PEN

Last week Olympus announced three new PEN Micro Four Thirds cameras - the PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3 and PEN E-PM1 - but today we're going to concentrate on the flagship PEN E-P3.

Packed with a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic VI Image Processor, high ISO of 12,800, a re-engineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with AC3 Dolby Digital sound and numerous Art Filters and creative features, the PEN E-P3 has it all. It even shoots 3D photos!

Touting the world's fastest AF speed, the PEN E-P3 is packaged in an all-metal body and features a three-inch, touch-sensitive 614,000 pixel OLED display, along with full-advanced controls and a built-in, pop-up flash. Check out all the new features:Read more

The first serious camera I owned was an Olympus OM-1 way back in the late 70's. I have been a fan of Olympus cameras every since.

The two lenses I tried with this camera — the 14-42 f3.5-5.6 and the 40-150 f3.5-5.6 —were both excellent. Quality construction and fine optics make these lenses a joy to use. The autofocus is quick and smooth. It locks on to your subject without a lot of searching back and forth. Both have very good edge-to-edge sharpness, with the 14-42 being outstanding.

The Pen E -PL2 is comfortable to hold and has good balance in your hands. The camera has a top shutter speed of 1/4000 and an ISO range of 200-6400. The shutter speed is enough to stop high-speed action and the ISO range allows you to shoot in almost any light without the need for a flash. Read more

Last week at CES Olympus introduced six new cameras, including the new Olympus PEN E-PL2, the fourth in the PEN family of compact interchangeable lens digital cameras, and the Olympus XZ-1, an ultra-compact with a built-in ZUIKO lens. In addition, the company's 2011 point-and-shoot cameras have new features such as 3D photo mode, Eye-Fi card compatibility and new Magic Filters. Here is a rundown:

Olympus PEN E-PL2
The PEN E-PL2 is a great camera for beginners, as well as experienced photographers who want DSLR image quality but without size and weight of a traditional DSLR. This breakthrough camera expands your creative potential with Live Guide II, new in-camera creative features, new auxiliary lenses, and more.

Priced at $599.99, the 12.3-megapixel camera also includes the new MSC ED m14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens (28mm-84mm equiv.), a 3-inch 460,000 dot LCD, ISO 6400 and new Face Detection with Eye Detect. It has 22 Scene-Select Modes, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) Mode, In-Camera Panorama and an iEnhance mode that heightens the warm yellow and orange colors of a sunset.Read more

Olympus just added the new PEN E-PL1 to its lineup of Micro Four Thirds digital cameras. Designed for those who want the power of a DSLR camera but not the bulk or complex interface, the E-PL1 allows you to take beautiful pictures without the difficult learning curve.

This third generation of the Olympus PEN series features a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor, 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD, in-body Image Stabilization, Imager Autofocus, Olympus Dust Reduction System, the TruePic V Image Processor and is the first in the PEN series to include a built-in pop-up flash.

The E-PL1 also has a new Direct Button for HD movies which lets you instantly switch to video recording if you're about to take a picture but realize video would be better. And its new Live Guide lets you preview the Scene modes to see what the picture will look like before you even shoot.Read more