Olympus sub-600 MFT camera arrives

Olympus in a low key move today began selling the E-PL1 through Amazon. Arriving in the promised black, blue and gold colors a week early, the compact is the least expensive Micro Four Thirds camera available but simultaneously fixes a number of problems with earlier models: it carries a pop-up flash, continuous autofocusing and a direct 720p recording button. Its chief sacrifices are the lack of a thumb dial at the upper left and the addition of an (optional) beginners' Live Guide mode.

Every version of the E-PL1 available so far costs the expected $600 in a kit with a 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens. The optional 14-150mm f4-5.6 telephoto and 9-18mm f4-5.6 lenses are still slated for June and will cost $600 and $700 when they arrive. Olympus hasn't said if kits will be available with these lenses, though most any Micro Four Thirds lens from Panasonic or Olympus should work.

By Electronista Staff