Olympus Pen

Playing around with AkibaHobby-sans Olympus Pen last week at the TFS.

This camera is incredible! The lens is just awesome. Recommended for folks who cant be bothered to lug around an SLR but want something a bit more compact with SLR quality.
Some samples at Flickr and the video quality looks brilliant too.
Apparently the smallest digital camera with a removable lens.

Looks like wifey wants one ^^;
The twin lens kit currently costs about 107,000 yen. The lenses is being:-
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED14-42mm F3.5-5.6
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F2.8
Cheapest prices available at http://kakaku.com/item/K0000041116/ with the body alone costing about 80,000 yen.
While wifey will probably get the Pen, I'm waiting for more details about the rumored Lumix GF1 to succeed my Lumix LX3.
Speaking of cameras - would love to see your imaging armory too - post them over at figure.fm.

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studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
the quality is same like DSLR? maybe do want ^^;
Web Designer & Game Developer
http://www.naffworld.co.uk/blog/
Nice, love the old school look! just needs a flash cube on top :)
Anyone tried Ricoh cameras? The Mrs and I invested in one recentley and its amazing! http://www.ricohcx1.co.uk/
Student
The lens is removable , right?
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Yes, its interchangeable based on the Micro Four Thirds system. Four Thirds lenses will also mount on the PEN with some adapters.
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
that hand grip area in front of the camera looks a bit out of place... Makes it look old school. But that being like SLR quality is amazing! I love compact stuff and would love to get this.
No more NEET, enineering student now...g
http://saiseki.blogsome.com/
Looks good! I think I prefer to lug around a DSLR though... Looks more cool while taking pictures ^^;
Viewfinder
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harem/
agreed ;)
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
IM SEEING DOUBLE - 4 eyes!
delicious bouncing ones at that
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
Don't look t it directly!!
otaku-ist
http://myanimelist.net/profile/mel
They're bouncing at the same exact time, they're synced!
Network Specialist by day, Otaku by some other time
Its hypnotic! I feel like I'll do anything these guys would ask me too ....
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
You two again... ^^;
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
It costs 39k-40k in Clovisland (PH) Currency. Might as well get a DSLR if it's at that price here. Although it's quality is indeed good.
Otari Vader, Sith Lord for Hire, will fillet Makoto Itou for free
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
True that.
Customer Service
http://www.shewsbury.com
Maybe some people would prefer the small compact size and the light weight... thus I think this camera will attract many female as their potential buyer....
writer/blogger/gamer/otaku
http://popgoespj.blogspot.com
That's already the cost of mid-range DSLR here, so I'd prefer that over this.
Student
http://mattmac.vox.com/
Thats a really cool little camera. Plus at that size with the same or similar quality to a SLR, sounds like a great buy. maybe. ^^
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT
I've been waiting for this for ages!
But i'll still end up getting a G10... ( ≖‿≖)
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com/
Same... it looks like great camera. But I only got my LX3 a couple months ago... >.<
But Christmas is practically just around the corner!
hikikomori
Quite the retro look.
Does this use Olympus' FourThirds system?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
I beleive this is the fourthirds system.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Four Thirds does not really belong to Olympus since its a open standard. Panasonic cameras like the G1 also uses the Four Thirds mount for lenses.
houkouonchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_mango/
Micro FourThirds...
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
If I'm not mistaken, Samsung Lumix already beat Pentax size wise with the same micro four thirds system, and they also added a built-in retractable flash.
I'm very interested in those... in fact, I'm thinking of selling my Canon XSi to grab the Lumix...
Of course I'd like to test one before... must feel kinda weird not having Pentaprism and Mirror...
Graphic Designer - youtube- http://www.youtube.com/user/Travelersgear
http://travelersgear.blogspot.com/
That Olympus pen looks pretty cool. I really like the body design. I look forward to your review of the Lumix GF1 if you get it. I was considering getting an LX3 but decided to hold off until I hear more about the GF1.
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
That looks like an awesome camera, and the pics on the screen look fantastic. Only bit I'm unsure of is the colours. White and gold with a little leather patch? Not my thing lol.
About that......
nice camera, portable with the similar features to an SLR camera
Support
Seems like more and more four thirds cameras coming out nowadays. I would still like to get and LX3 but wsith better zoom. I hope they still decide to make an LX4. For me, detachable lenses would be nice but that just means more things to lug around.
All round good guy and musician
I've had a few Olympus cameres over the years, my first being a Pen which was able to take half-size slides. They were all good cameras, and the lenses were always superb. Ahh, memories!
I am currently using a Pentax, but only because it was the best I could afford at the time, so not real regrets.
