Olympus brings back sepia-tinged memories of film with its retro rangefinder looking digital Pen. Clad in a brushed and polished metal casing, there's little doubt the new Pen can take a beating. It's packed with modern features that seasoned photographers and new-to-the-scene-sters will embrace — once you've mastered the less than completely refined user interface. Although the digi-Pen works well as a weighty point-and-shoot, it's built for folk intent on crafting images rather than merely shooting from the hip. If you do choose this Pen, be sure to use the histogram to judge your exposures, because the LCD is woeful compared with its similarly priced competitors.
Review: Olympus E-P1 Camera
Packaged in a brushed and polished metal casing, the Olympus E-P1 camera screams both brawn and retro chic. Overlook the lo-res LCD and instead appreciate this cam's top-notch stabilization abilities and tidy images.
WIRED
Solidly built, nostalgically styled 12.3-megapixel cam that rewards a considered approach to picture-taking. Tidy images up to ISO 1600. Manual controls. Mated with the low-profile 17-mm f2.8 lens ($300), this is a street shooter's dream. Excellent image stabilization. Magnified preview feature zooms in up to 10X to help you fine-tune focus.
TIRED
Lo-res LCD a real disappointment. Complicated menus. External flash only ($200). Subpar low-light, ultrahigh-ISO shots.
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