The Olympus PEN E-P1
Around 2010 I purchased my first Olympus camera: The PEN E-P1. The E-P1 had just been released at the time, and it was Olympus’ first mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera. Coming from a bulky Canon DSLR, I remember the appeal of such a compact, good-looking interchangeable lens system camera with a 12MP sensor, and I have to say, it delivered on all of its promises.
After a wonderful few years with it, I ended up selling my E-P1 when I upgraded to an OM-D E-M5 around 2013. The OM-D lineup has been my go-to for most of my photographic needs ever since, but I’ve regretted selling that E-P1 for a very long time.
Fast forward 13 years, there’s a small family of E-P1s living amongst my Olympus collection these days. I first repurchased a used one a few years ago for nostalgic reasons and couldn’t help myself adding several more since, in both silver and white. I even got one for my 8-year-old daughter, who’s picked up an interest in photography too.
What I like about the E-P1
Part of why I personally love the E-P1 so much is, of course, nostalgia: this was the camera I fell in love with back in 2010 and the camera that helped me progress in my photography a lot. Of course, the E-P1 doesn’t quite live up to today’s standards: if you’ve got pretty much any premium mirrorless camera from the last decade, the E-P1 will feel slow in comparison and lacks things like an EVF, touchscreen, mic input and so on.
However, that’s not to say the E-P1 is just a pretty paperweight in 2023. Not at all in fact, I would say. Nostalgia aside, there are plenty of reasons why I still love taking this camera out: first of all, it is every bit as beautiful as its always been — very, very few digital cameras can compare to it when it comes to looks, build quality and just feeling right in hand; The weight of it, the sunken mode dial and the very minimal layout of the controls are a breath of air compared to many of the later mirrorless cameras that are crammed full of buttons and options.
Furthermore, there’s something about the colour science of the E-P1 and other early PENs that’s quite unique, and I love the somewhat film-like aesthetic of the files. Even today, I am still surprised by the quality of the RAW files and how nicely they can be processed and edited.
Finally, then, the price of a decent used E-P1 was, or at least used to be, so low that it’s almost a no-brainer to get one just to play around with. Just a few years ago, these cameras went for under €100, sometimes even paired with a lens. Prices have gone up quite a bit since, unfortunately, but if you do a bit of research, you can still find them for a decent enough price. Plus, it’s clear that these used PENs keep their value quite well.
RIGHT: Olympus E-P1 . Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mmF3.5-5.6 @14mm . f/7.1 . 1/320″ . ISO 200
“My name is Bart-Jan Verhoef, I am an enthusiastic photographer from The Hague, The Netherlands. I am intrigued by everyday magic and I love exploring local nature through my lens. I love the Micro Four Thirds format and am as excited about the latest and greatest as I am about early digicams.
I share my photos and stories around the web and on social media. You can find me on Instagram www.instagram.com/bartjanverhoef/, Youtube www.youtube.com/@bartjanverhoef/ as well on my personal website at www.bartjanverhoef.com/.”
Javan Cooney
May 30, 2023 @ 15:36
Still have 2 that are my back ups and everyday shooters. Got into the pens because when I shot film I always preferred a small camera. Files blow up to 16×20 (despite what the pixel peepers may say) quite well. I have used these professionally.
Jeffrey Johnson
May 31, 2023 @ 06:55
Recently bought an E-PL1 with the usual broken IBIS but only 433 shutter activations. Looks mint. Also bought the TTArtisan 25mm f2, which makes a great every day carry combo. I have some other vintage lenses I use with it too, and occasionally the old plastic kit lenses if I don’t feel like manually focusing for some reason.
Chye Yay
May 31, 2023 @ 07:45
I couldn’t afford the EP -1 so I bought the EPL-1. What’s the comparison please?
Rob
June 1, 2023 @ 09:31
OMDS surely must remodel this Pen or another and compete with the Ricoh GR3. What an opportunity OMDS have to be the first MFT maker to offer a new 20 mpx urban/street model that can also be confidently employed in other contexts. Perhaps a slightly smaller Pen with a fixed 35mm lens?
Panasonic have reportedly put the Lumix LX100 Mark 2 in mothballs. The GX9 also seems to be on ice, as is the Lumix GX880 model.
OMDS – come on, do it !
Alex Hyland
September 28, 2023 @ 23:53
I just saw one at a charity shop for £50 and couldn’t believe it. Grabbed it of course! Very pleased indeed.
Louie Bodenstaff
November 2, 2023 @ 12:25
A great article and lovely images, thanks for sharing!
It goes to show how awesome these cameras are, regardless of age or model, in the right hands they are very capable indeed.
I love my E-PL1 which shares the same 12mp sensor. I am often blown away by the images it produces.
Long live M4/3!
Gregory Lee Donoghue
June 12, 2024 @ 12:16
Outdated Tech. OM should come out with a new Pen with updated sensor to please the small camera customers. And while OM does that, they should come out with a new OM-1X, Pro Camera with 2 batteries, larger sensor, to handle the great long len’s such as 150-400, 150-600, 100-400, 300 F-4. That is my 2 cents worth.
Michelle
August 6, 2024 @ 09:55
Good evening Bart, I thoroughly enjoyed your article on the Olympus EP 1. I am new to photography but am keen to purchase something that is simple to use but still produce awesome images.
Many have said that you don’t need the most up to date camera, as often it’s the person “behind the lens”…I want something affordable that I can learn and grow with. And want to get in the habit of just having a camera in my bag, just like our mobile phones….thank you for an informative article…will subscribe to your YouTube channel as well. Keep up the awesome 👌 work 🙂🙂