ability to record 1080i high-definition videos with stero sound, with the capability to apply one of 6 Art Filters to videos as they are being captured. The Olympus PEN E-PM1 is available from early autumn 2011 with pricing to be confirmed.

Olympus Pen E-PM1 key specifications:

Updated 12.3MP Live MOS sensor
120 Hz ‘Fast AF’ focus system
Clip-on flash (included)
Built-in autofocus illuminator light
460,000 dot tilting LCD screen (16:9 aspect ratio)
Dual-core TruePic VI processor
1080i 60 movies in AVCHD format
Shadow tone adjustment control
Revised and expanded Art Filter mode (with quick preview option)

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The PEN Mini is available in black, white, silver, dark brown, purple and silver rose from early autumn 2011.

Olympus PEN E-PL3

The new Olympus PEN Lite (also called the Olympus PEN E-PL3) is a 12-megapixel compact system camera with a tilting LCD screen and extremely fast auto focus. Like the other two Olympus Micro Four Thirds system cameras announced today, the Olympus E-PL3 boasts what its manufacturer calls the world’s fastest AF system; with 35 AF points, low-light AF Illuminator and out-of-picture AF Tracking. Unique to the E-PL3 is a 3” tiltable LCD screen that makes it easy to take ground-level or above-the-head shots. Other features include sensor-shift image stabilisation, 5fps sequential shooting, 1080i HD video recording, a maximum sensitivity of ISO12800, a hot shoe and an accessory port. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is available from autumn 2011 with pricing to be confirmed.