Olympus E-PL3 review

Also known as the PEN Lite, this is the latest retro-style compact system camera to hit the shelves

Boasting a new 12.3-megapixel sensor, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is capable of producing high-res JPEG and RAW images. With a 1080p HD movie mode too, the E-PL3 is a fantastic all-in-one camera for families and enthusiasts looking to step up from a beginner level.

The new lightweight design makes the E-PL3 smaller and more streamlined than its predecessor, the E-PL2, but it’s more robust than it looks. It’s ideal for travel as it can slim down in size thanks to a detachable flash head and handy locking feature on the lens.

We found that all of the on-body buttons were easily accessible thanks to the E-PL3’s layout. The video record button has also been conveniently placed above the thumb grip, enabling you to switch seamlessly from stills to video in any shooting mode. Alternatively you can rotate the mode dial on the camera’s top plate and change between manual and automatic stills, HD video recording and even art filters.

The six on-board art filter effects can be used in both stills and video modes. You can select and switch between popular novelty filters including fisheye, pinhole and miniature.

We found the iAuto mode performed well when shooting snapshots, and there is also an extensive range of scene modes for hands-on auto users that covers every realistic shooting scenario.

Our first impression when reviewing test shots was how good the quality appeared. Colours emerged full and well saturated in every image. There was plenty of detail present in the shadows and it was only on a few occasions that we noted highlights had blown slightly.

The competitively priced E-PL3 matches and on some occasions performs better than its competitors. It’s crammed with great features that encompass all of the practical and creative needs of a CSC user.