The Olympus E-PL5 is part of the Olympus Pen line of compact, interchangeable lens “mirrorless” cameras. The Pen cameras give photographers nearly the same image quality and performance as a DSLR in a compact camera body. The E-PL5 is extra exciting because it shares the same 16-megapixel sensor as the critically acclaimed Olympus OM-D E-M5 introduced at the beginning of 2012 – but in a smaller, lighter body that’s currently selling for about US $550 – half the cost of the OM-D. The OM-D was the darling of camera and tech journalists in 2012 and being able to get comparable performance in a smaller, lighter camera that’s so affordable is very, very cool.
Olympus sent me an E-PL5 as soon as they were available so I could do a hands-on video intro. One of my favorite things about the Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras is how travel-friendly they are. When I found out our friend Megan Green, a professional photographer who uses Olympus digital SLRs, was scheduled to travel to Cuba for a photo workshop, I knew she had to do the review. When you see the pictures she took with the E-PL5, I think you’ll agree I did the right thing.
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Olympus E-PL5 Pen Intro Video:
Price: $699 with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens
- Olympus E-PL5 Pen Camera Pros
- Retains small, lightweight convenience of Pen system cameras
- 3-inch flip-up LCD display
- Great photos straight out of the camera
- 8 frames-per-second high-speed burst
- Same excellent 16-megapixel sensor as the Olympus OM-D E-M5
- RAW and JPG capability
- Easy-to-use touch screen that focuses as well as trips the shutter
- Customizable Art Filters
- Annoying lag time when powering up and changing modes
- No pop-up flash (but comes with a small hot shoe flash)
Olympus E-PL5 Pen Camera Cons
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Still use the E-P1 and it takes stellar shots. Compared to my full size slr’s and really cannot notice much of a difference. Add the lumix 20mm 1.7 and you have a near perfect camera.