Rabu, 19 September 2012

Hands on: Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Hands on: Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Updated: We have now had chance to shoot some images with a full-production version of the E-PL5. Scroll down to see some sample images with links to download the high resolution shots.

As before, the new Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 is smaller than the Olympus PEN, but bigger than the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2. The compact system camera also accepts interchangeable grips that are fixed onto the body by a chunky screw, and boasts a touchscreen.

We haven't had time to conduct a full review yet, since it was only just announced at Photokina 2012, but since it has the same 16.1MP sensor and TruePic VI image processor as the Olympus OM-D, the prognosis is good.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5

The image quality from the Olympus OM-D has impressed many photographers, and the possibility of getting the same results from a more affordable camera is an enticing option.

Like the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 that it replaces, the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 has a tilting screen, but this 3-inch device is now touch-sensitive. The touch sensitivity doesn't extend to making menu selections, but it functions with the Live Guide that helps novices make settings adjustments and the Art Filter options.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5

In addition to the grip, the tilting screen is the main difference between the PEN Lite E-PL5 and the PEN Mini E-PM2, which has a fixed touchscreen.

As the screen tilts almost right up, it is possible to use it when composing self-portraits, and the image flips over so it looks correct as you face the camera.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

The bottom section of the screen is obscured by the top of the camera, but Olympus says that this compromise was made to enable the screen to also be tilted down for better viewing from below when shooting overhead. We're not convinced by this argument as Sony seems to have managed it.

There's also a helpful self-timer that can be customised to take a sequence of up to 10 shots with different time intervals between them.

Autofocus

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Although the AF point can be selected in the usual way using physical buttons, it can also be set with a touch of a finger on the screen. There's also a Touch Shutter mode that sets the camera to focus on the point selected on the screen and fires the shutter as soon as the subject is sharp. These modes are selected by touching an on-screen icon and toggling through the options.

As with the Olympus PEN E-P3, the size of the AF points can be reduced to make it easier to select a small target, but the newer cameras enable this to be done however the AF point is selected, not just when the touchscreen is used.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5

According to Olympus's Akira Watanabe, one of the key aims for mirrorless camera manufacturers is to increase autofocus speed and reliability, especially when focusing continuously on moving subjects. Olympus claims that it has the fastest AF system around, and that the PEN Lite E-PL5 and PEN Mini E-PM2 can focus a lens in 0.1 seconds.

It certainly seemed quick when we used preproduction samples of the cameras, but we are looking forward to using them in more challenging conditions, to write our full reviews of each CSC.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5

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Low light usually causes contrast detection systems such as the one in the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 to slow down and become more indecisive, so we will be testing its performance in a range of lighting conditions.

Watanabe says that contrast detection AF systems improve with the camera sensor's ability to control noise. Since the sensor and processor combination in the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 is claimed to give a '1-stop' improvement in noise levels, we can expect the new camera's focusing system to be more proficient than the E-PL3's that it replaces.

Creative options

Both the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 have an HDR bracket mode that enables up to five frames to be captured across a range that covers 12EV.

There's also the clever Live Bulb mode that was first seen with the Olympus OM-D (but called Live Time) and shows the image building up during long exposures. Rather than guessing or calculating the exposure duration, you simply close the shutter when the image looks OK on the screen.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

In addition, the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 has 12 Art Filters, adding the new Water Colour effect to the list found on the Olympus OM-D. Olympus is well known for its wide array of art filters, and has added some new functionality.

As before, the Art Filters can be used in P, A, S, M modes, enabling creative control over parameters such as aperture to be retained. Images can also be captured in both raw and JPEG format, enabling the filter to be removed (or even swapped for another one) in the post-capture editing stage.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Some of the filter effects will not be to everyone's taste - we weren't especially keen on the new Water Colour filter's results, for example, but we like the Cross Process and Dramatic Tone options that were seen before on the Olympus OM-D.

Although the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 doesn't have Wi-Fi technology built in, it is compatible with Toshiba's new FlashAir SDHC cards, which creates a wireless network that smartphones can connect to. Provided the appropriate app is installed on the smartphone, images (full or reduced resolution) can be transferred to the phone and shared via the internet using the phone's 3G or Wi-Fi connection.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

While the FlashAir card can also be used in older PEN cameras and the OM-D, only the new Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 provide some control over the transfer process. At the time of our meeting with Olympus, it hadn't been decided if the cameras will come with the card or not. However, the cards are available for sale.

Sample images

We've now had some shooting time with the new Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5, and can share the results in their full resolution - hooray. Several of these images were shot with the new Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Locking onto a subject with the Olympus PEN E-PL5 is quick and easy, and also proving accurate in the majority of cases.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Colour reproduction from the E-PL5 is accurate, without being overly bright and punchy.

Art filters

Olympus is well known for its love affair with the digital filter. The new PENs have a wide range of different options, some of which are shown below. One handy feature of the PEN is that you can Art Bracket, meaning the several versions of the same shot can be taken, each with a different filter effect applied.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Grainy Film filter

Click here to see the full resolution image

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Pop Art filter

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Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Diorama

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Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Sepia

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Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Pin Hole

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Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

Dramatic Tone

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Early verdict

The Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5's interchangeable grips are an option we have seen before with the Olympus PEN, and its a great idea that enables you to find the grip that suits you. This, and the tilting LCD screen, makes the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 a more versatile camera.

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5 review

While we have yet to examine images from the new Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5, we can be fairly confident that it will deliver decent results, given the Olympus OM-D origin of its sensor and image processor.

This camera's raw files (after conversion to TIFF) are able to trump those from the Fuji X-Pro1, Panasonic Lumix GX1, Sony NEX-7 and Olympus E-P3 for dynamic range and signal to noise ratio.

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