Student
http://kokost.deviantart.com/
Not too fond of the lack of a viewfinder... still, its a first step. Maybe my wishes will be answered in future models.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
I hear you on the viewfinder. For me, they come in handy when the battery starts dying or the sun's glaring. A lot of cameras and camcorders don't come with them any more.
Student
http://kokost.deviantart.com/
I just don't like the big screen at the back. It might be useful at times but I just don't want everyone seeing what I'm taking. A bright screen is also the last thing I want for taking photographs in the dark.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
I'd tested it out during last weekend PC Fair, it's a pretty awesome piece of camera, but I also notice there's no build-in pop-up flash unlike the LX3.
Panasonic Four Thirds compact camera might be the rumored GF-1 compatible to it 4/3 DSLR G-1.
Will be posting up my LX3 compact mode & full-gear mode soon~
Student, Software Engineer in the Making!!!
http://miettechan.wordpress.com/
Hmm, to expensive and high level for me. I'll go with the tried and true LX3, time for an upgrade.
Sentai Ranger
http://morganlamia.blogspot.com/
Nice, it looks very nifty (and slightly retro). Far too much for my poor wallet though, lol.
University Stalker... umm University Student?
e-p1 i thought it meant "e-peni" dirty mind...
i wonder if the original code was O-p1....
三年せいとオタク
The quality looks awesome but not to sure of how the camera looks itself.
Associate Network Administrator
I can see that 17mm f2.8 being quite useful. Maybe this'll replace my S3, though at the price tag... this won't be happening soon.
student
Love the quality footage! I do want it,but I want the lumix more...
Me too! I'm curious to the GF1.
Student
the GF1 isn't the direct successor to the LX3 series right?
So there will also be an LX4?
Student
I was about to say that's super cheap for a camera but then I realized I was off on the price by a factor of 10 -__- Pretty cool nonetheless, I still can't decide if I should go the DSLR route or get one of these types of compacts with DSLR quality :/
Games addicted
http://addictedtoludus.com/
That's a nice camera... But i just took two months ago the amazing LX3 becouse of you danny... what a camera!
Computer science student
What about it's flash qualities inside of rooms??
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
wow the video is very impressive O_O! and that girl's so pretty heehee :P
security/3d graphic artist
http://www.kennethleishman.com/
800$ j ust for the body? i can get a decent SLR for that much.. .. .. really need to save up for a good camera... would be nice this one though.. great pics..
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
Very classy looking camera.
"Penny" looks cute too.
IT Professional
http://jairoburgos.wordpress.com
Looks powerful and compact but SLR still rock my World.
Student
WOW! for such a compact camera I think I might get this one and won't need anything else.
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Was looking at this in a newspaper advertisement, but I don't really know much about cameras, only the basics, but I do know I still want the Lumix LX3 or the new one because of the macro lens and pop-up flash compared to this PEN.
Student
if its lik an SLR
i so want that!
IT Support
I reckon the Pen is too awkward to use with zoom lenses. Panasonic has got the right idea with releasing primes with the GF1 if those spy scans are to be believed.
http://moemoekyun.wordpress.com
quite big EH !!
Medical student
http://www.protocolsnow.com
Oooh... I'm in the same boat as Danny. I'm waiting to hear about that next Lumix before deciding whether to get a Lumix or the Olympus Pen. Sometimes it's very inconvenient to carry around a DSLR so that will be perfect.
Medical student
http://www.protocolsnow.com
By the way, Japanese supermodel Jessica Michibata recently bought the Pen ;)
Sniper
http://1254lifejournal.wordpress.com
seems there is a dock for a speedlight.
???Confused???
Do I sense more SACs (Suddenly Acquired Cameras)?...
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
Not bad... I'm not liking the limited 42mm (2.6x) zoom lens and just 7 minutes of HD video, though. Has to be 6x for me at least.
Lazy Gamer at home
http://www.espadakiller.wordpress.com
At that kind of price, you should get a DSLR =/
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
Well, it's compact at least... You can't fit a DSLR in your pocket ;-)
System Admin
http://www.robothentai.com
it depends on what type of pants and how large is the pocket ^^;
I guess it is more feasible to get a DSLR, since that amount of $$$ you could get a decent DSLR such as D90 :)
Well again it depends on individual again and how a person perceive how to spend their $$$ .
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
Oh, you must mean the pants Santa Claus wears. Bet he'll have a few in them to give good children this Christmas!
University Student, otaku
http://chenzen.org
This camera looks sick and compact - too bad I don't have that kind of money =(.
