Olympus Pen E-P1 Review
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From the OM system 35mm SLRs and lenses to the XA series rangefinders and the half-frame Pen models, Olympus has for at least half a century been notable for producing cameras that are smaller than their competitors without sacrificing quality or functionality. And they haven't stopped; the E-450 and its predecessors are still the world's smallest digital SLRs, and the new E-620 is considerably smaller than similarly specified competitors (finally realizing the 'smaller format, smaller camera' promise we were all sold on when Four Thirds originally launched).
The apex of this miniaturization was surely the Pen F and its variants - the interchangeable lens versions of the hugely popular Pen series (over 17 million of the various models were sold between 1959 and the mid 80's when half-frame finally died out). A fully-fledged single lens reflex camera that was smaller than most rangefinders (thanks to its half frame film format), the Pen F was innovative, it was stylish and, in 1963 when it was launched, it was universally lauded, and 45 years later enjoys true classic status.
The E-P1 was intended for use with the remarkably small/lightweight M. Zuiko lenses, but it also accepts the full-size Micro Four Thirds lenses with an MMF-1 Olympus MMF-1 Four Thirds to Micro Four Thirds Adapter adapter ($180) and the old manual focus OM lenses with an MF-2 Olympus MF-2 OM Lens to Micro Four Thirds Adapter adapter ($170).