Slacker
Beauty of a camera, I wonder how the LCD is in bright sunlight though. Having an optical viewfinder can be an advantage at times. Olympus lenses are quite excellent.
Student
http://justobserving.wordpress.com/
:D Wow, style reminds me of my dad's old camera. I'll be looking into this one!
College Student, Computer Science Major
http://www.projectsaber.com
Looks pretty cool, but for that price I would rather get a Nikon D5000. ^^;
College Freshmen
The colors make it look old-fashioned or classic. I think it's a nice touch from all the smooth metal look that most digital cameras have.
http://www.stefkov.com/
I like the camera's body. It looks really nice, and the quality looks good in those pictures.
I've got my heart set on a DSLR for now though.
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
just bought a LX3, won't be getting any cameras or anything else for that matter for a long long time :(
Student
That camera looks leathery to me.
Blue Suit Sapien with White Helmet
http://conrad501.wordpress.com/
Wow it's one of those retro camera bodies with the modern digital internals put in it....
I have with me a Minolta DIMAGE Z1 for almost 7 years now and its still snapping away with great quality. Unfortunately the company (now known as KONICA MINOLTA) has shut down its digital camera segment since 2006 and are only focusing on their office equipment lines. :(
anyway...its a cool blast from the past with a modern kick into it. hehehehehe :P
a 'creative' type
I've read a few things about this camera and for a compact DSLR it seems rather good and it looks rather smart too! The main prob with this camera is it is quite expensive, even here in UK, feature wise ev.thing i've read seems to say there's cheaper cameras that do more but not at this size/looks...I keep considering a DSLR but the overall cost always puts me off, I know if i get one it won't get as much use as i originally hope for.
My canon IXUS980 will serve my snap needs!
Otaku ^^
Interesting! Another potential compact DSLR. Let's wait for the Lumix GF1 for comparison.
d@@b
Art Student/Freelancer
http://jenarwen.deviant.art.com
If I had money I'd get one. Sometimes it's better to get something compact
Student
http://lordofgundams.blogspot.com/
If this camera has DSLR quality photos, then I may try to get one.
NEET
Me want!
But the price is a little bit high but I guess you get what you pay for.
anime, programmer, gfx designer, illustrator ^^
http://denkikoiji.com
Very cool but i am wondering what is the best digital camera to get that doesn't coast too much ? i have been wanting to get one for like about a year now i have gone threw 3 digital camera but none of them were good they are the oles that are around $50.00 but right now my limit is $500 so whats a good camera to get thats around $100 to 4500 usd that is good for taking high quality pictures ?
accountant...yeah, what a boring job. =P
i'm salivating over this piece of gadgetry! sadly i can't afford it at this time. :(
i need a sugar mama/papa!
Paintball Technician
http://www.myspace.com/sarsinajar
oh WOW, just what i was looking for, now, i gotta save up XD
Student
wow its really HQ! love the yuki figurine there... lol
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
looks nice~
the design's good too, it gives off a retro vibe ^^
working to pay for figures etc.
http://spacejunq.deviantart.com/
Looks pretty, but I wonder if - like any other screen-only compact - you can see the screen at all in bright sunshine? I doubt it... I'd prefer the Lumix G1 if I was buying a higher end 4/3rds digital. It has a VF...
Part-Time Blogger of Moderately Useless Jibberish
http://www.k-jessop.co.uk
To be honnest, I'd rather spend half as much on a bigger more traditional D/SLR camera, and keep the rest. But hey. If you have the money to throw about, looks like an awesome new toy!
Self Employed - Small Business
The Olympus Pen looks great! The white one is very hard to get in the U.S. Only silver ones are available, the last time I checked... I'm not a fan of white but in this case, I like white better than silver.
Didn't know about the Panasonic GF1, that's news to me! The two lens look awfully similar to the two lens that is currently available with the Olympus Pen. I probably will go for that one when it shows up, it likely will cost less.
Danny - how was the LCD on the Olympus Pen? I read reviews that said the LCD was somewhat disappointing - not that high resolution. Canon's latest cameras has better LCDS, apparently.
Student, PoomDomain Director
http://www.poomdomain.com/
I only have one compact digital camera, being the canon G9. that one is quite good
Copywriter
http://blog.poperror.com
tried out this highly anticipated camera but can't get over the fact that the LCD/screen display is pretty poor, and it doesn't have a flash on it.. have to buy a separate one for the hot shoe. Many situations just call for simple, default flash. Oh well the price is a tad too costly to justify those lacking aspects. Same with Danny here, waiting for something else to succeed my LX3.. personal best of the best!
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com
This camera is around $2000AUD for me >.< I think I'm happy with my <$1000 LUMIX LX3 for now.